BW INSIGHTS

Your Estate Plan To-Do List While Social Distancing

By Robert Hodges | 03.20.2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event that is changing the way we think about protecting our families, health and wealth. During this time, some of you may find yourself at home practicing social distancing in order to do your part in flattening “the curve”. This time at home may provide an opportunity to consider your estate plan. This... Read More

Option for Avoiding Total Layoffs During COVID-19

By Danielle Smid | 03.18.2020

This is not a new program but has new features to assist employers in trying to avoid layoffs. Iowa Workforce Development describes its “Voluntary Shared Work Program Unemployment Insurance Benefits” (VSW) below: “The program is intended for use as an alternative to layoffs and can be an effective tool for Iowa businesses experiencing a temporary... Read More

Employer Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Impact on Unemployment Benefits in Iowa

By Danielle Smid | 03.18.2020

Do employees need to exhaust all vacation, sick leave, or personal time off (PTO) time prior to claiming unemployment benefits? Yes. If an employer offers vacation, sick leave, or PTO time to employees, the employees must exhaust those benefits prior to claiming unemployment benefits. Are employers required to lay off employees in order for the... 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