IX-168 – New Year, New L&E Developments (Podcast)

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.

Maryland employers must comply with new posting requirements under the Worker Freedom Act, which prohibits penalizing employees who decline attendance at employer-sponsored meetings on religious or political matters. The Maryland Department of Labor has released official notices in English and Spanish that must be displayed prominently in workplaces and provided to new hires starting November 1, 2026.

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

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...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule that will shift the H-1B cap registration selection process from a random lottery to a weighted selection process...

Donald Dowling says abusive labor practices are a huge problem around the world, and often the smaller local manufacturers, miners and growers within countries that are committing labor...

Illinois employers face new requirements for Equal Pay Registration Certificate submissions as the state Department of Labor eliminates the "prefers not to identify" option for employee demographic data. Starting January 1, 2027, businesses must report definitive sex and race information for all employees, raising questions about data collection methods and compliance strategies.

The FTC secured a settlement with Growth Cave, LLC and related entities ("Growth Cave"), along with the company's co-CEOs...

The United States Embassy in India today announced it is implementing a new visa processing system throughout India.

Kentucky AG Russell Coleman filed a lawsuit against Character Technologies, Inc. and its founders alleging violations of the state's consumer protection and data privacy laws arising...

Texas AG Ken Paxton has announced a settlement with TPC Group, Inc. and TPC Group LLC (collectively, "TPC"), to resolve lawsuits alleging that TPC violated Texas law through conduct that resulted in an explosion that leveled a chemical manufacturing facility in Port Neches, Texas.

On December 5, 2024, the New York City Council approved with modifications the NYC Department of City Planning's (DCP) City of Yes for Housing Opportunity...

Thirteen Democratic AGs, led by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, have moved to intervene in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California's review of an antitrust settlement...

Texas AG Ken Paxton sued the Roblox Corporation, which operates a popular online gaming platform used predominantly by children and teens...

A bipartisan coalition of 23 AGs and several state banking regulators submitted a comment letter urging the OCC to withdraw two proposals...

A bill co-sponsored by California AG Rob Bonta which prohibits consumers' medical debt from being reported on credit reports was signed into law and will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

On November 4, 2025, New Yorkers voted to approve three amendments to the New York City Charter that aim to increase housing production, with a focus on development of affordable housing.