School Security, Life Safety and Alarm Contract Legislation Becomes Law in April

School Security, Life Safety and Alarm Contract Legislation Becomes Law in April

School security and safety related bills dominated the state legislative activity for the last two months. There were 82 bills that were introduced or moved during this time and many of these bills will provide for infrastructure improvements that include...
School Violence Legislation Leads Federal Activity in March

School Violence Legislation Leads Federal Activity in March

In the wake of Parkland, Florida and the organized protests that followed, Congress is moving with several pieces of legislation that make substantial efforts to do something about the more immediate infrastructure improvements needed to address school safety. Some bills...
School Security, Employer Liability, Fire/Life Safety and more, Lead March Measures

School Security, Employer Liability, Fire/Life Safety and more, Lead March Measures

Legislative action leads to new statutes and there were plenty of new laws with potential impact on the electronic security industry enacted in March. The following highlights some of the more notable bills enacted into law. Legislative action leads to...
School Security, False Alarms Lead February Measures

School Security, False Alarms Lead February Measures

February 2018 was another unprecedented month for legislation driven by a tragic ‘focusing event’. But, other legislation that demands attention also warrants some discussion. The mass shooting in Parkland, Florida spurred Legislatures to file bills that take numerous approaches to school...
Federal Issues Update: Senate’s “STOP School Violence Act” is a Positive Step

Federal Issues Update: Senate’s “STOP School Violence Act” is a Positive Step

After years of providing funds to study and research the cause of mass shooter attacks and theoretical approaches to preventing them in schools, Congress now appears ready to authorize meaningful funding to detect, deter and when possible, prevent future attacks....
Tax Reform – Reflections on the Impact to Electronic Security and Life Safety Businesses

Tax Reform – Reflections on the Impact to Electronic Security and Life Safety Businesses

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” into law. While media pundits speculated from liberal and conservative perspectives the impact the most significant tax reform in over 30 years would have on the economy,...
Bill to Allow Businesses to Expense Fire Alarm and Security Systems

Bill to Allow Businesses to Expense Fire Alarm and Security Systems

The most significant tax bill in over 30 years was passed by Congress and signed into law on December 22, 2017 by President Trump. Over 23 million comments were filed in response to an FCC plan to reverse a two-year...
What Really Matters With “Net Neutrality”

What Really Matters With “Net Neutrality”

Many virtual barrels of ink have spilled on the topic of “net neutrality” over the last two years and no issue has generated more intense scrutiny and public interest with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) since it published its proposed...
Will the “Save Local Business Act” Save Businesses Including Yours?

Will the “Save Local Business Act” Save Businesses Including Yours?

In the midst of the media and Congress focusing on tax reform and President Trump’s trip through Asia, a relatively harmless looking, one-page bill passed the House on November 7 that  could really live up to its name, the “Save...
Paid Family Leave – Long Overdue or Just Another Burden on Business?

Paid Family Leave – Long Overdue or Just Another Burden on Business?

Paid Family Leave (PFL) is a concept that may be foreign to many members, but those in states like California, Rhode Island and New Jersey it is a current reality. And, it is coming to New York, Washington state and...