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In This Issue:

  • LRCC Policy Forum
  • LRC-PAC 2020 Regional Election Guide
  • COVID-19 Business Liability Protections

LRCC Policy Forum
We are excited to announce that former Congressman Mike Rogers will be our keynote speaker for the upcoming Lansing Regional Chamber Virtual Policy Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m.!
With less than a week out from the November general election, Congressman Rogers will discuss national and cybersecurity, foreign policy, and the 2020 election. The LRCC Policy Forum is $25 for an all-access digital pass.

Register here.

LRC-PAC 2020 Regional Election Guide
The Lansing Regional Chamber Political Action Committee’s 2020 Regional Election Guide contains endorsements, ways to vote, where to vote, important dates and more!

2020 election guide is available here.

Unemployment Benefits
After the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that Governor Whitmer’s COVID-19 executive orders during the pandemic were unconstitutional, the State Legislature has been working to codify certain executive orders such as unemployment benefits. 

The unemployment legislation that was passed by the State Legislature and signed by the Governor continues to do the following:

  • Maintains “non-charging” employers for COVID-19 related unemployment benefits.
  • Authorizes increased flexibility for employers participating in the Workshare program.
  • Ensures individuals filing an initial state claim for unemployment benefits could receive up to 26 weeks of benefits.

The LRCC advocacy team worked with our partners across the state to support this legislation to assist employers manage through the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislation and summaries are available online.

COVID-19 Business Liability Protections
The COVID-19 business liability protection bills that are focused on providing common sense legal reform measures were passed by the State Legislature and sent to Governor Whitmer for final approval. The bills provide legal immunity to businesses, nonprofits and others who are in compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations related to COVID-19.

House Bill 6030 does the following:

  • Specifies a person who acts in compliance with all federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations, executive orders and agency orders related to COVID-19 in effect at the time of the conduct or risk that allegedly caused harm is immune from liability for a COVID-19 claim.  
  • The bill defines “person” as an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity or other legal entity, including, but not limited to, a school, a college or university, an institution of higher education and a nonprofit charitable organization.
  • It also includes an employee, agent, or independent contractor of the person, regardless of whether the individual is paid or an unpaid volunteer.

House Bill 6031 makes similar changes to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act. House Bill 6032 codifies the Governor’s Executive Order that prohibits discharge, discipline, or retaliation against employees who stay home because they test positive, display the principal symptoms or have had close contact with an individual who tests positive or displays the principal symptoms. The bills provide protections retroactive to March 1, 2020.