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Legislative News

NAMA publishes legislative information for members. This information reviews important developments in Congress, the states, and regulatory bodies across the country. Frequent newsletters, two comprehensive legislative reports, and special bulletins are published during the year. Also, NAMA often works with its state councils in sharing and distributing important information for members. Below are some recent publications.
Current Legislative Alert
March 5, 2010 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $15 billion Senate jobs bill this week. The legislation includes Section 179 tax provisions which will help vending companies purchase vending machines. It also includes a $13 billion payroll tax exemption for businesses hiring workers who had previously been unemployed for at least 60 days.
February 26, 2010 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
More than 35 states will begin programs in March and April to distribute almost $300 million in rebates to consumers buying energy-efficient appliances. The federally funded programs, similar to the cash-for-clunkers auto rebate program last year, are intended to improve energy efficiency and stimulate the economy.
February 19, 2010 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
The jobs bill U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced in early February, does not yet have enough support to come to a final vote. However, a major component of the proposal would assist the vending industry.
February 12, 2010 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
The Senate is considering a jobs bill which may help vending operators.
U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has introduced a jobs bill which includes four components...
January 29, 2010 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
Following Wednesday’s State of the Union Address by President Obama, Senate Democrats are turning their attention to an $82-billion jobs creation bill that could include a 2010 Social Security payroll tax break for employers who hire workers that have been unemployed for at least 60 days.
January 22, 2010 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
First Lady Michelle Obama is planning to launch a major initiative during February to combat obesity in children.
January 15, 2010 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
As Democratic leadership in the House and Senate reconcile the final healthcare legislation, your National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) asks all members to email, write and telephone their U.S. Senators requesting changes to allow flexibility in method of labeling and legal protection for potential minor mistakes in labeling.
January 8, 2010 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
With the U.S. Senate passing healthcare reform legislation on Christmas Eve, it remains extremely likely that calories will have to be disclosed in vending. One sentence in the federal health care reform language requires that any business which owns or operates 20 or more vending machines disclose the caloric content of vended food and beverage products.
December 18, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
A final vote on the U.S. Senate Healthcare reform bill is expected to occur on Christmas Eve. To help educate Senators about the calorie disclosure in vending requirement which is included in this bill, your National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has launched an action alert.
December 11, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
Your National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has launched an action alert requesting that NAMA members email, write and telephone their U.S. Senators requesting changes in the Senate healthcare reform legislation.
December 4, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
The U.S. Senate is currently debating H. R. 3590 the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."
November 20, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
The Blind Entrepreneurs Alliance has joined with NAMA to lobby Congress on the Congressional healthcare reform legislation which requires owners or operators of 20 or more vending machines to disclose calories of all food and beverage prior to the point of purchase.
November 13, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
Shortly before midnight on Saturday, November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962 by a vote of 220-215. This healthcare reform legislation includes language which will require those who own or operate "20 or more vending machines" to disclose calorie information of all food and beverages by providing "a sign in close proximity to each article of food or the selection button that includes a clear and conspicuous statement."
November 6, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
Legislation requiring disclosure of calories for food sold in vending machines is included in H.R. 3962—The Affordable Health Care for America Act, which is schedule for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives this weekend.
October 30, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
Legislation unveiled on Thursday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) includes draft language which will require disclosure of calories for food and beverages sold in vending machines.
October 23, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
When the merged Senate healthcare reform bill is made public, it is not expected to include a new federal excise tax on sugar sweetened beverages. However, when that legislation moves to the U.S. Senate chamber for a full vote, we remain poised for a potential amendment which might add this new tax.
October 16, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
In recognition that job creation is critically important, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives has said that some business tax breaks could soon be extended or expanded.
October 9, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
NAMA Has Tool Kit to Prepare for Swine Flu Preparation
October 2, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
All NAMA members are strongly encouraged to send a letter to their U.S. Senators opposing the potential new federal tax on sugar sweetened beverages. The proposed new tax of three cents per 12 ounces would be used to pay for health care reform.
September 18, 2009 NAMA Member Legislative Alert
Your NAMA team, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has built a new government affairs website, which will be launched at the NAMA Expo in Chicago . The website is designed to help NAMA members learn about, track and communicate with elected officials on our critical legislative issues. The website allows members to send emails directly to state and federal elected officials.
August 21, 2009 Federal Issues: Study on U.S. Currency Changes Released - As expected, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) released a study of steps which could be taken to accommodate blind and visually impaired in distinguishing currency denominations….”
2009 Mid-Year Legislative Report
Overview
Every state, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Congress convened in legislative sessions this year. The recession hurt many state economies...
Special Legislative Bulletin 09-15
Tennessee Enacts Energy Efficient Lighting Requirements For Vending Machines On State Property
On June 5th Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen signed a bill into law requiring all vending machines installed on state property after July 1, 2009 to use energy efficient lights for advertising purposes or have such lights removed entirely from the machine. Any light used...
Special Legislative Bulletin 09-14
U.S. Senate Legislation Advancing On Calorie Disclosure In Vending
As was widely reported in the media, on June 10th U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) announced a compromise on legislation which would require calorie and other nutrition information on chain restaurant menus. The compromise is supported...
Special Legislative Bulletin 09-13
Federal
Federal Excise Tax on Sugared Beverages
The U. S. Senate Committee on Finance is holding a meeting on Wednesday, May 20 to discuss imposing a federal excise tax on beverages as part of proposals on how to pay for health care reform. There are several...
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