Proposed Farm Bill Addresses Vegetation Management and Pesticide Use
After nearly a year of discussions and preparations, on May 24, 2024, the House Committee on Agriculture approved legislation to reauthorize the Farm Bill, sending the bill to the House floor for a potential vote. The House version of the bill, put together by Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson (R-PA), is one of the top […]
TCIA Asks Congress for Increased H-2B Visas for Seasonal Workers
In April 2024, TCIA joined the H-2B Workforce Coalition’s letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committees, urging these lawmakers to include provisions in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill that would increase the number of visas available under the H-2B program for […]
Senate Examines Wildland Fire-Mitigation Recommendations
On March 12, 2024, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to discuss findings and recommendations for the Wildland and Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. This hearing provided members of Congress and witnesses the opportunity to discuss new and potential policies to address the nation’s wildfire crisis. TCIA has had a […]
Biden Administration’s Independent Contractor Rule Goes Into Effect
On March 11, 2024, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division’s (WHD) final rule for determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor became effective. The final rule rescinds DOL’s 2021 regulation that was published at the end of the Trump administration and establishes a new test to determine worker classification. […]
OSHA Focusing on Regional Fatality and Injury Rates in Tree Care
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) utilizes various strategies to mitigate workplace hazards and ensure compliance with safety standards. One approach is the implementation of Regional Emphasis Programs (REPs). REPs are primarily targeted enforcement and inspections in specific high-risk industries or for particular hazards within a region. As of the end of 2023, OSHA […]