The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) recently received the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies’ 2014 Innovation in Regulation Award, an award that recognizes innovation, creativity, and excellence in regulation of contracting/construction industries. NSCB was recognized for its efforts in 2012 to partner with The Home Depot and local…
On August 22, 2014, the Texas Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in the case of Houston Unlimited, Inc. Metal Processing v. Mel Acres Ranch. While reversing the appellate court that affirmed the jury verdict awarding the plaintiff almost $350,000 in lost market value based on the “stigma” clinging to…
All too often the California Contractors State License Board issues a press release confirming that it has cited numerous individuals for, among other things, unlawfully advertising as contractors when they are not, in fact, licensed contractors. However, California’s Contractors’ State License Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 7000, et…
The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) in its Horizons (Aug. 2014) sets forth tips designed to help Nevada contractors to contract for work and to work within Nevada’s contractors’ law. This handy checklist may be helpful to contractors in other states as well. For additional information about Nevada’s contractor’s law…
On August 20, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reviewed the lower court’s decision to grant summary judgment to the Department of the Interior in a case involving the Department’s enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Golden Eagle Protection Act (GEPA). These…
Last year, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied a request for a preliminary injunction to stop the construction of a domestic oil pipeline known as the Flanagan South Pipeline that is to be constructed under the supervision of Enbridge Pipelines, LLC. In that decision, reported at…
Today, Pillsbury attorney Joël Van Over published his advisory titled Corrective Action Catch 22: Court of Federal Claims Holds Agency Action Must Be Rational Even If GAO Protest Decision Was Not. The Advisory discusses the U.S. Court of Federal Claims’ July 15, 2014 decision in RUSH Construction, Inc. v. United…
In the case of Sierra Club, et. al., v. EPA, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that EPA cannot rely on Chevron deference to authorize its grant of a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit to Avenal Power Center based on superseded National Ambient Air Quality…
Recently President Obama issued an Executive Order purportedly seeking to increase efficiency and cost savings in the work performed by parties who contract with the Federal Government by ensuring that they understand and comply with labor laws. In sum, the Executive Order requires contractors seeking federal contracts to disclose labor…
On August 8, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued a ruling affirming the lower court’s holding that Union Pacific (UP) did not breach the tolling agreement it entered into with ASARCO, LLC while a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) dispute was being resolved with EPA.…