Legislative Briefing and Reception Takes Place in Less than Two Weeks |
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ABI’s Legislative Briefing and Reception takes place on January 12, 2022. Although the “early-bird” rate deadline has passed, you can still register online to attend this event. This is one of the best-attended events of the legislative session and members can take this opportunity to network with legislators and other members to discuss pressing issues within business and industry.
CLICK HERE to register. You can also find the agenda and learn about event and parking requirements at this link.
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DNR Air Quality Bureau Fee Meeting Next Week |
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Stakeholders are invited to participate in the annual DNR Joint Fee Advisory Group Meeting which takes place next week. The virtual meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 5th at 1:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting is for asbestos, construction permit and operating permit advisory groups to discuss fees and provide feedback on the DNR Air Quality Bureau’s budget proposal for FY23. It should be noted that the Department is proposing to maintain all fees at current levels. You can register for the meeting here. You can view the agenda here and the budget draft here. Please reach out to Brad Hartkopf if you have any initial feedback before the meeting.
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New Laws Taking Effect Jan. 1, 2022 |
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More than a dozen new laws will be applicable to all Iowans starting in the new year. The changes include laws that pertain to: property tax levies, exceptions, classifications, assessment limitations and administration; life insurance company or association cash reinvestments in repurchase agreements collateralized by securities; and data security, and investigations and notifications of cybersecurity events, for certain licensees under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of insurance.
You can find the full list of the bills passed in the 2021 sessions of the 89th Iowa General Assembly here.
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Supreme Court to Hear Challenges to President’s Vaccine Mandate Rules |
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The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two of President Biden’s Administration’s vaccine mandates on January 7, 2022. Here’s a breakdown of the developments so far:
- In October, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) outlining vaccination, weekly testing and masking requirements for private sector employers with 100 or more employees.
- In November, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay on the OSHA’s ETS. As required by the stay, the OSHA suspended its activities to implement and regulate the ETS.
- The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals won a lottery in November to hear consolidated challenges to the OSHA ETS.
- On December 18, a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit lifted the Fifth Circuit’s stay on the rule. OSHA released a statement saying it was “gratified” and “can now once again implement this vital workplace health standard, which will protect the health of workers by mitigating the spread of the unprecedented virus in the workplace.”
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenges to both the OSHA ETS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services vaccine mandate for healthcare workers on January 7. The Sixth Circuit’s decision on the OSHA ETS remains in effect until the U.S. Supreme Court issues its decision.
Right now, OSHA says it is “exercising enforcement discretion with respect to the compliance dates of the ETS” and “will not issue citations for noncompliance with any requirements of the ETS before January 10 and will not issue citations for noncompliance with the standard’s testing requirements before February 9, so long as an employer is exercising reasonable, good faith efforts to come into compliance with the standard.”
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CDC Updates Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines |
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This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidelines for the general population on COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
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Isolation Period: Isolation is behavior after a confirmed COVID-19 infection. The CDC has shortened the recommended time for isolation from 10 days to five (5) days if asymptomatic. The CDC recommends these people wear a mask for the following 5 days after isolation.
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Quarantine Period: Quarantine is the time period after exposure to COVID-19 or close contact with someone who has the virus. The CDC recommends that those who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out of their second vaccine dose and have not been boosted should quarantine for 5 days. If a quarantine period is not feasible for someone who is exposed, the CDC recommends that person wear a mask at all times around others, as well as do a test.
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WATCH: Weekly Business Report |
ABI VP of Public Policy JD Davis and Director of Public Policy Brad Hartkopf discuss how Iowa Workforce Development's Reemployment Case Management program relates to ABI's public policy priority on workforce. |
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JD Davis to Speak at Business Record's 2022 Legislative Forecast |
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ABI VP of Public Policy JD Davis will be part of a panel discussion previewing the 2022 legislative session. The Business Record is hosting this 2022 Legislative Forecast and business leaders will discuss key issues to address when the Iowa Legislature meets on Jan. 10. Topics include ways to encourage more people to come to Iowa and how to keep existing residents in the state to fight the ongoing labor shortage, broadband expansion, childcare and tax reform.
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Happy New Year from your friends at ABI!
The ABI offices will be closed on Friday, December 31st while staff members celebrate the new year with family and friends. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022!
We'll see you in 2022!
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Don't Miss These Upcoming Foundation Events! |
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Registration is now open for the 2nd Annual LI NEXT event! Held January 12 & 13, this Leadership Iowa alumni session will include tours, collaboration and inspiration featuring five alumni selected to share ideas and expertise in a series of "TEDx-style" discussions. Don't wait! Just like Leadership Iowa, this event is capped at 40 members!
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LI alumni are invited to ring in 2022 with Leadership Iowa at our annual Alumni Dinner and Celebration! This year is extra special as we celebrate 40 YEARS of Leadership Iowa with alumni across the state at Mainframe Studios in Des Moines. Gather your classmates for a fun night to reconnect, celebrate, and reminisce about favorite LI moments.
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Top Tax Planning Strategies for Your Organization
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While many think of taxes around April 15, proactive tax planning can help you minimize your federal and state tax burden and ensure you take full advantage of available credits and deductions.
CLICK HERE to learn about how you can take full advantage of available credits and deductions.
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
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Mark Your Calendars – 2022 CIRAS/iWIN Webinar Series |
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CIRAS's Iowa Workforce Innovation Network (iWIN) is a new approach to workforce planning. iWIN offers best practices, services, workshops, and research-based information to help Iowa's communities and businesses thrive. Throughout 2022, CIRAS & iWIN will host free, virtual roundtable discussions for industry leaders to share best practices and help solve problems. The first webinar of the Human Resource Series will be held January 19th and will focus on workforce. CLICK HERE to register for the January webinar and see the series schedule.
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TOP SUPPORTERS - GOVERNOR |
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