House Democrats Include COVID-19 Presumption for Longshore and FECA in Budget Reconciliation 2021
On February 10, 2021, the US House Education and Labor Committee, Chaired by Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), voted to report legislative language to be part of the 2021 Budget Reconciliation bill. Click here for the fact sheet. Click here for the language proposed as a substitute by the Chairman. Section 2104 of the legislative language provides in part that: SEC. [...]
UWC Files Comments on new Black Lung Self Insurance Requirements
On February 5, 2021, UWC filed comments on proposed Black Lung Self Insurance Guidelines. The guidelines that were released on January 4, 2021 by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) describe the agency’s updated process for evaluating self-insurance applications under the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA). The BLBA requires coal mine operators to secure the payment of benefits by [...]
President Biden Orders Development of National Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines for COVID
In one of his Executive Orders on January 21st, President Biden ordered the development of federal guidance for Occupational Safety and Health. The order addresses issues that are temporary in response to COVID-19 but also begins to address longer term issues. In particular, Section 2 of the Executive Order provides that within two weeks of the order (February 4, 2021), [...]
President Biden Signs Order Asking USDOL to Consider Refusal of Work Guidance for UI
On January 22, 2021, President Biden signed a series of executive orders, including an order addressing economic relief. This order includes the following provision:Help ensure that unemployed Americans no longer have to choose between paying their bills and keeping themselves and their families safe from COVID-19 by asking the U.S. Department of Labor to consider clarifying that workers who refuse [...]
Georgia $1.5 billion Coronavirus Fund Allocation will Save Millions in UI Taxes and Promote Recovery
On October 14, 2020 Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that Georgia will allocate $1.5 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds to the state unemployment trust fund to save Georgia employers millions of dollars in state and federal unemployment taxes, prevent significant layoffs, and save the state millions of dollars in interest payments. According to the Georgia Department of Labor: By allocating [...]
House Democrat Stimulus Proposal Would Dramatically Expand Unemployment Compensation
On September 28, 2020, Speaker Pelosi released the summary of the Updated Version of the HEROES Act for consideration in response to the Coronavirus and as an economic stimulus. The proposal would dramatically increase administrative funding and unemployment compensation for individuals impacted by COVID-19 and the ensuing recession. (see section by section summary) Provisions of particular interest for Unemployment Insurance [...]