Changes are afoot for federal construction contractors in the United States, as the Davis-Bacon Act and the Davis-Bacon Related Acts undergo significant modifications. As detailed in a recent posting on JD Supra, the Department of Labor (DOL) is implementing adjustments that will increase both prevailing wage and fringe benefit requirements for contractors working on government…
As part of a continual effort to battle human trafficking, the federal government has proved its dedication to maintain a zero-tolerance policy. Late last year, President Biden served to bolster these ongoing efforts by authorizing bipartisan legislation that takes a robust stand against this illicit trade. A critical element within this legislation is the heightened…
The past two years have marked a notable increase in both federal and state efforts to address historical environmental injustices in the United States. This surge is not an overnight phenomenon; rather, it’s the fruition of long-standing advocacy work tracing back to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The growing awareness and prioritization of…
Switzerland is considering the implementation of tougher anti-money laundering laws, according to a report by Hugo Miller and Bryce Baschuk of Bloomberg. The Swiss government has initiated consultations on a draft bill aimed at enforcing the “integrity and competitiveness” of Switzerland as an investment hub. The consultations are planned to remain open through November 29,…
In a recent move by the US government, the approach to negotiating Medicare drug prices could potentially discourage the production of cheaper alternatives, known as biosimilars, for some of the more complex and pricer pharmaceuticals. This issue has raised concern among drug policy analysts who monitor sectors with high Medicare spending. The White House has…
On the heels of a contentious 2023 presidential election in Gabon, a faction of Gabonese soldiers claimed to have seized control of the nation via a televised announcement. Having formed the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), these soldiers disposed of the election results that pronounced President Ali Bongo the victor amidst…
An opportunity arose last week when the IRS delayed its enforcement of the new law that mandates workers earning over $145,000 a year to make catch-up contributions solely on a Roth (post-tax) basis. This hold, which extends until 2026, was influenced by the efforts of the benefits community and retirement plan sponsors who called on…
Legislators of the People’s Republic of China have initiated deliberations on a preschool education law. This proposed legislation underscores a firm commitment to providing accessible preschool education for all children in China. The draft law was tabled for discussion during the current session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The need for…
The Melbourne law firm Arnold Block Leibler, despite its smaller size of just 43 partners and 150 lawyers, holds significant sway in the legal landscape. This is evidenced by its recently held 70th-anniversary celebration, which played host to a notably influential guest list. An assortment of individuals from across government, politics and corporate Australia were…
Over 100 former clerks for Justice Clarence Thomas recently signed an open letter to reject what they perceive as attacks on his integrity, character, and ethics. The letter doesn’t necessarily explain why accepting sizable gifts without disclosure, as required by federal law, should be disregarded. The broad spectrum of signees includes some rather contentious figures,…
Attorneys representing a group of nonprofit organizations who have recently won a $125 million settlement from the U.S. government, regarding charges for using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system (PACER), have made a significant request. The legal team has asked a federal judge in Washington, D.C. to assign around $23 million from the…
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program is a crucial funding source for small businesses. This governmental program provides long-term capital to American small businesses and is an impactful means for these enterprises, especially manufacturers and suppliers, to secure necessary financial resources. This in-depth series, presented by PilieroMazza, unpacks the intricacies…
On August 24, 2023, the National Government of Colombia introduced Bill No. 166 to the House of Representatives. This bill seeks a labor reform aimed at establishing “dignified and decent work” in Colombia. The changes proposed in this new bill will alter the Substantive Work Code (CST). The CST is the primary set of regulations…
The Inflation Reduction Act is proceeding as planned, with the recent introduction of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This program is a pivotal development aimed towards controlling skyrocketing drug costs via a negotiation scheme involving the Federal Government. Initiated on August 29, 2023, the program has already begun to draw attention within legal circles…
In a significant development, the U.S Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced the introduction of a two-year administrative transition period. This transition period effectively delays the new rule stipulating that catch-up contributions made by certain higher-income participants in 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans must be deemed as after-tax Roth contributions until 2026. It can…
The UK government has recently signaled an interest for the introduction of a permanent superfund regulatory regime. This comes after the considerable interest generated by Clara-Pensions’ approval as a “superfund”, or pension consolidator, towards the latter part of 2021. As a result, the market has been generally optimistic expecting the emergence of more pension superfund…
In the modern era marked by a deluge of data, maintaining Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance becomes a distinct challenge for legal professionals navigating the digital landscape. The proliferation of information online, from social media and web 3.0 content to open-source government records and regulatory actions enables the potential for misuse, increasing the need for robust…
The California state government has filed a lawsuit against a local school district, contesting a policy that requires school staff to communicate with parents if a student wishes to be recognized by a different name or pronoun, effectively “outing” transgender students. The contentious policy is being challenged for its constitutional viability, igniting a debate regarding…
Considering engaging a trendy influencer to finally get your firm’s presence booming on platforms like TikTok and YouTube? It’s a common and potentially fruitful strategy, but a word of caution: you need to familiarize yourself with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s updated social media guidelines. Ignorance isn’t bliss in this scenario – falling afoul of…
On August 25, 2023, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced a crucial revision to its Combined Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing. This revision has immediate implications for compliance evaluations scheduled on or after August 24, 2023, bringing about changes to supply and service agreements. Proskauer, a leading firm in government contractor compliance,…
In a regulatory climate that continues to place increasing emphasis on pay transparency, legal professionals need to be aware of the latest legal obligations set to affect our operations – starting with the New York State Pay Transparency Law. Scheduled to go into effect on September 17, 2023, the law places codified responsibilities on employers…
In a recent case, Innovative Technologies, Inc., ASBCA No. 6186, 62185, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA or the Board) made it clear that a failure on the part of the federal government to include or incorporate the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) FAR Clause 52.222-41 (the SCA Clause) in a contract, does…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a notice that allows plans two years to meet the SECURE 2.0 requirement clause aimed at higher income participants in Section 401(k), 403(b), and government 457(b) plans. According to the statement, Notice 2023-62, distributed on Friday, August 23, 2023, it introduces a significant relief to these participants who…
In the rapidly changing landscape of privacy laws, recent legislation such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) has highlighted the increasing intention of state legislators to regulate the processing of personal information. Notably, this wave of privacy legislation is not confined to state governments, and extends to Tribal governments as well. Therefore, professionals tasked…
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revealed the initial ten drugs that will be incorporated in the Inflation Reduction Act’s new Drug Price Negotiation Program for its first year. This announcement marks a significant step in the governmental efforts to control the escalating costs of prescription drugs. Published through JDSupra by…