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Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The Voice of Tennessee Business
Weekly Newsletter | July 6, 2023
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2023 Legislative Update: Other Bills Supported by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Impacting Business & Industry
HUMAN RESOURCES & LABOR
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Public Chapter 403 addresses issues regarding Unemployment Insurance of when individuals receiving UI benefits do not show up for job interviews which is sometimes referred to as "ghosting". This legislation grants employers the choice to report these no-show interviews on a website being developed by the Department of Labor & Workforce Development. This legislation not only provides a clearer definition of what qualifies as a work search, but also raises the minimum weekly work search requirement from three to four for individuals to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Failure to comply with these requirements would result in a temporary loss of unemployment benefits for the respective week.
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Public Chapter 415 establishes that any company receiving TN state grants or ECD incentives if holding a union election, must allow for secret ballot union elections. Tennessee the first state in the nation to tie state grants or incentives to secret ballot union elections. Public Chapter 415 protects the right of secret ballot (confidential voting process) during unionization efforts specifically when employers receive economic development incentives from the state instead of card check which involves collecting signatures openly to unionize an employer.
COVID-19 BUSINESS LIABILITY PROTECTIONS
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Public Chapter 48 makes Tennessee’s COVID-19 business liability protection laws permanent. The Tennessee Chamber supported making the Tennessee COVID-19 Recovery Act permanent, which provides business protections for all industries and prevents frivolous lawsuits. This legislation also prohibits COVID vaccine mandates.
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Tell us Your Story:
Share Your Business Success & Best Practices
2023-2024 Tennessee Chamber Business Insider Magazine
Does your company have a remarkable success story or best practice that deserves recognition? We want to shine a spotlight on your achievements!
Submit your accomplishments through this form for an opportunity to be featured in the next issue of Business Insider magazine.
The Business Insider magazine is distributed to key business and political leaders, chambers of commerce and economic development agencies across the state. Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your excellence!
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ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY SPOTLIGHT | |
The Tennessee Chamber actively engages in air, water, underground storage tank, remediation, and solid waste legislation and regulations administered and proposed through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conversation (TDEC). Click the link below to view the May 2023 Newsletter. Contact Laura Leigh Harris for further information. | |
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2023 Environment & Energy Awards
Highlight Your Company's Environment & Energy Work
Deadline Extended to Friday, July 21st
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The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2023 Environment and Energy Awards is a tremendous opportunity to recognize businesses & manufacturers that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in environmental protection and enhancement as well as proactive and innovative energy projects.
Awards will be given to companies in these categories: Air Quality, Water Quality, and Solid & Hazardous Waste Management. An “Environmental Excellence Award” will be given to the nominee(s) who demonstrates the best overall efforts in environmental innovation or improvements. Only those industries that have combinations of air, water, solid waste and/or hazardous waste permits are eligible for this award. Additionally, an “Energy Excellence Award” will be given to an industry who has implemented significant energy innovation or improvements.
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Update From The Division of Air Pollution Control: Title V Fees
The Division of Air Pollution Control provided an overview of the proposed Title V diversification schedule during the Air Pollution Control Board meeting this past Wednesday. Slides from the meeting are linked below. If your business pays Title V fees, you will be impacted by this. There will be a public hearing August 8, and it will go before the board on October 1st.
Your feedback is very important as the Chamber develops its position on this proposal. The TN Chamber is hosting an in-person Air Subcommittee meeting to garner feedback on Wednesday, July 19, 11:00am CT at the Chamber office (414 Union St., Nashville, TN).
*Virtual meeting option available*
Please contact Laura Leigh Harris for more information.
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Tax Policy Forum with Senator Marsha Blackburn
Monday, July 17th, 10:00am | Nashville City Club
A number of Tennessee businesses are greatly impacted by Section 163 J, an interest expense limitation that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in December of 2017 and was further limited in 2022. Join us for a discussion with Senator Marsha Blackburn regarding the need for a federal solution to alleviate this expensive tax burden on Tennessee businesses.
Senator Marsha Blackburn, the senior Senator from Tennessee, serves on the Deputy Whip Team and is a member of the Finance Committee; the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee; the Veterans Affairs Committee; and the Judiciary Committee. She serves as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security and the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. Elected in 2018 as the first woman to represent the Volunteer State in the United States Senate, Senator Blackburn is up for reelection.
