2023 PLATINUM ANNUAL SPONSORS!

The Board of Governors met on May 19, 2023.

PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE

ACEC Louisiana Headed to Capitol Hill

In less than two weeks, ACEC member firms from around the country will be congregating in Washington DC for the ACEC Annual Convention and Legislative Summit. In addition to the typical conference speaker sessions and networking receptions, ACEC uses the Spring conference as an opportunity for membership organizations to meet with their respective Congressional Delegations to advocate for federal legislation and other policy issues important to the business of engineering. Listed below are the primary issues each state will advocate for on behalf of their state.

R&D Amortization:

• The Challenge 
• Prior to 2022, R&D expenses could be deducted in the year incurred.
• Now must be amortized over five years in most cases.
• Result: higher tax bills and severe cash flow problems.
• Impact: firms using lines of credit to pay the tax, putting off hiring, delaying equipment purchases, and setting aside plans to grow.
• The Solution
• Cosponsor the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act (H.R.2673)/American Innovation and Jobs Act (S. 866) to repeal the R&D amortization requirement.

Workforce Development:

• The Challenge
• Engineering workforce at full employment (BLS).
• IIJA implementation will require 82,000 additional engineers and other professionals (ACEC Research Institute).
• Significant portion of workforce near retirement (NSF).
• Women and people of color underrepresented in engineering workforce (NSF).
• The Solution
• STEM Education:
• Increasing number of STEM students to build talent pipeline over the long term.
• Funding for STEM education at local, state and federal levels.
• Funding for STEM research and technical assistance in CHIPS and Science Act.
• Immigration:
• Increase the number of H-1B Visas and recapture unused green cards
• Over half of engineering master’s degrees/doctorates awarded by U.S. universities were earned by international students in 2019 (ASEE).
• Registrations for H-1B visa lottery far exceed 85,000 available visas.

IIJA Implementation

• Overarching messages:
• Investments are helping upgrade transportation, water, energy, and communications networks and improve the quality of life for all Americans.
• America’s engineering industry is committed to delivering the promised benefits.
• Success requires a strong partnership between public agencies and the private sector.
• Key Priorities:
• Addressing workforce challenges and inflation
• Pursuing infrastructure and environmental goals
• Adopting workable Buy America procedures
• Retaining funding commitments and rejecting revenue cuts

Permitting Reform:

• The Challenges
• Projects take too long to move through the governmental approval process..
• Projects could be cancelled or are at risk due to delayed and uncertain permitting processes hampering billions of dollars of economic development enabled by IIJA, IRA and CHIPs Acts.
• The Solution
• Timely federal ER&P decisions within 1 to 2 years of a submitted complete application, depending on complexity.
• Modernize information and data management and improve interagency coordination and resources.
• Robust Judicial Review: Limit entities that do not engage during scoping phases of projects, should not be able to delay project at 11th hour via legal court filings.

In addition to the policies listed above, ACECL will also express our support for the RISEE and BREEZE Acts which seek to increase federal revenue sharing that can be dedicated to coastal restoration and flood mitigation projects.

If there are any other federal issues you would like for the Louisiana contingent to advocate for in our meetings with the Louisiana delegation, please email me at bdirmann@acecl.org.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO JUNE 15, 2023!!

Book Your Room Today!

Group Code: 24Q7G5

Book Online: http://www.Sandestin.com/24Q7G5

Sandestin Group Reservations

1-800-320-8115

Codes Training – Registration is Open!

Lake Charles and New Orleans codes session registration are open! Seating is limited.

AIA Louisiana and ACEC-L are proud to bring this series of codes related training to an area near you!

We thank both the local chapters of each area, as well as LA Department of Natural Resources for helping make these sessions a success as well as including discounted rates for attendance!

Both IBC and IRC have upgrades/updates/changes that took effect January 1^st of this year. Are

you prepared? Do you know what those changes are? July 1^st of this year, Louisiana is on track

for their first ever actual Energy Code (IECC). Never having had this before, and with great impacts to the built environment, join colleagues to learn and discuss the changes that will not only impact your projects and business, but your clients and communities as well!

June 8 New Orleans (AIA NO Center for Design)

July 12 Lake Charles (Lake Charles Country Club)

July 19 Mandeville (Beau Chêne Country Club)

• June 1 - Water Resources Committee, Cochon Restaurant, N.O.
• June 8 - Metairie/Kenner Code Training
• June 8 - 2023 Legislative Session - Sine die
• June 9 - HR Forum (Zoom)
• June 11-14 - ACEC Annual Convention & Capitol Hill Visits Washington, D.C.
• June 19 - Baton Rouge Chapter Meeting
• June 22 - Emerging Leaders Institute, Session II
• June 27 - Monroe Chapter Meeting
• June 28 - Shreveport Chapter Meeting

The tax code can be complicated and minimizing your tax payments is a need for every business, especially in times like these. As an affiliated partner with ACEC Louisiana chapter, BRAYN Consulting works directly with your CPA to assist in claiming tax incentives specifically geared towards engineering companies.  

BRAYN service offering for engineering companies includes the R&D tax credit, the 179D energy efficiency deduction and cost segregation studies. 

BRAYN offers a FREE Phase 1 to assess and estimate the potential of these specific tax programs. If you want to maximize your firm value by creating significant cash flow through claiming tax incentives for engineers, reach out to Jason Villere , jason@brayn.com (225) 337-0053, at BRAYN Consulting (www.brayn.www.brayn.com) for a FREE Phase 1 Consultation.  

Jason Villere

Director, BRAYN Consulting LLC

Email: jason@brayn.com

Mobile: 225.337.0053

Brown & Brown Insurance has the National Strength in being recognized as the top 6th largest brokerage firm in the U.S., but with a Local Presence.

Here at Brown & Brown we pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service through our commitment and proactive approach to achieving extraordinary results. Our purpose is to inform and provide you with the latest information on cost effective healthcare and keep your plan in compliance with the most up to date regulations. We do this by keeping up with the constant changes in the market and regulations, as well as our excellent carrier relations. We believe that this is the key to earning and perpetuating a successful relationship with our clients. 

As an ACEC member firm you have the opportunity to receive a health insurance quote with preferred partner pricing. Contact Elizabeth for an ACEC preferred health insurance quote today!



Elizabeth Minvielle

GBA

Vice President, Employee Benefits Division

eminvielle@bbgulfstates.com 

O (337) 266-5624  |  C (337) 380-2392

In 1984 Rick Pearson and John Dickson founded BAR Environmental Inc., formerly known as Dickson Pearson Associates. Since 1984, we have built a well-respected reputation within the Water and Wastewater Industry across the Southeast. We have formed and maintained long-term relationships with manufacturers, consulting engineers, plant managers and operators. Our goal is to provide our clients with quality products and services. We plan to continue to grow our client base and expand our geographical service territories in the future.



Matt Watson

MWatson@bar-enviro.com

205-527-2708

P O Box 2682, Baton Rouge, LA 70821

www.bar-enviro.com

Learn Driver Safety Tips That Could Save Lives and Money

Preventing work-related injuries and deaths from motor vehicle crashes, and the legal and financials impacts they cause, are high priority for every company.

Join us and The Hartford as they share stats, tips, and procedures that can help your firm avoid employee injuries, death, and nuclear verdicts by applying the five pillars of fleet safety:

1. Driver Selection
2. Driver Training
3. Driver Supervision
4. Vehicle Maintenance
5. Loss Records & Review

Topic: Driver Safety: Five Pillars of Fleet Safety

Date: June 7, 2023

Time: 4:00PM Eastern Time | 1:00PM Pacific Time

ACEC Affiliate Members

ACEC Business Insurance Trust

ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

Alexander & Sanders, a division of Cadence Insurance

BAR Environmental, Inc.

Barriere Construction Group, LLC

Benefits One, LLC

BFM Corporation, LLC

BRAYN Consulting, LLC

Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP

Brown & Brown of Louisiana

CxA Services, LLC

Cycle Construction, LLC

Durable Piling Restoration, LLC

ecko360

ELOS Environmental, LLC

Environmental Technical Sales, Inc.

Foley & Judell, LLP

Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith, LLP

Gulf South Technology Solutions

Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP

Headlight

HUB International

Industrial Fabrics

Keogh, Cox & Wilson

Lord & Winter

Quality Sitework Materials, Inc.

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn

2023 ANNUAL SPONSORS!