On December 1, 2016, the Department of Labor's final overtime rule will go into effect, essentially doubling the salary level that determines eligibility for overtime. Currently, workers earning more than $23,660 per year are not eligible for time-and-one-half pay for more than 40 hours per week, if they also perform certain executive, professional or administrative duties. The new rule raises that minimum salary threshold to $47,476, and will likely bring forth a significant amount of new litigation by simply raising national consciousness of an issue that has become less relevant with each passing year. Keep in mind that just because you chose to pay an office employee on a salary basis vs. on an hourly basis, does not automatically exempt payment of overtime. The overtime rule does not change the current duties test. There was an excellent article in last month's Comstock's magazine regarding the new wrinkle that the Internet has brought for all employers.

Useful Links:
https://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime/final2016/index.htm
https://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime/final2016/SmallBusinessGuide.pdf

See attached Politico Alert for important information on DIR Registration for Public Works Contractors and Electronic Certified Payroll Reporting Update.

The House approved legislation on May 23rd, aimed at stepping up sales of vacant and underused federal buildings, a move that NECA and other construction groups believe could lead to a large volume of construction work as the facilities are converted to new uses. NECA has strongly advocated that Congress should enact federal property reform legislation that incentivizes building retrofits and upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of federal buildings. Learn more here.

A revised fall protection rule for California workers laboring within 6 feet of a skylight takes effect July 1, 2016, following the standard's recent approval by the state's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. The update makes several significant changes to the state's current rule (Title 8, Section 3212), such as setting specifications for screens and nets installed below skylights and requiring training for workers if their safety depends on nets. The revision did not change such fall protection provisions as allowing the use of guardrails and fall protection systems attached to workers.

Effective June 1, 2016, the following increases will go into effect. Please be sure to use the attached cost data sheets when bidding work in these corresponding jurisdictions.

• Alameda County, Local Union 595-W
• Inside Construction Agreement
• Maintenance Agreement
• Mariposa/Merced/Stanislaus/Tuolumne Counties, Local Union 684
• Inside Construction Agreement
• San Joaquin/Calaveras Counties, Local Union 595-E
• Inside Construction Agreement
• Solano/Napa Counties, Local Union 180
• Inside Construction Agreement

• Bay to Borders Agreement
• San Joaquin/Calaveras Counties
• Solano/Napa Counties
• CE/CW MAI-MOU
• Bay Area (Alameda County and Solano/Napa Counties)
• Central Valley (Mariposa/Merced/Stanislaus/Tuolumne Counties and San Joaquin/Calaveras Counties)

Please contact Scot VanBuskirk should you have any questions. 

Bisnow Oakland is hosting its first annual Oakland Multi-Family & Mixed-Use Forum on June 28, 2016, at the Embarcadero Business Park, Oakland. Oakland multi-family has become highly attractive due to strong demand with limited supply. Get the lowdown from Oakland's top developers as they talk mega projects on the horizon. Panelists will weigh-in on the ever-expanding importance of mixed-use communities and finding value in properties where others may not. A limited number of tickets remain, so register today.

On Saturday, June 4 & 11, 2016, the ZNE Center is offering CALCTP Accetptance Testing Technician Training. For more information, visit ZNECenter.org and/or CALCTP.org.

Effective July 1, 2014, the California Energy Commission adopted changes to the California Building Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Parts 1 and 6) that require lighting controls and devices to be certified as properly installed and operational, prior to the issuance of occupancy permits. All acceptance test technicians must be employed by an acceptance test employer, which provides support as well as quality control.