Labor & Employment

Wagner-Peyser Act Staffing Delay for Merit Staffing Compliance

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is delaying the compliance date for the 2023 Wagner-Peyser Act Staffing Final Rule by one year. State grantees must now comply with staffing requirements by January 21, 2027, instead of January 22, 2026.

Proposed Rule: FY2026 H-2B Visa Numerical Limitation Increase

The Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Department of Labor, is proposing to increase the FY2026 H-2B visa numerical limitation by an additional 64,716 visas. These supplemental visas are intended for American businesses suffering or facing impending irreparable harm and will be distributed in three allocations.

Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for H-2A Nonimmigrants Rule

The Department of Labor issued an interim final rule amending the methodology for determining Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for H-2A nonimmigrant workers. The rule will use Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wage data and implement a standard adjustment factor for employer-provided housing, effective October 2, 2025.

ETA Ex Parte Communication Meeting Details

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has published details regarding an ex parte communication meeting. This notice provides information about a meeting held concerning RIN 1205-AC21.

Pharmacy Benefit Manager Fee Disclosure Rule Comment Period Extended

The Department of Labor has extended the comment period for its proposed rule on Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) fee disclosure. The extension allows interested parties to comment on potential adjustments to the rule in light of recent amendments to ERISA by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026. The new comment deadline is April 15, 2026.

Employee Benefits Security Administration Auto-Portability Rule

The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has posted a new rule concerning auto-portability of retirement plan assets. This rule aims to facilitate the automatic transfer of retirement funds for participants who change employers, simplifying rollovers and preserving retirement savings.

Proposed Exemption for Asset Managers related to UBS AG

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is proposing an exemption for asset managers related to UBS AG. This exemption would allow certain transactions that might otherwise be prohibited under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The public comment period for this proposed exemption closes on April 6.

Exemption for Liberty Latin America 401(k) Plan

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has issued a notice regarding an exemption for the Liberty Latin America 401(k) Plan. This exemption pertains to certain transactions related to the plan.

Proposed Rules of Procedure for Employees' Compensation Appeals Board

The Department of Labor has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the procedural regulations for the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board. These proposed revisions aim to codify current operating procedures and address outdated aspects of the existing rules, which have not been significantly revised in 46 years. The Department is seeking public comments on these proposed changes.

Employees' Compensation Appeals Board Rules of Procedure Final Rule

The Department of Labor has issued a final rule updating the Rules of Procedure for the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB). These updated regulations govern appeals under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) for federal employees seeking to appeal decisions from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP). The rule is effective November 19, 2008.