Situational Awareness
Both the House and Senate are in session this week. The House is scheduled to consider several bills related to so-called “culture war” and public safety issues, including legislation that would amend Title IX regulations to clarify that transgender students would not be allowed to participate in athletic programs designated for women. Lawmakers in the House are also expected to consider legislation aimed at streamlining post-disaster preliminary damage assessments and a measure that would bolster transparency of disaster assistance disbursements.
Across Capitol Hill, the Senate will continue consideration of the Laken Riley Act, legislation that would require federal officials to detain and deport immigrants charged with shoplifting and other theft-related crimes. The House passed the bill last week along bipartisan lines. Several moderate Democrats from swing states were quick to offer their support for the legislation, reflecting a shift within the Senate Democratic Caucus on immigration-related policy measures. The Senate will also begin its first series of confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominations.
OSHA Accepts Public Comments on Proposed Heat Standard Rule
On Tuesday, January 14, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will close the comment period for its proposed rulemaking on “Heat Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.” The proposed rule would require employers with more than 10 workers to develop and implement a worksite heat injury and illness prevention plan (HIIPP) when workers are exposed to an “initial heat trigger” of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Under the HIIPP, workers exposed to these temperatures would have to be provided access to drinking water and readily accessible break areas. NCA will provide comments to OSHA on behalf of its members, requesting that the agency refrain from finalizing the overburdensome rulemaking and allow employers to implement their own workplace safety plans developed in coordination with workers.
Federal Judge Upholds Independent Contractor Rule—Again
A federal judge in New Mexico ruled that a trucking company lacked standing in its challenge of the Department of Labor’s updated independent contractor rule, delivering another loss for employers who have argued that the new classification test finalized last year would restrict business’s options for hiring flexibility and cost-savings. In her opinion, Judge Kea W. Riggs of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico wrote that Colt & Joe Trucking lacked standing to sue because the company could not prove that it had suffered any concrete injuries because of the rule.
There are currently four other legal challenges pending against the rule. A Georgia federal judge in October dismissed a challenge by freelancers, finding they failed to establish standing to sue over the updated rule. An appeal is pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Trump Holds SALT Deduction Talks at Mar-a-Lago
Over the weekend, President-elect Donald Trump hosted House Republicans from New York, New Jersey and California to discuss increasing the total state and local tax deduction for individual and joint filers, commonly referred to as the SALT deduction. In 2017, lawmakers put a $10,000 cap on the deduction to help cover the coast of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Many of the provisions included in the tax bill are set to expire at the end of this year, spurring negotiations on a broader package of extensions and, most importantly, how to pay for such extenders.
Last year, when House lawmakers passed their own tax package, which would pair an expansion of the child tax credit with business tax breaks, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) promised a group of moderate New York Republicans that the House would vote on legislation raising the SALT deduction cap in exchange for their support. This time around, if given the green light by President-elect Trump, Johnson could make a similar deal to guarantee that he receives as much support as possible on a budget reconciliation package.
NCA Gov. Relations Committee Meets This Week
NCA’s Government Relations Committee will meet this week to discuss the NCA Policy Agenda and provide any recommended changes to the Board of Directors for debate and approval. The NCA Policy Agenda has been operative since 2020 and is used as a guide for determining how the association evaluates its position on legislation and regulations. The Agenda is updated every two years to coincide with the Congressional and Presidential elections.
Webcast: Trends in Club Management
Join us on Tuesday, January, 21 at 3pm EST, for a special Club Trends webcast on excellence in club management. Based on the new issue of Club Trends, this webcast offers valuable insights on the most effective techniques for hiring, training, retaining, motivating and leading today’s team members. We’ll also provide an update on how the best club managers can be recognized through the Excellence in Club Management® Awards, co-sponsored by McMahon Group and NCA.
This webcast is free for all clubs and staff. Register here.