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2023 Environment, Energy & Recycling Conference
August 23-25th, Gatlinburg, TN
Save the date for one of Tennessee’s most prominent Environmental Policy and Regulatory conferences, hosted by the Tennessee Chamber. This two-day conference connects environmental and industry leaders from across the state with representatives of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and Region IV of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss emerging environmental regulatory and environmental management issues as well as to celebrate environmental and energy improvements in the state.
Sponsorship opportunities now available!
View sponsorship opportunities
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Tennessee Chamber(s) of Commerce DC Fly In
September 18-20 | Washington, DC
The Tennessee Chamber is proud to announce a Washington D.C. Fly In for 2023. This opportunity presents a unique opportunity for Tennessee companies to weigh in on important policy topics at the federal level. We hope you can join us and make this event a great success. Planned activities include meetings with Tennessee’s U.S. Senate and House delegation and staff and policy briefings with some of the most influential national associations impacting business.
Sponsorship opportunities available. Email Jim Skelton, Director, Member Services & Programs
View Sponsorship Opportunities
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Business Tax Workshop (CLE and CPE offered)
Thursday, September 28th | 8:00am-3:00pm
One of our longest standing events, held in the Fall, the seminar is designed to help tax and legal professionals, government affairs, nd operational managers understand and prepare for tax policy. The seminar provides important updates from the Tennessee Department of Revenue, legislative updates, and new/emerging tax issues impacting business & industry. The event concludes with a meeting of our tax committee that allows member companies the opportunity to weigh in on tax policy for the upcoming session.
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TN Chamber Business Open
Monday, October 2 | 1:00pm Shotgun Start
Hermitage Golf Course
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Join us for a day on the course. This Annual tournament is one of the largest in the area providing a number gifts, hole sponsorship activities and sponsorships. It is a great time to for business & industry leaders to network, and build relationships. Lunch begins at 12:00pm with a shotgun start at 1:00pm.
Sponsorship opportunities available Email Jim Skelton for additional information.
View Sponsorship Information
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Record Keeping (8:30am-12:00pm)
Many people are not sure how to complete the OSHA 300 forms correctly. Accurate records are important for many reasons and TOSHA expects employers to comply with the rules for keeping records that truly reflect workplace injuries and illnesses that occur in Tennessee. At this seminar, the student will get the information needed to record cases correctly, and will learn when cases should not be recorded. Correctly recorded data should also be used effectively in your facility to help maintain a safe and healthy workplace. This seminar provides practical hands-on training and information on the recordkeeping system and the OSHA 300 log. The seminar will also define the requirements for electronically reporting injury and illness data. Employers can now electronically report their Form 300A data to OSHA. This seminar is a basic level and is intended for anyone with recordkeeping responsibilities.
Maintenance Related (8:30am-4:30pm)
This workshop is designed specifically for maintenance personnel responsible for correcting non-compliance areas and for maintaining machines and equipment in a manner that will guarantee continuous compliance. This workshop will help maintenance people achieve the results that are necessary to insure continuous compliance. Of course, anyone who has any TOSHA compliance responsibility can benefit from this.
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MEMBER EVENTS & DISCOUNT PROGRAMS | |
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TAMA Annual Golf Scramble
Thursday, August 10 | 7:30am Shotgun Start
Old Fort Golf Course, Murfreesboro, TN
The annual TAMA golf scramble will be held on Thursday, August 10 at the Old Fort Golf Course in Murfreesboro, TN. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. We will divide the group into two flights with first and second place trophies awarded for each flight. We will also have a longest drive contest for both men and ladies, a closest to the pin for both men and ladies, as well as a putting contest. Drinks will be provided on the course. Range balls will be available prior to teeing off. Back by popular demand will be the trophy for the most engaged hole sponsor. Hole sponsorships are available while they last. Come out and join the networking and fun on the links.
Foursome Team
$600 (Members)
$800 (Non-Members)
$150 - Individual Player
Sponsorship opportunities available! Contact [email protected]
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The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry selected Constellation as their endorsed natural gas supplier in 2018. Constellation offers Tennessee Chamber members greater flexibility to help develop natural gas management solutions to protect your bottom line.
Why Choose the Tennessee Chamber Energy Program?
- Customized energy programs specifically designed for manufacturers.
- Fully negotiated multiyear contract terms give the option to lock in competitive prices for the
- short or long term
- Dedicated customer care representatives ensure timely and accurate billing services.
- Free online energy management reporting tools to track usage and billing.
- Customers who participate in Constellation association energy programs such as the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry Energy Program tend to report better overall customer satisfaction.
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414 Union Street, Suite 107, Nashville, TN 37219
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