COVID-19

OSHA – The Biden Administration nominated Doug Parker to head the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA). He joins a growing number of Californians that have taken key positions in the Labor Department. As the head of California’s workplace safety agency, he played a key role in developing and rolling out COVID-related health and safety standards for businesses. Expect federal health and safety standards examined and developed under Parker to closely resemble those in California. More details. 

Liability – Legislation in Kentucky protecting businesses from COVID-related liability became law without the governor’s signature. A similar bill passed the North Dakota House and is on its way to the governor’s desk. More details.

Arkansas – The senate passed a restaurant relief bill. Among the provisions, it allows restaurants to expand outdoor dining without prior approval from state agencies and to delay the payment of restaurant sales taxes. It also caps the fees that a third-party delivery service may charge. More details.

Washington – Legislation that assumes any worker who contracts COVID-19 is presumed to have contracted it at the workplace until proven otherwise passed the senate and is on its way to the governor’s desk for his likely signature. More details.

Wages

Federal – Sens. Sinema and Romney announced a bipartisan effort to raise the minimum wage, likely to $11/hr. They are working with a “group of 20” moderates in the U.S. Senate to forge a compromise on raising the federal minimum wage. Romney had previously introduced a bill in Feb. to raise the wage to $10/hr. More details. 

Maine – Legislators heard two bills that would increase the minimum wage.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Washington – The legislature has approved a bill that would empower employees to place a lien on their employer’s property as a result of unpaid wages.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Paid Leave

California – A senate committee advanced legislation extending the supplemental COVID-19 paid sick leave provisions for food sector workers until Dec. 31, 2024.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

New Mexico – The governor signed a bill mandating employers provide at least 64 hours of paid sick leave each year to full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal employees with one hour accrued for each 30 hours worked.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Labor Policy

Illinois – The governor signed into law a new equal pay mandate.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

New Jersey – The state supreme court ruled that costs associated with medical marijuana prescriptions must be covered by employers through the state workers’ compensation program.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Oregon – The senate passed legislation protecting employees against retaliation or discrimination if the employee takes part in protected labor activities such as organizing.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Texas – The senate passed legislation preempting localities from enacting regulations regarding paid sick leave and employee scheduling mandates.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Alcohol

Alabama – The governor signed legislation allowing home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Arkansas – The governor signed legislation allowing for home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits with a meal.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Florida – The house passed legislation permanently allowing takeout and home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits when ordering food. The legislation which has passed the senate and is supported by the governor now awaits his signature.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Indiana – The senate passed legislation allowing for cocktails to-go. The bill was amended and now must return to the house for those changes to be accepted.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Montana – The governor signed legislation allowing cocktails to-go as well as establishing additional parameters for new and existing liquor licenses.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Washington – The governor signed legislation extending by two years the current allowance of cocktails to-go and home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Delivery

Texas – The senate passed legislation prohibiting third-party delivery platforms from listing restaurants without a prior contractual relationship.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe

Packaging

Arkansas – Legislation is on its way to the governor’s desk that would preempt localities from regulating, restricting, or taxing auxiliary containers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe