Legislative New Archive
Lighthouse Program Special Report: E-Verify Legislation Slows, But For Long?
posted 11-02-11
By Craig Regelbrugge, American Nursery & Landscape Association
Much has changed since May of this year, when it appeared virtually certain that E-Verify would move like a bullet train through the House of Representatives. A series of Judiciary hearings starting in February had set the table for legislative action on E-Verify, a long-time goal of Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX). Smith had struck a deal with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups on technical provisions of E-Verify, like federal preemption of certain state or local mandates governing use of the online tool... Download the entire report here.
E-Verify to Be Taken Up in House Committee
posted 9-14-2011
Washington, D.C.— On September 15, the House Judiciary Committee will take up and consider Chairman Lamar Smith’s Legal Workforce Act legislation (H.R.2164) mandating that all U.S. employers use the E-Verify system within three years. E-Verify is the electronic system for verifying whether a prospective hire is legally authorized to work in the U.S. It is currently voluntary. Read the press release here.
Federally Mandated E-Verify Bill to be Introduced
posted 6-9-2011
House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith has announced that next week he will introduce his legislation to make the E-Verify program mandatory. E-Verify is an online, legal-employment-status verification system created by the Department of Homeland Security. You can read more in this June 9 press release from ANLA.
2011 Legislative Session Report
posted 6-3-2011
READ analysis of the 2011 Colorado Legislative Session and descriptions of major bills related to the green industry in this timely REPORT submitted by Hicks & Associates, CNGA/GreenCO Lobbyists.
Breaking news on E-Verify program, courtesy of ANLA
posted 5-26-2011
The U.S. Supreme Court has rendered its decision in the case challenging the Arizona requirement that employers use the federal E-Verify program as a condition of obtaining/maintaining a business license. The Supreme Court has upheld the 9th Circuit's finding that the Arizona law is not preempted by federal law. Much more detailed analysis of the decision to come after the lawyers have lawyered and analyzed the decision. That said, we may now see the floodgates open for more state-level copycat laws mandating E-Verify. Link to the full decision below.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/09-115.pdf
Breaking news provided by Craig J. Regelbrugge, Vice President, Government Relations and Research, American Nursery & Landscape Association
Taxation on Pesticides used for Agricultural Production Repealed
posted 5-26-2011
This newest adjustment follows the 2010 reversal CNGA was able to secure last year on soils, fertilizers, and peat moss used in production being tax exempt. At that time, pesticides remained on the taxable list.
Effective July 1, 2011, all sales and purchases of pesticides that are registered by the commissioner of agriculture for use in the production of agricultural products pursuant to the provisions of the "Pesticide Act", article 9 of title 35, and offered for sale by licensed dealers will be tax exempt.
This information is included in HB11-1005 that can be found at www.leg.state.co.us
Colorado Dept. of Revenue Confirms Use Tax Rules
posted 12-8-2010
In a letter dated Dec. 6, 2010, the Colorado Department of Revenue Deputy Executive Director confirmed that soil, peat moss, and mulch are exempt from sales use taxes as of March 1, 2010. More...
Political Action Committee Identifies Candidates to Support
posted 10-2010
In preparation for the November 2010 election, CNGA and the GreenCO Legislative Committe
interviewed 22 candidates over a three-day period. Each candidate was asked the same questions, so the Political Action Committee could find out their positions on business issues relevant to our members. Based on the candidate responses, the PAC determined who would receive funding. Find out which 2010 candidates, many of whom won their seats in the Colorado legislature, are supported by us.