Perkins Coie

Recent Large Government Settlements Reflect Unique Risks to Employers for Antitrust Violations

Employers who share information with competitor employers about employee compensation, including wages and benefits, face greater risks of government investigations into violations of antitrust laws.

Federal Reserve Issues Final Guidelines for Master Account Access

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board), on August 15, 2022, issued final guidelines for regional Federal Reserve Banks to use when considering applications for Federal Reserve “master accounts”—deposit accounts that, among other things, enable direct access to the Federal Reserve’s payment systems, including Fedwire and the forthcoming real-time payments network, FedNow.

Seattle’s New Independent Contractor Protections

Seattle’s new Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance (the Ordinance) took effect on September 1, 2022. The law requires certain employers to provide independent contractors with disclosures both before entering a contract and at the time of payment.

DOJ Announces Sweeping Policy Updates Targeting Corporate Criminal Enforcement and Individual Accountability

Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Lisa Monaco announced several significant policy updates affecting the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) enforcement practices for both corporations and individuals on September 15, 2022.

Golf Antitrust Suit Revamped With New Theories and New Plaintiff

In a rapid shake-up of the antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour Inc. (PGA Tour), professional golfers Carlos Ortiz, Abraham Ancer, Pat Perez, and Jason Kokrak have withdrawn from the case.

New England Requests Information on Electric Grid Upgrades To Integrate Offshore Wind

Five New England states issued a Request for Information (RFI) on September 1, seeking comment from interested stakeholders by October 14, 2022, on changes and upgrades to the regional electric transmission system to integrate renewable energy resources, particularly offshore wind. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are seeking information through the RFI that will help them improve the grid’s reliability, resilience, and affordability for the regions’ electricity customers.

The SEC Speaks in 2022: Five Key Takeaways

At the Practicing Law Institute’s annual SEC Speaks conference, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) leadership highlighted the agency’s current enforcement priorities and previewed its agenda for the year to come.

California Seeks to Curb Declining Water Supply With New Executive Actions

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a revamped water strategy on August 11, 2022, in response to updated projections that California could witness a 10% reduction in water supply by 2040 due to the accelerated impacts of climate change.

New Employment Laws Enacted in West Hollywood

Employers in West Hollywood, California, who employ any individual for two or more hours per week should be prepared for significant changes that became effective as of July 1, 2022.

The Inflation Reduction Act and the Rise of Clean Hydrogen

President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (the Act) on August 16, 2022, which, among other things, uses the tax code to slow the effects of climate change by significantly investing in clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.

The Inflation Reduction Act’s Impact on Offshore Wind Leasing

The $437 billion Inflation Reduction Act, H.R. 5376 (IRA), signed into law on August 16, 2022, by President Biden, makes historic investments in clean energy.

OFCCP Issues Revised Compensation Data Directive

Federal contractors should remain vigilant in how they structure and conduct internal pay equity audits to ensure compliance with newly revised federal guidance.