Newsline

New Drone Registration Requirements

Under new rules, effective Dec. 21, 2015 the Federal Aviation Administration is requiring anyone who buys a small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that is more than .55 lbs and less than 55 lbs to register it before it is flown outside. Registration of the UAS can be done through the online registry for a fee of $5; the registration is valid for three years. Individuals who previously owned and operated a UAS have until Feb. 19, 2016 to register. 
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Deadlines Looming for ACA Employer Mandate and Reporting Requirements

Effective Jan. 1, 2016, under the employer mandate provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers with 50-99 full-time employees and full-time equivalent employees (applicable large employers) must offer full-time employees (and dependents) minimum essential coverage that is affordable and provides minimum value or be subject to heavy penalties. Note: effective for the 2015 calendar year, such employers are subject to reporting requirements (refer to Reporting Requirements section below). READ MORE

OSHA Releases Latest Regulatory Agenda

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its latest regulatory agenda on Nov. 20. The agenda lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemakings they expect to release in 2016, their final year. An update on rulemakings affecting the construction industry is below. READ MORE

Compliance Alert –ACA Employer Reporting Requirements – Deadlines Approaching

Are you in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements? To learn about the reporting requirements and important upcoming deadlines, a webinar presented by ABC’s general counsel, Littler Mendelson is available for ABC members to view, which can be found. A login is required to view the webinar titled “Compliance Alert—Learn
About the Affordable Care Act’s New Reporting Requirements for 2015” and a PowerPoint is also available.   READ MORE

Two-Year Budget Deal Signed by President Obama Carries Implications for Contractors

President Obama Nov. 2 signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314), which suspended the application of the debt limit until March 2017 and ensured that the United States would meet its financial obligations. The deal was approved by a bi-partisan group of legislators the Unites States Senate Oct. 30 and the House of Representatives on Oct. 28. READ MORE

OSHA’s Confined Spaces in Construction Rule in Full Effect

Employers can now be cited for not complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) confined spaces in construction final rule. A temporary enforcement policy of not issuing citations--provided employers made good-faith efforts to comply--expired on Oct. 2. READ MORE

OFCCP Issues Final Pay Transparency Rule for Federal Contractors

On Sept. 10, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued its final rule
prohibiting federal contractors and subcontractors from terminating or otherwise discriminating against employees who discuss their compensation with co-workers or job applicants. This rule implements the Obama administration’s Equal Pay initiative under Executive Order 13665 and will take effect on Jan. 11, 2016. READ MORE

Health Care Compliance Alert: Employer Mandate and New Reporting Requirements

Are you in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions that went into effect in 2015? Please join ABC National on Oct. 8 at 2 pm EDT for an informative webinar on the new ACA reporting requirements—learn more. READ MORE

Health Care Compliance Alert: IRS Releases Draft Instructions for ACA Reporting Forms

As required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Treasury (Treasury) Aug. 28 released draft information reporting form instructions that employers will use to report on the health coverage they offer their employees. This impacts employers with 50 or more full-time employees and full-time-equivalent employees as well as employers that self-insure. Effective 2015, employers must collect the information required to be reported under ACA and, beginning in 2016, file the information reporting returns with the IRS. Learn more by reading the update from Littler Mendelson, ABC’s general counsel . READ MORE

House Passes Bipartisan Regulatory Reform Bills

The U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills in bipartisan votes that will help reform the regulatory process. The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 367) passed 232-183 on Aug. 2 and the Energy Consumers Relief Act (H.R. 1582) passed 232-181 on Aug. 1.
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