With the majority transition now set in stone, a timeline for any new farm bill in 2023 largely rests with the House and depends on the funding level for food and nutrition, which takes up around 85% of all farm bill spending.
Read moreMulti-state employers may find compliance with new state laws regarding marijuana legalization a daunting task. Employers should check the requirements in each operating jurisdiction and any industry, safety or licensing-specific requirements that affect drug policies and testing.
Read moreNAEDA is speaking out against a “right-to-repair” private member’s bill that would amend the Copyright Act to allow Canadians to circumvent computer software to diagnose, maintain, or repair a product, whether that’s a phone, a household appliance, a car, or a tractor.
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A recently file lawsuit is challenging Connecticut’s recently enacted law that bans employers from discussing workplace issues, including union representation and pending legislation or regulations, with their employees.
Read moreThe National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) released its notice of proposed rulemaking on the joint employer standard. The notice was published in the Federal Register on September 6, kicking off a 60-day comment period.
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In the middle of the U.S. Senate’s flurry of amendments and votes this week on a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation
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Supporters say it would ensure jobs created by the infrastructure proposal are higher-paying. Opponents say the legislation would impose sweeping changes to labor laws that have little to do with the president’s spending plan and amount to a giveaway to unions.
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Fifteen states have adopted laws that provide businesses civil liability protection from COVID-19 claims. Another 23 states have similar pending legislation. Several states are considering vaccine-related laws.
Read moreNew trade chief brings experience on China at a time when stakes are especially high.
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The Association continually monitors state legislation relevant to the shortline farm equipment industry. In past months, it has also begun tracking bills dealing with COVID-19 liability. Here is a snapshot of issues we are following.
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With the boost in government aid, which is on top of the 64 percent increase in 2019, farmers are projected to see a 43 percent increase in net farm income in 2020.
Read moreIf confirmed, Vilsack will face challenges related to diminished trade, a decline in rural populations, a mandate to combat climate change, and a burdened food stamps program.
Read moreIn his farewell, he called on his colleagues to “once again become a body of respect, humility, cooperation, achievement, and, yes, friendship.”
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The IRS is disallowing tax deductions on PPP expenses if a company “reasonably believes” that a loan may be forgiven.
Read moreAssociation members should stay abreast of new legal obligations in California. Attorneys who focus on HR law offer their thoughts here.
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Agriculture committees in both the the U.S. Senate and House are headed for change based on last week’s election results.
Read moreCalifornia has revised a labor code to give employees the right to designate sick leave for caring for family and obtaining relief if victimized by violence, assault, or stalking.
Read moreThe American Farm Bureau asked the candidates to discuss rural life and health, regulatory reform, trade, and more. In this issue, see the candidates’ platforms on taxes.
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Beginning this month, employers can stop withholding part of employees’ share of Social Security taxes. The IRS will recoup the funds from employee paychecks in the first four months of 2021.
Read moreThe IRS in April issued guidance stating that expenses are not deductible if their payment results in a PPP loan being forgiven. The guidance has been criticized by some key lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who argue it goes against congressional intent.
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The White House said certain types of aluminum were surging into the U.S. and depressing the industry. The administration argued that a depressed U.S. aluminum industry threatens national security and imposed a 10-percent tariff.
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The state estimates that hundreds of millions of bushels of commercial grain storage and tens of millions of bushels of on-farm grain storage were lost in the storm.
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The administration seems open to the possibility of extending the timeline to meet obligations of Payroll Protection Program, although a 24-week window is uncertain.
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Proposals include extending the timeline on PPP and allowing businesses to use more of the funds for overhead. Some lawmakers want to create new funding vehicles.
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The new standards would require companies to develop protocols for each element of an entire program. The so-called emergency temporary standard would give regulators the power to issue citations or fines.
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Lawmakers agree that small business businesses need more in a COVID-19 rescue package, but negotiations stalled over details. Resolution is expected this week.
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The $2.2 trillion response deal allows small businesses to acquire grants and loans up to 125 percent of their payroll with the opportunity for loan forgiveness for businesses that can quickly ramp up or sustain their workforces.
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New stimulus bill provides billions in loans to small businesses that can be converted to grants that will not require repayment.
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The bill requires employers of small companies to pay up to $511 a day for sick leave and up to $200 a day for family leave.
Read moreThe group’s guiding principles call for policies that support science-based research, voluntary incentive-based conservation programs, investment in infrastructure, and solutions that ensure vibrant rural communities and a healthy planet.
Read moreCiting the potential for “mass confusion, chaos and delays” at U.S. airports starting Oct. 1, members of Congress last week introduced legislation to head off travel disruption caused by the Real ID deadline.
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Farm and ranch groups representing millions of U.S. producers are launching a coalition committed to environmental and economic sustainability.
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EDA’s Natalie Higgins said the association has “worked in lockstep” with AEM and other associations to oppose “an onslaught of so-called right-to-repair bills …”
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The Trump administration has boosted the number of workers eligible for overtime, extending pay requirements for about 1.3 million people.
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This action officially ends an egregious power grab and sets the stage for a new rule that will provide much-needed regulatory certainty for farmers, home builders, and property owners nationwide.
Read moreEPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said it is “irresponsible to require labels on products that are inaccurate when EPA knows the product does not pose a cancer risk.”
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Illinois has joined the national trend of banning questions regarding a job applicant’s salary history. It is effective Sept. 29.
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A U.S. Appeals court has affirmed a preliminary injunction against a statute regulating relationships between manufacturers and farm equipment dealers. Our Association is not a party to the case but hopes the courts ultimately rule that competing products can occupy space together on a dealer’s lot.
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Senate Finance Committee Chuck Grassley warned the European Union on Tuesday that insisting on excluding agriculture from any trade deal
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Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley and five other leading Republican senators went to the White House last week to level
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) rolled out an extensive agriculture platform during a recent campaign stop in Iowa. It included a
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