News
ISSA LARU—SBA Drops PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire Requirement
July 30, 2021Welcome to the ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update (LARU), our biweekly roundup of the latest public policy issues impacting the full spectrum of the cleaning industry. This update touches on ISSA celebrating more than 1,000 Advocates for Clean, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) extending the comment period for its COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) dropping its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan necessity questionnaire requirement, and more.
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ISSA Advocacy
ISSA Surpasses 1,000 Advocates for Clean
Since launching the program in January 2020, more than 1,000 cleaning industry professionals and supporters like you have signed up to be ISSA Advocates for Clean. Thank you for your grassroots support and public policy engagement on behalf of the full spectrum of the cleaning industry!
Regulatory
OSHA Extends Comment Period for COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it will extend the comment period for the COVID-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard (ETS) to August 20, 2021. OSHA is extending the comment period by 30 days to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment, CMM reported.
SBA Drops PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire Requirement
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) informed lenders that the agency is eliminating the loan necessity review for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of US$2 million or greater, according to the Journal of Accountancy.
EPA Bans Sale of COVID-19 Disinfectant Authorized under Trump
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an order stopping the sale of a disinfectant that the Trump administration granted emergency authorization to combat COVID-19, The Hill reported.
Judicial
Judge Rules DACA Program Illegal, Suspends New Applications
A U.S. federal judge blocked new applications to a program that protects immigrants who were brought to the United States as children from deportation, but said the hundreds of thousands of people already enrolled would not be affected until further court rulings, according to Reuters.
State News
Some States Block COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements in Public Schools
Some states are prohibiting public schools from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations or proof of vaccination for students ranging from pre-K to university. A CNN analysis found that at least seven states–Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Montana, Oklahoma, and Utah–have enacted legislation this year that would restrict public schools from requiring either coronavirus vaccinations or documentation of vaccination status.
COVID-19 Claims in California Fall Nearly 99%
Worker compensation claims for COVID-19 in California fell nearly 99% in the past six months from the state’s high of 43,109 coronavirus claims in December, Business Insurance reported.
Anti-Plastic Waste Initiative Approved for California Ballot
A California initiative that would require state regulators to reduce plastic waste has qualified for the November 2022 ballot, according to The Daily Journal. If passed, the law would compel the state to take multiple steps to reduce plastic waste, including requiring that single-use plastic packaging, containers, and utensils be reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Producers of single-use plastic packaging would be taxed, with the revenue allocated for recycling and environmental programs.
Unlike Other States, New Hampshire Refunds COVID-19 Business Fines
Three Republican governors opposed efforts this year to absolve businesses for violating public health orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only in New Hampshire have the “scofflaws been set free” of the fines, AP reported.
Missouri Governor Signs COVID-19 Liability Protections
Priority COVID-19 liability protections were signed into law as Missouri lawmakers hoped to settle disputes before they occur amid rising COVID-19 cases in the state, according to the News Tribune.
Pennsylvania Court Rules Custodian Entitled to Worker Compensation
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that a custodial worker who fell from a shuttle is entitled to worker compensation even though he was injured before he reached the job site, CMM reported.