March 23, 2015
This Week in Congress
     Both the House and Senate will consider budget resolutions this week. The House also will consider legislation which would permanently replace Medicare’s cost-containment formula for physician payments.

The subcommittee on Workforce Protection of the House Education and Workforce Committee will hold a March 24 hearing on H.R. 548, "Certainty in Enforcement Act of 2015"; H.R. 549, "Litigation Oversight Act of 2015"; H.R. 550, "EEOC Transparency and Accountability Act"; and H.R. 1189, "Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act." The Subcommittee on Commerce Manufacturing and Trade of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a March 24 hearing entitled: “The Internet of Things: Exploring the Next Technology Frontier.”  


Auto Care Association Applauds FTC Settlement with BMW-Mini Over Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Violation
     The Auto Care Association applauded the settlement announced last week by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against the MINI Division of BMW violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. As a result of official complaints to the FTC by the Auto Care Association and other organizations, the FTC has charged that BMW’s MINI Division violated the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act by telling consumers that BMW would void their warranty unless they used MINI parts and MINI dealers to perform maintenance and repair work.  Read more...

Senate Holds Toxics Substance Control Act Reform Bill Hearing
     On March 18, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing on the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S. 697) that seeks to amend the 1976 Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). The hearing was the first step in moving the bill forward through the Senate, but it is clear that it will not be smooth sailing for the long sought-after legislation.  Read more...

Auto Care Weighs in on Proposed Ozone Standard
     On March 17, the Auto Care Association submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the agency to forgo their proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) proposal for ozone levels based on the high cost it would impose on auto care businesses. The proposal would lower the required NAAQS level to between 65 – 70 parts per billion (ppb), while the current level is 75 ppb.  Read more...

CARB Announces Second Workshop on Approving Aftermarket Diesel Particulate Filters
     The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced the details for the second public meeting on the “Criteria for the Evaluation of Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Devices,” that covers aftermarket diesel particulate filters (DPF). Under current law, original equipment DPFs are the only allowable replacement for on-road heavy duty diesel engines, model year 2007 and later, once the engine is out of warranty.  Read more...

Senator Introduces Bill to Prohibit Formation of “Micro Unions” within Companies
     On March 19, Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Employment and Workplace Safety subcommittee of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, re-introduced the Representation Fairness Restoration Act, which would prohibit unions from forming individual bargaining units within the same company consisting of as few as two or three workers, called “micro unions.”   Read more...

IRS Webinar Will Spotlight Payment Options for Individuals and Small Businesses
     The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will hold a free webinar entitled, 2015 Payment Alternatives When You Owe the IRS, on Wednesday, March 25, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. EDT. Topics include the expanded eligibility for IRS online payment agreements, and issues affecting taxpayers with complex delinquent tax obligations, such as the proper completion of collection information statements and selling or refinancing property when there are federal tax liens.  Read more...

 
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