IOWA

HSB 114 – Unemployment Insurance Premium Reform

The Governor’s proposal for premium reform of the Iowa Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund has been introduced in the Iowa House. Recall that in recent years Iowa has transformed the legacy “unemployment department” into a re-employment agency at Iowa Workforce Development. Now recently unemployed Iowans are assigned caseworkers and resources in week one of unemployment. Members of the workforce that find themselves unemployed now find new employment in an average of 9.1 weeks, the lowest average in decades.

HSB 26/SF 110 – Drug and Alcohol Testing Reform

On Thursday of this week, the House Labor and Workforce Committee passed legislation reforming Iowa’s current employee drug testing law. Similar action was taken earlier by the Senate Workforce Committee. Under current law, if an employer is sued over an aspect of their drug testing protocol, the employer would bear the burden of proof that they were innocent of the allegations made in court. The bill restores the norm that plaintiffs must prove allegations. Having passed committees in both chambers the bills are available for consideration for the remainder of the session.

Business Day in Des Moines is Next Month

ABI’s annual Business Day in Des Moines event is just over a month from taking place. Business leaders from across the state will convene to hear from legislative leaders as they reveal the status of the legislative session from their perspective. Governor Reynolds has also been invited to speak. We will also have a special guest speaker that is yet to be announced. You will have the opportunity to ask questions as well. You can register here.

MINNESOTA

MPCA Confirms Registration of MN’s Initial Packaging Producer Responsibility Organization

Minnesota joins several other states in confirming Circular Action Alliance as its PRO for the Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act. In early 2024, Minnesota became the fifth U.S. state to enact an extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for packaging, food packaging, and paper products. The Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act requires producers — generally the brand owner, manufacturer, or importer — to appoint and join a producer responsibility organization (PRO) to coordinate and fund the statewide program. Continue Reading, Click Here. 

NEBRASKA

Minimum Wage Increase for Nebraska

As a reminder Nebraska Printers should know that the Minimum Wage increase has gone into effect as of January 1, 2025. NDOL | News/ Press Releases

Nebraska Paid Sick Time Law

In the November 5, 2024 election, Nebraskans appear to have overwhelmingly voted in favor of Initiative Measure 436 to create a new statewide paid sick time law that would become operative on October 1, 2025. Although the results will not be certified by the Nebraska Secretary of State until early December, given the almost 75% majority vote reported with all precincts reporting, below we highlight what we know employers should know about the anticipated law. Continue Reading, Click Here.