COVID-19
Restaurant Revitalization Fund – More than 186,000 restaurants, bars, and other food and beverage businesses applied for assistance from the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) during the first two days after the program’s application window opened May 3. All eligible food and beverage providers are allowed to apply to the RRF, but for the first 21 days the SBA will prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially / economically disadvantaged individuals. After the first 21 days, the SBA will fund all eligible applications on a first-come, first-serve basis. Approved applicants should expect an average of 14 days for processing, review, approval, and distribution of funds, according to the SBA. More details.
Paycheck Protection Program – The Small Business Administration also announced this week that the program has officially allocated all of its available funds and will no longer accept new applications. Some money remains available for lenders to finish processing pending applications that were already submitted to the agency. It is unclear if Congress will replenish those funds in the near future. More details.
Liability – South Carolina’s governor signed legislation protecting businesses from COVID-related liability. More details.Additionally, similar legislation passed the Missouri house and it’s on its way to the Missouri senate for further consideration. More details.
San Diego County, CA – The county delayed a vote on a proposal that would waive all restaurant permitting fees for one year in an effort to help restaurants rebound from COVID-related losses. No reason was given for the delay but the issue is scheduled to be revisited June 8. More details.
Wages
Connecticut – The governor signed legislation removing COVID-related claims from counting against the state’s unemployment compensation fund.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Maine – The state supreme court heard an appeal filed by the Portland Chamber of Commerce which attempted to overturn a 2020 voter-approved minimum wage ballot initiative.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
New Jersey – The governor released his budget plan for fiscal year 2022. It includes a provision providing $240 million in wage increases for direct support professionals, certified nurse aides, personal care assistants, Medicaid transportation providers and child care workers impacted by COVID-19.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Rhode Island – Legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15/hr by 2025 passed the house. Both chambers have now passed almost identical bills but neither chamber has officially passed the other’s bill which needs to happen before it goes to the governor’s desk for expected signature.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Washington, DC – The mayor signed legislation removing COVID-related claims from counting against the city’s unemployment compensation fund.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Scheduling
Connecticut – A senate committee advanced legislation requiring large employers (at least 250 employees – including franchise systems) to provide 14 days advance notice of work schedules.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
Labor Department – The agency nullified a yet-to-take-effect Trump-era rule that would have allowed employers more flexibility in designating some workers as independent contractors.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Kansas – A conference committee was appointed to iron out differences in legislation that passed both chambers permanently allowing Cereal Malt Beverages (3.2% or lower) to-go from restaurants and bars.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Missouri – Two house committees advanced senate-passed legislation allowing for cocktails to-go.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Oklahoma – Legislation is on its way to the governor’s desk extending by one year the current law allowing cocktails to-go and home delivery of alcohol.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Illinois – Legislation prohibiting third-party delivery services “from using the likeness, registered trademark, or intellectual property belonging to a merchant without obtaining written consent from the merchant” has passed the senate and is awaiting action in the house.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Missouri – Both the house and senate passed legislation providing a framework for relationships between restaurants and third-party delivery platforms.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
New Hampshire – A senate committee advanced legislation prohibiting a third-party food delivery service from advertising or delivering from a retail food establishment without a prior, written agreement.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Ann Arbor, MI – The city council heard legislation that would cap fees on third-party delivery platforms at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Packaging
Rhode Island – Legislation banning single-use plastic straws unless requested by a customer passed the senate and is pending in the house.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe