Turning Advocacy Into Results.
ABA PAC focuses on outcomes. Through targeted support and strategic advocacy, member contributions help shape policies, elections, and decisions that directly impact Arizona’s commercial and industrial construction industry.
Legislative Issues & Wins.
ABA PAC supports efforts that address real-world challenges facing Arizona’s construction industry. The examples below highlight advocacy initiatives and outcomes that have made a measurable difference for builders, contractors, and the workforce.
Regulatory & Administrative Actions
Regulatory Issue
Impact
Essential Industry Designation During COVID-19
Through direct advocacy, construction was designated an essential industry by Governor Ducey, allowing projects to continue during shutdowns and protecting thousands of jobs across Arizona.
OSHA Compliance / ADOSH Authority
Worked with ADOSH and the Legislature to maintain Arizona’s authority over workplace safety enforcement and prevent federal OSHA from taking control of state regulation.
Policy & Legislative Outcomes
Issue or Policy Area
Outcome
Career & Technical Education Funding
Successfully restored and expanded funding to allow up to four years of student support, including 9th grade participation and post-graduate training for high-demand construction and technical programs.
Public Infrastructure Investment
Supported legislation and budget actions providing billions of dollars for construction of public infrastructure, including higher education, K-12 schools, public safety facilities, veterans services, transportation, recreation, and building renewal.
Protection of Right-to-Work Laws
Defeated multiple legislative attempts to weaken or repeal Arizona’s right-to-work protections, preserving worker choice and maintaining a competitive construction market.
Prevailing Wage Prohibitions
Supported efforts to maintain Arizona’s prohibition on municipal prevailing wage mandates, preventing costly local requirements that would increase project prices and limit competition.
Procurement Flexibility (CMAR, Design-Build, JOC, APDM)
Educated lawmakers on the importance of CMAR, Design-Build, Job Order Contracting, and other APDM procurement methods, defeating efforts to require hard-bid only procurement.
Job Order Contracting (JOC) Limits
Opposed legislation attempting to impose artificially low contract limits that would restrict efficient project delivery for public agencies.
Merit Shop Protection
Defeated multiple bills that would have given union-only contractors an unfair competitive advantage over merit-shop and open-shop employers.
Statewide Heat Safety Guidelines
Worked to pass statewide guidelines that protect workers while preventing inconsistent local regulations that could disrupt construction projects.
Legal & Court Decisions
Case or Legal Challenge
Impact
Prevailing Wage Ordinance Lawsuit — City of Phoenix & City of Tucson
ABA PAC supported legal action challenging local prevailing wage ordinances that violated Arizona law. The Superior Court ruled in favor of the challenge, and the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed the decision. The ruling stopped the ordinances from taking effect and confirmed that local governments cannot impose prevailing wage mandates, protecting contractors from increased costs and preserving fair competition statewide.
Measurable Industry Impact
ABA PAC’s advocacy has helped maintain Arizona as a right-to-work, merit-shop state with broad use of alternative delivery methods such as CMAR, Design-Build, and Job Order Contracting. These policies directly affect how public projects are awarded, how contractors compete, and how efficiently infrastructure can be built.
ABA PAC influence can be seen in:
- State legislation affecting construction and workforce policy
- Procurement rules used by public agencies
- Regulatory decisions impacting project delivery
- Legal outcomes protecting fair competition
- Political activity that supports pro-growth leadership
Ongoing Advocacy
Advocacy is an ongoing effort. ABA PAC continues to monitor legislation, regulations, and legal actions to ensure Arizona’s construction industry remains strong, competitive, and free to build.