The construction industry has been experiencing unprecedented volatility in material prices, material delays, and material unavailability, in part, because of supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has become a difficult issue, especially for subcontractors with lump-sum or fixed-price contracts, where the subcontractor’s…
This year, a variety of important revisions were made to employment laws at both the Federal and State of Maryland levels. It is critical that employers take notice of these changes to ensure that they are in compliance with the applicable requirements. Revisions to the…
When two businesses engage in a transfer of assets, the transferee (the “successor”) should be mindful of the fact that under certain narrow circumstances, it may inherit the liabilities of the transferor (the “predecessor”). As a general rule, a company that acquires only the assets…
When Bidding on Public Contracts in Maryland, Contractors Need to Remember That a Certified MBE’s Participation Only Counts Toward the Contract’s MBE Goals if the MBE is Identified as Performing a Commercially Useful Function for the Contract (Not for the Prime Contractor’s bottom line) In…
Last year, during the 2019 Maryland General Assembly, state lawmakers voted to pass a bill that gradually increases Maryland’s minimum wage rate from $10.10 per hour to $15.00 per hour over the next several years. Governor Larry Hogan originally vetoed the bill, stating that the…
On September 23, 2019, the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a published decision invalidating the release of a construction claim because the Government and the contractor continued to negotiate the claim after the parties signed a release. In Meridian Engineering Company v. United…
The U.S. Department of Labor (“Department”) is clarifying and updating the regulations governing the regular rate requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). On December 12, 2019, the Department announced a Final Rule that will allow employers to more easily offer perks and benefits…
When it convenes on January 8, 2020 in Annapolis, the first bills to be introduced before the General Assembly aim to complete billions of dollars of school construction projects throughout the state. House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1, dubbed the “Built to Learn Act…
Under the Maryland Uniform Interstate Discovery Act (“Interstate Discovery Act”), “when it is necessary to obtain the testimony of a person who lives in Maryland, parties to litigation in a sister state have the very same rights as parties to litigation in a Maryland court.” …
Every construction project carries a risk of monetary loss. For example, a worker could be injured, the project could be delayed, or the owner could simply refuse to pay for certain project work. Any of those adverse occurrences (not to mention almost limitless others) would…
Receive the latest news and updates from HLG.
