Leaders from Federal Agencies Make Major Announcements
On June 17, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of the Treasury released a revised Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application, implementing the fixes from the 蜜桔直播-backed Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act enacted June 5. The agencies also released a streamlined 鈥淓Z version鈥 of loan forgiveness application that may be used in limited circumstances. The EZ application requires fewer calculations and less documentation for eligible borrowers. Details regarding the applicability of these provisions are available in the instructions to the new EZ application form. Both applications give borrowers the option of using the original 8-week covered period (if their loan was made before June 5, 2020) or an extended 24-week covered period. These changes will result in a more efficient process and make it easier for businesses to realize full forgiveness of their PPP loan. 蜜桔直播 continues to press for improvements to the PPP and will provide further updates as they develop.
On June 15, Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) introduced the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act, legislation that would ensure Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds can be used to provide incentive payments to contractors for early completion of eligible projects. Rather than the owner agency establishing unrealistic completion dates, which could discourage some contractors from bidding on those projects, incentive payments allow contractors to determine how best to earn the incentive. This 蜜桔直播-supported measure passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in February. 蜜桔直播 will continue to support this measure as it moves forward in the legislative process.
Organizes bipartisan letter to Senate Leadership
On June 15, ahead of the markup of the legislation in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 蜜桔直播 released a full analysis of the INVEST Act, the House Democrats鈥 recently introduced surface transportation reauthorization bill. This seven-page document provides a deep dive into the provisions of the bill, including analysis on investment and funding levels, workforce related policies, environmental initiatives and regulations, project delivery and safety, technology, research, and development. A one-page overview of that analysis is also available here. As the legislative process on this bill moves forward and amendments are adopted, 蜜桔直播 will continue to provide updates on this measure.
Whether your workplace has remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, is just reopening now, or will do so sometime later this year, employers should be prepared for the possibility that some employees may refuse to work due to COVID-related safety concerns.
A federal district court on May 30 invalidated portions of a rule issued by the present National Labor Relations Board to modify the prior Administration鈥檚 regulation (often referred to as the 鈥渜uickie鈥 or 鈥渁mbush鈥 election rule) on union representation-case procedures. The Board swiftly responded by announcing that it would implement the remaining portions of the 蜜桔直播-supported rule as of May 31.
Association Survey and Data Collected by Procore Measure Impacts of the Pandemic, Showing Signs of a Construction Recovery, but Labor Shortages and Project Cancellations Show Industry Needs Federal Help
Viral Tests for Active Cases Still Allowed
蜜桔直播 and other contractor associations seeking multiemployer pension reform jointly released a new study on June 1 finding that composite retirement plans would have fared better during the coronavirus pandemic and related market declines than traditional defined-benefit multi-employer plans, allowing participants to receive higher benefits and attracting more employer participants. The study makes it clear that employees and employers stand to benefit once Congress authorizes the use of composite plans.