Arizona
AZ OSHA
On February 14, 2023, The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its
Occupational Safety and Health Administration will withdraw its proposal to
reconsider and revoke final approval of Arizona’s State Plan for occupational safety
and health, and by doing so, will leave the State’s plan in place.
The announcement follows OSHA’s publication of Federal Register notice on April
21, 2022, that proposed reconsideration and revocation because of the State Plan’s
nearly decade-long pattern of failures to adopt adequate maximum penalty levels,
occupational safety and health standards, National Emphasis Programs and the
COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard.

Arkansas
Health Insurance
On February 13, 2023, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed AR H.B. 1042
enhancing coverage for prostate cancer screenings by health benefit plans. The
coverage shall provide at least one screening per 24 years for any man forty years
of age or older according to the National 25 Comprehensive Cancer Network
guidelines.

California
Mandatory Arbitration
Appeals court blocks California ban on mandatory arbitration for workers-Reuters

California
City of Santa Rosa
The Small Business Support Program designed to encourage economic
development and destination awareness of historically under-invested areas by
enhancing the exterior appearance and commercial viability of storefronts. The
grants will help fund improvement and repairs to places of businesses and parking
lots. Phase 2 applications begin July 1, 2023 and are available here.

California
City of San Francisco
Effective July 1, 2023, the minimum wage in San Francisco, increases from $16.99
per hour to $18.07 per hour under an annual inflation adjustment.

California
City of San Diego
On February 16, 2023, Deputy Director of the city’s Cannabis Business Division
announced that the State of California issued a $880,000 grant to support equity in
the city’s marijuana industry. The grant will be used to fund permits, licensing fees
and start-up property expenses.

Connecticut
Unemployment Benefits
On February 9, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor announced awards ($4,562,000)
to the state to help identify and address barriers workers face regarding access to
state unemployment insurance benefits. Funded by the American Rescue Plan
Act and administered by the department’s Employment and Training
Administration, the grants enable projects that seek to remove barriers related to
race, age, ethnicity, language proficiency, disability status, geographic location or
other systemic issues that make it difficult for people to access unemployment
insurance benefits.

Connecticut
City of Meriden
The Meriden Business Investment and Growth program is making available $5
million in federal American Rescue Plan Acts funding to reduce storefront vacancy
and jumpstart businesses in Meriden. Grants are being offered in three categories,
code correction assistance, development of vacant commercial and business space
and economic development.

District of Columbia
Minimum Wage
Effective July 1, 2023, the District’s minimum wage, increases from $16.10 per hour
to $17.00 per hour.

District of Columbia
District Poster
The Minimum Wage Amendment Revision Act Poster is available in English,
Spanish, Chinese, Amharic.

Florida
Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) is offering grants for up to 25,
for and nonprofit businesses in the amount of $10,000 through the Small Minority
Black Business Capitalization Grant Program. The funds can be used for business
expansion, equipment, marketing and technology. Applications are available here.

Florida
Hillsborough County
On February 15, 2023. The County Commission voted to prohibit stores selling
vapes from being within 500 feet of a school.

Florida
Collier County
On February 14, 2023, the County Commission voted to continue prohibiting
Medical Marijuana dispensaries throughout the county.

Illinois
County of Macon
Applications are now being accepted for Community Sustainability Grants through
The Macon County Environmental Management Department. Interested
organizations must submit a proposal centered on conversion and recycling
projects. Information on the grants can be found here.

Illinois
City of Aurora
Aurora Downtown’s Business Attraction and Retention (BAR) Committee announced
its grant program for 2023 to help support established businesses, property
owners, and initiatives taking place in the downtown special service area (SSA
One). Aurora Downtown’s BAR Committee will provide two types of grants in areas
that assist small businesses and contribute to the growth of downtown. The
downtown organization will offer grants for events that provide a new attraction for
the area as well as improvement grants that enhance downtown.

Businesses can apply for either up to $2,500 to support a special event, or for up to
$5,000 to support permanent improvements on the exterior or interior of a space
including signage. Only one grant application per grant cycle will be considered.
Click here to apply.

Iowa
Medical Malpractice
On February 16, 2023, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed IA H.F. 161 creating a cap on
noneconomic damages in cases regarding medical malpractice. The legislation
balances the needs of injured patients with access to quality health care. In
addition, the law creates a Medical Error Task Force to be managed by the
Department of Health and Human Services.

Iowa
Transportation
On February 15, 2023, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed IA S.F. 153 authorizing the DOT
and local authorities to exempt overweight permits from load limits and move
heavier loads to aid economic development.

Kentucky
Grants
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced that grant funding
opportunities are available to assist farmers, restaurants and local organizations in
order to promote local products and farms. The grants are available through the
Kentucky Proud program. Click here for information and an application.

Maryland
Minority Business Support
On February 16, 2023, Gov. Wes Moore issued an executive order requiring state
agencies to.

• Submit mandatory Minority Business Enterprise data for FY22 to the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs
• Provide within 60 days, that 70 agency program participants must report certain procurement activity since July 1, 2022, in addition to Minority Business Enterprise goals and benchmarks
• Provide within 60 days, that participating agencies must report on the outreach and marketing efforts conducted to Minority Business Enterprises since July 1, 2022
• Provide within 60 days, the Maryland Department of Transportation, as the
  state’s Minority Business Enterprise certification agency, will report to the
  governor the current number of firms certified as Minority Business
  Enterprises, broken down by jurisdiction, race, and gender
  Additional information can be found on the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, Women Business Affairs website.

Maryland
Grants
On February 15, 2023, Gov. Wes Moore announced $13.7 million in Capital Grants
funding and a $9.1 million contract for the non-profit Oyster Recovery Partnership.
The funding will aid essential capital projects for museums, community centers,
medical facilities, athletic facilities, community revitalization, historical buildings,
and will continue the state’s oyster restoration work. Click here for additional
information.

Minnesota
Wright County
On February 7, 2023, the County Commissioners approved a measure decreasing
the distance a tobacco shop must be located from a youth-oriented facility if it is
located on the opposite side of a county, state or federal highway. A store will not
be able to obtain a license if it located within 1,000 feet of a school or youth oriented
program.

Nevada
Nye County
On February 7, 2023, County Contracts and Grants Manager Stephani
Elliott announced that on March 1, 2023, the county will reopen access to their
Small Business Grant Program. Additional information can be found here.

New Jersey
Gas Powered Vehicles
On February 15, 2023, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order that will ban the
sale of gasoline-powered cars and light duty trucks. The goal of the order is to
adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II in New Jersey, which would require all new cars
and light-duty truck sales to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035.

New Jersey
Unemployment Benefits
On February 9, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor announced awards ($6,840,000)
to the state to help identify and address barriers workers face regarding access to
state unemployment insurance benefits. Funded by the American Rescue Plan
Act and administered by the department’s Employment and Training
Administration, the grants allow the state to implement projects that seek to
remove barriers related to race, age, ethnicity, language proficiency, disability
status, geographic location or other systemic issues that make it difficult for people
to access unemployment insurance benefits.

New Jersey
Cannabis Licensing
Effective February 22nd, 2023, cannabis license holders will be able to hold a
cultivator license, a manufacturer license, a retailer license, and a delivery service
license at the same time. License holders will be able to have only one of each and
in any combination. Additionally, wholesale license holders can also hold a
distributor license. Expanded alternative treatment centers may cultivate,
manufacture, retail, and deliver.

The criteria for priority applications have been reordered with all Social Equity,
Diversity-owned Businesses, and Impact Zone applications, including those for
annual and conversion licenses, receiving review before all other applications.
Three new license types will soon be available: Class 3 wholesalers, Class 4
distributors and Class 6 delivery licenses. Additional information can be found here.

New York
Immigrant Training & Job Placement
On February 17, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the expansion of the New
York State Professional Pathways for High-Skilled Immigrants Program to help new
Americans find jobs that match their skills and experience. As part of the program’s
expansion, a total of $4.38 million in state-funded grants will be awarded to
community-based providers to support professional training and job placement
efforts for an increased number of high-skilled immigrants in New York.

First launched in 2021, the NYS Professional Pathways program helps high-skilled
immigrants overcome barriers to professional development by screening, training
and/or re-credentialing candidates and identifying job placement opportunities in
high-need regions across the state. The program is tailored specifically for fields that are currently in need of highly skilled workers in New York State, including
architecture, engineering, information technology, education, social work,
economics, business management and journalism.

