BW INSIGHTS

Biennial Report Deadline Extended

By BrownWinick | 03.26.2020

All entities organized under Iowa law or registered to do business in Iowa are required to file biennial reports with the Iowa Secretary of State. These reports are typically due by April 1 of the year in which they are due. Corporations file biennial reports in even-numbered years, while LLCs, partnerships, and non-profits file in odd-numbered... Read More

DOL Updates Effective Date and Issues Model Notice Posters

By BrownWinick | 03.25.2020

As noted in our last post, the Department of Labor announced the effective date of the new federal leave laws is April 1, and not April 2. In related news, today, the Department of Labor has issued its model notice posters for Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA Leave under the FFCRA. The notice for private employers can be found here:... Read More

Event Cancellations as a Result of COVID-19? Check Your Contracts!

By BrownWinick | 03.22.2020

With extreme social distancing requirements in place across Iowa and the United States, it is clear that COVID-19 will have an impact on our lives for weeks to come. Cities, schools, and universities alike have cancelled scheduled events — and more and more cancellations are still to come. But what if your organization has booked a venue, caterer,... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 9

By BrownWinick | 03.13.2020

NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect new measures taken by the governor and lawmakers to address coronavirus-related issues as of late afternoon Monday, March 16. Legislative leadership has suspended the 2020 session for at least the next 30 days due to community spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 8

By BrownWinick | 03.06.2020

Lawmakers passed their first major appropriations bill this week, funding K-12 education. Under SF 2142 school spending would increase by about $85.57 million. The 2.3% funding hike was a compromise between Senate and House Republicans. While the Senate proposed a 2.1% increase, the House called for 2.5%, which is what Governor Kim Reynolds... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 7

By BrownWinick | 02.28.2020

Since many bills failed to clear the key “first funnel” deadline, lawmakers have shifted their focus to debating active legislation on the floor and crafting government spending measures. Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill Tuesday allocating more than $13 million to address K-12 funding inequities. SF 2164 authorizes $7.2 million to assist school... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 6

By BrownWinick | 02.21.2020

Lawmakers focused heavily on committee work this week, as they raced to beat Friday’s first funnel deadline. Most legislation that hasn't passed full committee in either the Senate or the House isn't eligible for consideration the rest of session. (The major exceptions to this rule are bills dealing with taxes, spending, or government oversight.)... Read More

2020 Legislative Session – Week 5

By BrownWinick | 02.17.2020

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill last Thursday authorizing $21 million for ongoing flood relief in western Iowa. The Senate bill, SF 2144 initially called for $20 million in spending. But the House amended the measure, adding another $1 million. Both chambers unanimously passed the increased funding. Rep. David Sieck (R-Glenwood) said the... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 4

By BrownWinick | 02.17.2020

Flood relief funding was a major focus for the Senate last week, with the full chamber passing a $20 million appropriation to fund those efforts. Damage estimates from last spring’s Missouri River floods range from $1.5 billion to $2 billion. Sen. Mark Costello’s (R-Imogene) district includes some of the flooded area. In a floor speech, he said... Read More

New Form I-9 Released

By BrownWinick | 02.03.2020

USCIS recently announced that a new version of the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) with a version date of 10/21/2019 is available for use beginning 1/31/2020. Employers may use the prior version of the form bearing a version date of 07/17/2017 until 4/30/2020. After 4/30/2020, the prior version of the form will no longer be valid,... Read More