Jones Walker LLP

Senator Del Marsh, who served as president pro tem of the Alabama Senate 2010–2020, introduced on February 9, 2021, SB214, a bill proposing an amendment to the Alabama Constitution (the CA). The CA proposes comprehensive authorization of gaming, including a lottery, five casinos, and sports wagering. It also authorizes and encourages Governor Kay Ivey to enter into a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (the Poarch) to permit class III casino-style gaming at…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

Helping the Show Go On: Shuttered Venue Operators Grants

By Curt Hearn & Josh DeCuir

February 17, 2021

The COVID-19 relief package enacted on December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, appropriated $15 billion to fund the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVP). The Small Business Administration (SBA) will disburse these funds as grants to qualifying live theatre operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organizations, museums, motion picture theatre operators, and talent representatives (Venues). A venue may use the grant proceeds to cover eligible expenses incurred between March 1, 2020,…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

Mask Order on Certain Modes of Domestic Travel — US Coast Guard To Implement Public Health Measures at Sea Ports and Will Enforce CDC Guidelines

By Richard Bertram & Marc Hebert

February 5, 2021

On January 21, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) 13998 to promote COVID-19 safety in domestic and international travel. The EO confirms existing public health measures and implements new measures that will impact marine operators and activities within sea ports for both domestic and international travel. Section 2 of the EO includes the “Mask Order” and requires mask wearing on certain modes of domestic transportation. The Mask Order went into effect on February…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

DOL Eases FMLA Compliance Regarding Telemedicine Visits and Required Postings

By Jennifer Kogos

January 6, 2021

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On December 29, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued two guidance bulletins addressing compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The first made clear that telemedicine visits will permanently[1] be allowed as an FMLA-approved visit if certain conditions are met. The second permits employers to provide FMLA-required postings electronically to employees when the work is being performed remotely. Telemedicine Visits As you know, a qualifying reason for FMLA leave is…

Cooking with SALT

Mississippi Should Follow New Federal Treatment of PPP Deductions

By John Fletcher

January 6, 2021

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When Congress recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, it explicitly reversed the IRS’s earlier position that expenses paid with non-taxable forgiven PPP loan proceeds could not be deducted. As a result of this legislation, the IRS recently issued Revenue Ruling 2021-2 confirming that the act reversed its prior guidance in Notice 2020-32 and Rev. Rul. 2020-27 which purported to deny a “double-dip” with those deductions. Thus, for federal income tax purposes the expenses…

Gulf States Gaming Law

2020 Regional Gaming Highlights

By J. Kelly Duncan, Tommy Shepherd, Matthew C. McDonald, Zach Branson & Chris Ulfers

December 29, 2020

AlabamaIn late 2019, the Birmingham Race Course placed 301 historical horse racing machines at its facility. The machines, known as historical pari-mutuel betting, allow users to place wagers on horse races that have already taken place. The machines use historical information from previously run races, allowing bettors to pick the favorites or handicap for themselves. While issues pertaining to COVID-19 impacted and temporarily shut down operations at the facility after reopening, the Birmingham Race Course…

Gulf States Gaming Law

2020 Mississippi Milestones

By Tommy Shepherd & Zach Branson

December 29, 2020

We took a deeper dive into Mississippi’s milestones throughout 2020 and have listed those highlights below. UMUSIC Broadwater Hotel and CasinoDakia Global U-Ventures and Universal Music Group announced a $1.2 billion resort to be built in Biloxi starting in 2021, with a target opening in 2023. The planned resort would have 1,150 hotel rooms, a 12,000-seat entertainment venue, and an 18-hole golf course. Multi-State Draw DebutFollowing the successful launch of the Mississippi Lottery in November…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

Updated CDC Guidance on Quarantine Length for Exposed Individuals Who Are Asymptomatic

By Chris Mann

December 2, 2020

On December 2nd, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on the length of quarantine required for an individual who is asymptomatic but was in close contact with someone with COVID-19. The prior guidance required quarantine for 14 days (other than for critical infrastructure workers). The new guidance allows for quarantine to end 10 days after exposure or 7 days after exposure when combined with a negative test. The test can…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

The Pandemic Is Far from Over, but I-9 “Flexibility” Might Be

By Laurie Riley

November 17, 2020

You’re probably used to having Plan A, Plan B, and a plethora of contingency plans to deal with the many challenges posed by the pandemic. Because the government has not decided whether to extend the “flexibility” given to employers with respect to the verification of I-9 documents, employers might need to be ready for the procedures to return to “normal.” Since March, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has allowed employers operating remotely due to…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

The COVID-19 Workplace is Not a Time to Forget Your Normal Workplace Rules and Policies

By JoJo Adams

November 6, 2020

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COVID-19 has caused many challenges in the workplace. Employees are working from home, working hybrid schedules, and conducting meetings by Zoom and other “not in person” methods. While things in today’s workplace range from fluid to uncertain to sometimes chaotic, employers are not relieved from complying with federal and state employment laws and requirements. There is no “COVID-19” exception to Title VII. Employers must still comply with federal and state employment rules that existed prior…