Do You Have a Fever: Preparing for a Pandemic Without Violating the Americans with Disabilities Act
Employers are now dealing with the very real possibility of a coronavirus pandemic in the United States. When an “epidemic” becomes global, it becomes a “pandemic.” Employers need to develop plans now for effectively responding to employee concerns in the event of a pandemic.
Tennessee Supreme Court Upholds $750,000 Statutory Cap on Non-Economic Damages in Civil Cases
The Tennessee Supreme Court, in an opinion published February 26, 2020, upheld Tennessee’s statutory cap on noneconomic damages in civil cases, codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-39-102, which generally limits noneconomic damages, including pain and suffering, permanent injury, and loss of enjoyment of life, to $750,000.
NLRB Final Rule on Joint Employer Standard
On February 26, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) issued its final rule on the standard for determining joint-employer status for businesses and employees covered by the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”).
Congress Passes Extension for New Markets Tax Credits Program, Increases Allocation by $1.5 Billion
When some people hear the phrase New Markets Tax Credits, they might think of an obscure tax incentive. However, other people, those who deal with the program or have been directly impacted by it, think of something completely different. These individuals think of a hydroelectric generating facility found on the Kentucky River, a new health and science building at a small college in Berea that offers students a debt-free education, a brand new state-of-the-art YMCA in West Louisville that offers increased community services to society’s most vulnerable, or a Winchester facility that manufactures bio-degradable plastic items while employing those desperately in need.
New Bankruptcy Law May Increase Small Business Filings
On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 creating a new Subchapter V for small-business debtors (less than $2,725,625 in debt) becomes effective. The purpose of this act is to eliminate some of the costly elements of a business bankruptcy reorganization and streamline the procedures.
State Comments on USDA’s Interim Final Rule Governing Hemp Production
The comment period for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Interim Final Rule (IFR) has closed. Over 3,000 comments were submitted by farmers, companies, hemp industry associations, and state agriculture departments. Given their regulatory experience and the uniformity of their pushback, it seems likely that the USDA will be most receptive to the comments from the state agriculture agencies.
Information You Need on the COVID-19 Coronavirus
Stites & Harbison has assembled a Coronavirus Response Team which consists of a cross-disciplinary task force of attorneys and critical staff members to ensure our firm remains “On the Job” for you. Updated 02/04/21
IRS Finalizes Opportunity Zones Regulations
On December 19, 2019, nearly two years to the day since the enactment of the Opportunity Zones legislation (Pub. L 115-97), the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service issued 544 pages of anticipated final regulations on the Opportunity Zones program.