Regulatory Updates

Since the Clearinghouse became operational on Jan. 6, 2020, the online system has experienced technical difficulties with queries.

On Dec. 27, 2019, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it is doubling the minimum annual percentage rate for random controlled substances testing for commercial motor vehicle drivers.

On Dec. 20, 2019, President Trump signed into law a spending bill that prevents a government shutdown and repeals the following three taxes and fees under the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

The new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will be operational Jan. 6, 2020.

On Dec. 2, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2019-63 to extend the due date for furnishing forms under Sections 6055 and 6056 for 2019 from Jan. 31, 2020, to March 2, 2020.

Companies operating commercial vehicle fleets have until Dec. 16, 2019 to switch from an Automatic On-Boarding Recording Device (AOBRD) to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registered Electronic Logging Device (ELD).

On Nov. 6, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2019-44 (Rev. Proc. 19-44), which increased the health FSA dollar limit on employee salary reduction contributions to $2,750 for taxable years beginning in 2020.

Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D.

On Sept. 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new final rule that updates the salary thresholds that some individuals must meet in order to qualify for a minimum wage and overtime exemption under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2020.

On Aug. 1, 2019, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety will begin enforcing its new hands-free while driving cell phone law. The law is intended to combat the distracted driving epidemic and the increasing rate of related accidents.