Ohio
Driving – Electronic Devices
Effective April 3, 2023, Amendments to Ohio law regarding the use of electronic
wireless communications devices while driving take place. Amendments include the
following:

• Adjusting the description of electronic wireless communications device
• Expanding prohibited uses of an electronic wireless communications device while driving
• Adding other circumstances under which drivers may use an electronic wireless communications device
• Making the use of an electronic wireless communications device while driving a primary offense for adult drivers OH S.B. 288

Oklahoma
Unemployment Benefits
On February 9, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor announced awards ($4,562,000)
to the state to help identify and address barriers workers face regarding access to
state unemployment insurance benefits. Funded by the American Rescue Plan
Act and administered by the department’s Employment and Training
Administration, the grants will allow states to implement projects that seek to
remove barriers related to race, age, ethnicity, language proficiency, disability
status, geographic location or other systemic issues that make it difficult for people
to access unemployment insurance benefits.

Puerto Rico
Qualified Retirement Plans
In January, The Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury has announced the 2023
limits for qualified retirement plans in Puerto Rico in its Internal Revenue Circular
Letter No. 23-01 (CL IR 23-01). These limits include an increase in the Annual Benefit
Limit, Annual Contribution Limit, Annual Compensation Limit, and the
Compensation Limit for highly compensated employees. The Catch-up
Contributions Limit applicable only to federal government employees ages 50 or
over has also increased, while other limits remain unchanged from 2022. These limits are incorporated by reference into the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of
2011, as amended, and are applicable to qualified retirement plans in Puerto Rico.

Texas
City of San Antonio
On May 6, 2023, voters will decide if low- level marijuana arrests should be made
and if police will be able to consider the odor of marijuana or hemp to constitute
probable cause for any search or seizure.

Washington
City of Seattle
The Technology Matching Fund (TMF) will provide funds of up to $45,000 to
qualifying non-profit organizations in Seattle for digital equity projects. A total of
$545,000 is available for TMF grants. A minimum of $90,000 will be allocated to TMF
digital navigator projects. City dollars are matched by the community’s contribution
of volunteer labor, materials, professional services, or cash. Projects should aim to
increase internet access and adoption by providing:

• Digital navigator services: One-on-one or small group, just-in-time assistance via phone, email, text, video chat, and in-person to help residents (1) use their devices (computers, laptops, and smartphones), (2) connect to the internet, and (3) enroll in low-cost internet plans
• Digital literacy skills training: Digital literacy skills training for new technology users
• Devices and technical support: Devices and the support needed to use it effectively
• Access to the internet: Internet to low-income residents by expanding Wi-Fi or another means
• Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Outreach and Enrollment: Assistance to enroll residents in ACP by informing eligible residents AND providing in-person assistance. For more information about ACP, visit www.fcc.gov/acp

Applications will be accepted through the City’s FLUXX portal, www.seattle.fluxx.io

West Virginia
City of Charleston
The Charleston Area Alliance launched a new round of their Women and Minority-
Owned Small Business Grant Program. The goal of the Grant Program is to help
existing women and/or minority-owned small businesses located within the city
limits of Charleston to expand by increasing profitability. This will be achieved
through mini grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 and providing access to training
and resources. For the full list of eligibility requirements, application needs, and the
link to apply please click here.

West Virginia
Brooke County
On February 14, 2023, the County Commissioners passed a measure creating a 6%
visitor occupancy sales tax for motels and hotels.

Wyoming
Liquor licensing
On February 16, 2023, Gov. Mark Gordon signed WY S.F. 0013 amending bar and
grill liquor license requirements specifying sunset dates for bar and grill license
population formulas, providing for rulemaking and providing for effective dates. All
sales of alcoholic and malt beverages must end at the time food sales and services
cease or at the hours specified by W.S. 12-5-101(a).
A licensed bar and grill liquor may permit a patron to remove one partially
consumed bottle of wine for off-premises consumption provided that the patron
has purchased a full course meal and consumed a portion of the bottle of wine with
the meal on the bar and grill premises.