Perkins Coie

US Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes to Revoke Recent MBTA Final Rule

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a proposed rule to revoke the Service’s January 7, 2021, final rule defining the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act as it applies to conduct resulting in the injury or death of migratory birds protected by the MBTA.

Perkins Coie Stands Against Anti-Asian Racism and Hate

Perkins Coie LLP stands against hate, racism, xenophobia, and discrimination in any form and against any person, and specifically condemns the alarming rise in racially motivated incidents against Asians and Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). 

Senate Adopts Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act

The U.S. Senate passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 by a nearly unanimous vote in its first significant legislative step towards fulfilling the water infrastructure goals of the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan.

Washington’s New 7% Capital Gains Tax Questions Answered

The Washington Legislature passed Senate Bill 5096 on April 25, 2021, the last day of the 2021 Washington legislative session.

Carbon Sequestration Tax Credits: Section 45Q

When the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 was passed into law, it expanded the §45Q tax credit, an important federal incentive encouraging private investment in the development and use of carbon capture technologies and facilities.

Europe Seeks to Tame Artificial Intelligence With the World’s First Comprehensive Regulation

In what could be a harbinger of the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States, the European Commission published its recent proposal for regulation of AI systems.

Perkins Coie Ranked as the Number 1 US Workplace in Consulting & Professional Services by Great Place to Work®

IRS Temporarily Permits E-signature of 83(b) Elections

On April 15, 2021, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service issued a temporary deviation from the handwritten signature requirement for a limited list of tax forms, including elections under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, allowing taxpayers and representatives to use electronic or digital signatures when signing such forms.

US Department of Labor Issues Highly Anticipated Cybersecurity Guidance for ERISA Plans

On April 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor released three-part guidance on cybersecurity issues for employee benefit plans, marking its first significant commentary on the issue since its comprehensive but nonbinding report in late 2016. 

SBA Serves Up Guidance for Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the first form of federal relief prepared specifically for restaurants is likely to be delivered soon.

Managing Conflict: Department of the Interior Implementation of 2020 NEPA Regulations

The secretary of the interior issued two Secretarial Orders on April 16, 2021, that provide early indications of the Biden administration’s approach to the environmental review process for infrastructure projects under the National Environmental Policy Act.