Effective Date Set For DOL Rule Clarifying Plan Fiduciaries' Proxy Voting Obligations

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

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.

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.

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.

The final rule goes into effect on November 9, 2020.

In a registration filing with the SEC, an investment firm is seeking approval of a series of double-leveraged bullish and bearish exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") that each track the performance of a single U.S.-listed equity security.

The Surface Transportation Board has lifted its abeyance and established a procedural roadmap for the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger proceeding, marking the official start...

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking public feedback on modernizing its accessibility framework to address rapid changes in consumer technology. The draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking examines whether existing rules keep pace with today's communications marketplace or inadvertently hinder innovation in accessibility solutions.

California's Office of Health Care Affordability has approved sweeping new regulations that dramatically expand transaction review requirements for private equity groups, hedge funds, and management services organizations acquiring or investing in healthcare entities.

Landlords of rent stabilized buildings in New York City have filed a lawsuit challenging the rent freeze passed by the Rent Guidelines Board, questioning the Board's independence and data integrity. With operating costs rising 31% over five years while the Board voted 7-1 for a freeze affecting 1 million apartments, the case raises critical questions about the balance between tenant protection and landlord viability.

The Federal Communications Commission has amended its TCPA consent revocation rules, introducing category-specific opt-outs for informational robocalls and allowing callers to designate exclusive revocation methods. The changes aim to balance consumer control with operational flexibility while addressing concerns about the previous "revoke all" requirement that could inadvertently block wanted communications like fraud alerts and security notifications.

The U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health has launched SURPASS, a groundbreaking program designed to revolutionize clinical trial design through AI-powered simulations, real-time data analysis, and adaptive modifications. How will these innovations reshape pharmaceutical development timelines and maintain America's competitive position in the global drug development landscape?

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michelle Bowman has announced a major restructuring of the Federal Reserve's supervisory function into five regional divisions, moving away from the current twelve Reserve Bank district model. The reorganization aims to address accountability concerns identified in the Silicon Valley Bank failure review, while Bowman also previewed significant changes to regulatory thresholds, the large bank tailoring framework, and supervisory ratings.

The aerospace and defense sector faces unprecedented transformation driven by military conflicts, geopolitical competition, and government intervention reshaping program funding and structure across the United States and Europe. Companies are now expected to function as strategic partners in national security and technological leadership, operating within increasingly complex compliance environments while navigating expanded defense budgets, supply chain security requirements, and evolving procurement frame