FTC votes to ban most employers from using noncompete clauses. But legal challenge is expected
The FTC estimates that 30 million people – one in five US workers – are bound by a noncompete clause in their current jobs. And for most of them, the agency asserts, such a clause restricts them from freely switching jobs, lowers wages, stifles innovation, blocks entrepreneurs from starting new businesses and undermines fair competition.
Read more at CNN
Under the terms of the settlement, home sellers will no longer be required to offer a commission to buyers' agents in order for their properties to appear on “multiple listing services,” which is where most home sales originate. Commissions still can be negotiated as part of the process.
Read more at Reuters
Short-term rental owners talk legal battles, regulations at state conference
In October 2023, Park Township Neighbors (PTN) sued Park Township, claiming it improperly amended its zoning ordinance to ban short-term rentals in residential areas.
Read more at Fox17
Supreme Court makes it easier to sue for job discrimination over forced transfers
The Supreme Court has made it easier for workers who are transferred from one job to another against their will to pursue job discrimination claims under federal civil rights law, even when they are not demoted or docked pay.
Workers only have to show that the transfer resulted in some, but not necessarily significant, harm to prove their claims, Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court.
Read more at AP News
House Bill 5048 went into effect on Tuesday, allowing localities to set their own lodging taxes that would only affect visitors, not local taxpayers.
Eight counties are taking advantage of the new legislation, including Kent, Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.
Read more Wood TV8
Michigan to offer free gun locks to help owners comply with new secure storage laws
The program, announced Friday by the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, includes 75,000 cable-style gun locks that are now available at county MDHHS offices and some local health departments. All MDHHS offices should have gun locks available no later than June.
Read more at Detroit Free Press
Under the new law, police officers, family members and mental health professionals can go to a circuit court judge and ask for an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). A judge can then order police to temporarily take away someone’s guns if the petitioner shows specific examples of why the person is a threat. That can include prior acts or threats of violence, a serious history of mental illness or recent drug or alcohol abuse.
It’s aimed to keep guns out of the hands of people deemed to be dangerous
Read more at WoodTV8
Starting today, ISPs must display labels with price, speeds, and data caps
Comcast and other ISPs complained that listing every monthly fee would be too difficult, but the FCC rejected the industry's petition to weaken the rules. Big ISPs appear to be complying with the rules so far.
Read more at ars technica
According to the way the law was previously written, a vehicle with historic or authentic license plates could only be used for “participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses, including mechanical testing, but is not used for general transportation.” The new legislation expands the definition of “exhibition” considerably.
Read more at Hagerty Media via MSN
