Nevada Requires Civil Air Patrol Leave

Nevada has enacted legislation (Assembly Bill 422), which requires employers to provide unpaid leave to volunteer members of the Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol for training or emergency missions.

Nebraska Amends Paid Sick Leave Requirements

Nebraska has enacted legislation (LB415), which amends the Nebraska Healthy Workplaces and Families Act (“the Act”). The Act is effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Maryland Delays Paid Family Leave Program Again

Maryland has enacted legislation that will delay for a third time the implementation of a program that will provide job protection and wage-replacement benefits to employees who need time off from work for certain family and medical reasons.

Illinois Clarifies Pay Rules for Breaks for Nursing Mothers

Illinois has enacted legislation clarifying that employers must pay employees at their regular rate of compensation during breaks taken under the state’s Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act. The clarification is a result of the enactment of Senate Bill 212 and is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Illinois Amends Blood and Organ Donation Leave Law

Illinois has enacted legislation that amends the state’s Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act to also entitle part-time employees to paid organ donation leave. The change is a result of the enactment of House Bill 1616 and becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026.

California Increases Minimum Pay Requirements for 2026

The general minimum wage in California will increase from $16.50 per hour to $16.90 per hour on Jan. 1, 2026. The change is a result of an annual adjustment for inflation and will also affect the minimum salary required to be classified as exempt from overtime under state law.

California - City of Los Angeles Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Now in Effect

City of Los Angeles Ordinance 188610, which raises the minimum wage to $22.50 for employees working at hotels with 60 or more rooms was originally slated to go into effect on July 1, 2025.

However, business groups launched a referendum campaign to overturn Ordinance 188610 so the implementation of the new pay rate of $22.50 (up from $21.01) was put on hold pending the outcome of the petition effort.

President issues Proclamation Increasing H-1B Visa fee to $100,000

The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring highly specialized knowledge. Before the Proclamation took effect, private employers would submit a $780 fee to sponsor a petition along with additional fees of approximately $1,800 to $2,600. The government holds an annual lottery to select those workers who will gain the visa.

End of 2021 TPS Designation for Venezuela

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced the termination of the 2021 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela. Originally, the 2021 designation for Venezuela was set to expire on Sept. 10, 2025. DHS has indicated that Venezuela TPS beneficiaries under the 2021 designation continue to be employment-authorized during a 60-day transition period through Nov. 7, 2025.

Early Guidance Issued under H.R. 1, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The H.R. 1, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the Act), was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The Act includes several significant changes that are relevant to companies for payroll, employment tax and employee benefits purposes, with some key provisions effective retroactively as of Jan. 1, 2025. For additional background information, review our prior article.

News