On July 12, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued revised guidance under the hours of service (HOS) rules for how commercial drivers should record and take breaks.

The DOL announced in its July 3 regulatory agenda that it will be indefinitely suspending previous wage calculation methods for H-2B temporary worker visas – which have been blocked both in federal courts and on Capitol Hill – and moving forward with its “emergency” interim final rule issued in April in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security. The interim final rule became effective April 24, when it was issued.

ABC July 17 celebrated a victory after North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) signed a bill (H.B.110) into law that will prohibit state government entities from requiring contractors to sign a project labor agreement (PLA), or any other agreement with labor unions, as a condition of performing work on public construction projects.

ABC July 17 announced  it is relocating its national office from Arlington, Va. to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. ABC signed an 11-year lease with First Potomac Realty Trust for 19,830 square feet of office space at 440 First Street, NW. 

As part of a deal to avert a “nuclear option” to end filibuster rules in the U.S. Senate, the nominations of Richard Griffin and Sharon Block to the NLRB were withdrawn. Griffin and Block were two of the members illegally recess appointed to the board by President Obama in 2012. They were renominated by the president in February. 

The IRS July 11 released guidance on the one-year delay of the employer shared responsibility provisions (or employer mandate) and information reporting requirements in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The delay was originally announced July 2 by the Treasury Department in a blog post. 

The DOL on July 3 released its spring regulatory agenda outlining the activities of its sub-agencies for the remainder of 2013, including OSHA. The regulatory agenda lists the priorities of the administration and the rulemakings they expect to release this year; however, OSHA is not required to adhere to the timeline. 

Missouri House Bill 34, which became law on July 15, changes the way prevailing wage rates are determined in the state by taking into consideration both union and nonunion wages and allowing the rates to be calculated by county.

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) has issued surveys requesting information on the potential use of a project labor agreement (PLA) on two projects to repair facades at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., one for repairs at Rickover Hall and on for repairs at Nimitz Library.

OSHA has begun its annual national outreach initiative to educate workers and employers about the hazards of heat illness. The campaign includes educational materials on heat illness in English and Spanish, resources for conducting training in the workplace and an app for mobile devices.