Phil Ammann
Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, the state’s largest construction industry trade association, honored three Republicans as its 2015 Legislators of the Year.
On Friday, ABC recognized state Sens. Alan Hays of Umatilla and Jack Latvala of Clearwater, and Rep. Keith Perry from Gainesville for their sponsorship and passage of Senate Bill 778, known as the Local Government Construction Preferences Bill.
SB 778 preempts local construction preference ordinances if 50 percent or more of state funding is used to pay for a project. The Senate version added language clarifying that when local governments determine the percentage of state funds, calculations can only include funds appropriated when the bid is released.
“These legislators share ABC’s core values of free enterprise, reasonable regulations, and a competitive marketplace for business,” said Ingram Enterprises President Gary Stout, who is 2015 ABC of Florida chair. “Senate Bill 778 ensures that when the state contributes the majority of funding for a public construction project through taxpayer dollars, that taxpayers from across the state have the opportunity to fairly compete for that work.”
ABC of Florida is the largest commercial construction association in Florida, with five chapters throughout the state and more than 2,500 member companies. It’s part of a national organization of nearly 70 chapters and 21,000 members.
“Historically, ABC awards the Legislator of the Year designation to those individuals who acted as bill sponsors on successful legislation or to those individuals who, through their exceptional efforts, helped ABC’s priorities cross the finish line,” said ABC of Florida Chief Counsel Rick Watson. “We are truly grateful to Senators Hays and Latvala and Representative Perry for their tireless efforts on behalf of ABC and Senate Bill 778 this session.”
