COVID-19
OSHA – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has yet to act on an emergency temporary standard that President Biden directed the agency to consider by March 15. Labor advocates are pushing the agency to act. A delay is not totally unexpected given the pace of the vaccine rollout, as well as the fact that the new Labor Secretary was one of the later cabinet appointments. More details.
Washington – Senate-passed legislation that assumes any worker who contracts COVID is presumed to have contracted it at the workplace until proven otherwise passed the house and is on its way to the governor’s desk for his likely signature. More details.
Liability – Arizona became the latest state to approve COVID-related liability protections for businesses. The governor signed legislation that will shield employers that acted in good faith, following health and safety guidelines and plaintiffs will have to demonstrate “clear and convincing evidence of willful misconduct and gross negligence.” More details.
Paycheck Protection Program – Massachusetts became the latest state to exempt forgiven PPP and EIDL loans from the calculation of gross taxable income. More details.
Wages
South Carolina – Legislation passed the senate prohibiting businesses from paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Massachusetts – The governor line-item vetoed portions of the COVID-relief bill relating to paid sick leave.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
Amazon – The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union unionization effort at a Bessemer, Alabama fulfillment center culminated in a decisive win for Amazon.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Nevada – Legislation advanced out of a senate committee that would not only maintain the current temporary caps on delivery fees but prohibit third-party platforms from listing a restaurant without having a contractual agreement.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
New Hampshire – Legislation requiring a food delivery service to enter into an agreement with a food service establishment or food retail store before offering delivery service from that business advanced out of a house committee.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Burbank, CA – The city council adopted a temporary cap on third-party delivery fees at 15 percent with an additional 5 percent allowed for other services.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Alabama – The senate passed legislation allowing home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Arizona – House-passed legislation that would allow third-party platforms to deliver, beer, wine, and spirits advanced out of a senate committee.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Arkansas – A house committee advanced senate-passed legislation allowing for home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits with a meal.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Florida – The senate passed legislation permanently allowing takeout and home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits when ordering food.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Georgia – The house passed senate-approved legislation that would make to-go cocktails from restaurants legal in the state.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Iowa – The house approved legislation extending delivery privileges of beer, wine, and spirits to third-party platforms like DoorDash and Grubhub.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Maryland – Legislation is on its way to the governor’s desk that would extend for two years the current law allowing for takeout and home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Tennessee – Legislation advanced out of a senate committee extending by three years the current law allowing licensed entities to sell liquor and beer by the drink for consumption on the premises or to sell alcoholic beverages and beer for off-premise consumption if certain requirements are met.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Washington – Legislation allowing for cocktails to-go and home delivery of alcoholic beverages achieved final passage and is on its way to the governor’s desk.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Misc.
Washington – House-passed legislation allowing whistleblowers to bring actions on behalf of the state for violations of workplace protections received an additional senate committee hearing this week.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe