Are Board Retirement Age Policies Illegal?

The IRS has released Revenue Procedure 2026-24, establishing new inflation-adjusted limits for Health Savings Accounts and high-deductible health plans effective in 2027. These updates include increased contribution limits, higher minimum deductibles, and expanded out-of-pocket maximums, along with new provisions for direct primary care service arrangements under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. How will these changes impact employee benefit planning and healthcare coverage strategies?

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS recently issued temporary regulations that provide an immediately effective framework for establishing and administering “Trump Accounts,” including broad automatic enrollment and large-scale contributions funded by governmental and charitable donors. The regulations became effective September 30, 2026, apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and expire September 30, 2029.

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Allegheny County Council passed legislation requiring employers with at least 15 workers to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave, ending months-long debate on the proposal. We previously reported on the initial 18-week proposal in May 2026 (summarized here), the revised proposed legislation (summarized here), and the Allegheny County Board of Health passing the legislation (summarized here). The measure was passed in an 11-4 vote. It will become effective in one year, as County Executive Sara Innamorato signed the bill on, October 22, 2026.

The Trump Administration has launched an unprecedented enforcement action suspending permanent labor certification processing for eight major employers, linking immigration sponsorship to layoff histories and recruitment practices. This development signals a fundamental shift in how the government evaluates employer access to H-1B and green card programs, with investigations already underway and subpoenas served.

The Proposed Rule largely restores the 2021 independent contractor final rule issued during the first Trump Administration.

On March 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice in the Federal Register seeking to restructure the calculation used to issue prevailing wages for employers seeking to hire temporary foreign employees...

OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard requires covered employers to update chemical labels, written hazard communication programs, and employee training by November 20, 2026. The revisions align with the UN's Globally Harmonized System and introduce new hazard classifications, downstream use considerations, and updated requirements for compressed gases and aerosols. Employers must navigate separate compliance timelines for chemical mixtures while ensuring their workplace practices meet the updated st

Former employees in California may still have legal options to report sexual harassment that occurred during their employment, even after quitting or being terminated. Understanding filing deadlines, evidence preservation, and retaliation protections is crucial for workers considering legal action against workplace misconduct.

While it’s difficult to think about winter and the new year as we swelter through our hottest weeks of the year, the approach of Q4 means that California employers are budgeting for 2027.

In July 2026, the Department of Labor’s internal watchdog (its Office of Inspector General) said it is investigating fraud and worker abuse (such as fake applications and schemes where workers are forced to pay back part of their wages) in the H-1B program and the PERM green card process.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed multiple state housing bills into law that will take effect January 1, 2027, introducing significant changes to housing development regulations across the state. These new laws establish streamlined ministerial approval processes for various housing types, from high-density transit hub projects in major cities to townhomes and factory-built housing, while also reforming ADU regulations, permit processing requirements, and density bonus provisions. Will these legis

California's Starter Home Revitalization Act receives significant enhancements through Senate Bill 1116, expanding site eligibility criteria, limiting local zoning restrictions, and invalidating certain private deed covenants to accelerate small-lot residential subdivisions. The legislation introduces streamlined 60-day ministerial approvals while establishing new rules for lot size averaging, height restrictions, and concurrent permit processing that fundamentally reshape the pathway for starter home devel

California has enacted comprehensive legislation requiring data center developers to disclose water usage and demonstrate supply adequacy before obtaining permits. These new laws impose water supply assessments, efficiency reporting, and drought contingency planning obligations that fundamentally reshape the regulatory landscape for data center development in the state.

Mechanic's liens pose significant challenges for property owners and developers in California construction projects, even when they have fulfilled their payment obligations. Understanding the strict procedural requirements, timing deadlines, and available remedies can help owners protect their projects from improper claims and efficiently resolve legitimate liens when they arise.

California voters will soon decide on Proposition 45, the Building an Affordable California Act (BACA), which promises to revolutionize CEQA environmental review for essential projects including housing, infrastructure, and renewable energy developments. The initiative would establish vested CEQA standards, accelerated review timelines, and significantly reduced litigation risks for qualifying projects. Will this landmark reform provide the certainty developers need, or will ambiguities in its broad provisi

The Bureau of Land Management has authorized the Pearl Geothermal Development Project using a controversial 14-day expedited environmental review process, marking the first new geothermal power plant approved under emergency permitting procedures implemented in response to President Trump's national energy emergency declaration. While the project underwent multiple phases of review over several years before final approval, questions remain about whether future projects conceived after these Alternative Arra

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has approved sweeping housing reforms that dramatically reduce inclusionary affordable housing requirements and development impact fees. The legislation eliminates BMR obligations for projects under 25 units, slashes on-site requirements to 5% citywide, and cuts development impact fees by 67%, while a companion ballot measure seeks to expand the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to $125 million annually by 2036.

Does a member of a limited liability company owe a fiduciary duty to the company and the other members? Section 17704.09(a) of the California Corporations Code states that a member owes a duty of loyalty and a duty of care.

California's State Water Resources Control Board has implemented sweeping changes to water diversion measurement and reporting regulations, requiring rights holders to upgrade equipment, formalize methodologies, and submit standardized data through the new CalWATRS platform. With critical deadlines approaching in October 2026 and January 2027, water users face substantial compliance obligations backed by penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violations. What specific steps must diverters take now to ensure

California's Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued comprehensive new guidance that dramatically expands protection requirements for four candidate bumble bee species under the California Endangered Species Act. The 2026 guidance introduces strict survey timelines, seasonal construction restrictions, and mandatory onsite biological monitoring that will significantly impact project planning and budgets across the state. Project developers now face narrow construction windows, 60-day advance survey submis