West Virginia Legislature Update: Member Danielle Waltz Discusses Two Bills of Interest
March 12, 2021
Watch Danielle Waltz discuss two bills of interest: COVID liability legislation and WV's determination of independent contractor status.
The Legal Brief
Legislation
West Virginia Employment Law Worker Classification Act Heads to the Governor for Signature
March 12, 2021
On March 11, 2021, the West Virginia Legislature completed legislative action on Senate Bill 272, the West Virginia Employment Law Worker Classification Act. The Employment Law Worker Classification Act (the “Act”) establishes a single, statewide standard to evaluate whether an individual providing services to a business is an independent contractor or a bona fide employee. The Act will now head…
West Virginia Legislature Concludes Action on COVID-19 Jobs Protection Act
March 11, 2021
On March 11, 2021, the West Virginia Legislature concluded legislative action on Senate Bill 277, the COVID-19 Jobs Protection Act (the “Act”). The Act provides liability protection to persons and entities by prohibiting certain claims arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19, or impacted care. The Act will now head to Governor Jim Justice, who is expected to sign the Act into law.
The new…
Coronavirus Relief Package Offers New Trademark Rules
December 28, 2020
The president signed into law a multi-trillion-dollar spending and relief package which includes the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TM Act of 2020), making several technical changes to the Lanham Act. The new rules could fundamentally alter how intellectual property owners protect and enforce their rights.
In the United States, with some limited exceptions, a trademark must be used to…
iRobot: Pennsylvania Legislators Legalize Delivery Robots Under Pedestrian Classification
December 4, 2020
Last month, the Pennsylvania legislature passed Senate Bill 1199 (the “Bill”), which will make it legal for autonomous delivery robots to utilize sidewalks and roadways throughout the state of Pennsylvania. The Bill amends Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which focuses on vehicles, and allows for Personal Delivery Device (“PDD”) to access pedestrian areas. Under the Bill a PDD…
Update from Government Relations Team
April 2, 2020
During a 2020 legislative session marked by discussions of improvements to West Virginia’s foster care system, new economic development concepts for the State of West Virginia, and the possible creation of an Intermediate Court of Appeals, 2389 bills were introduced, with 356 completing legislative action. Out of the 356 bills which completed the legislative process, Governor Justice vetoed six…
Congress Passes COVID-19 Relief Package - WHAT YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW
March 27, 2020
After intense negotiations, Congress passed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES”) to provide direct assistance to individuals, businesses, and state and local governments to help them address the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. President Trump signed CARES into law.
CARES provides relief to businesses in two ways: (1) business interruption loans through…
UPDATED - Kentucky Legislature Responds to COVID-19 with SB 150
March 27, 2020
Governor Beshear signed Senate Bill 150 on March 30, 2020, which addresses COVID-19 effects on the Commonwealth, specifically to allow for quick response by the healthcare system and protect those responding to the emergency. The new law also addresses other issues directly affecting employers.
Unemployment
Codifies the acts undertaken by Executive Order to allow for the expansion of unemployment…
Congress Passes COVID-19 Relief Package - INDIVIDUAL TAX INCENTIVES
March 27, 2020
After intense negotiations, Congress passed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES”) to provide direct assistance to individuals, businesses, and state and local governments to help them address the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. President Trump signed CARES into law.
CARES provides tax relief provisions applicable to individuals, including:
Impact to…
Kentucky Court Closures
March 13, 2020
By order of the Governor, Kentucky has suspended all civil dockets through April 10, 2020. Only limited emergency matters will be heard. Courtroom attendance will be limited to only necessary parties and courthouse access is subject to warnings regarding health and travel history.
Majority rules: Piercing the Corporate Veil to Reach Non-Shareholders
July 22, 2019
Is ownership of the company required before an individual be held liable for a corporation’s debts? The Idaho Supreme Court recently addressed this question as a matter of first impression and joined the majority of states holding that ownership is not required, and Idaho courts can pierce the corporate veil to reach non-shareholders if they have substantial control over the company’s operations.…
