Policy Update: Vaccines, Redistricting, State Legislative Sessions, and More

Nonprofit Connect works to keep Members updated on policy changes that affect nonprofits through Policy Updates. These messages provide brief information on what is going on in federal government and policy that may be of interest to the nonprofit community.

And join us on Thursday, January 27 for our program: Six Myths About Nonprofit Advocacy (and why your nonprofit should focus on advocacy!) for an in-depth look on how to champion more support for your cause. Learn more and register here.

Vaccine and Testing Rules Update
The US Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard and the CMS Interim Final Rule on Friday January 7th. The OSHA Temporary Standard would require businesses with 100+ employees to ensure their workers are either vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 weekly, if granted an exemption. The CMS Interim Final Rule would require COVID-19 vaccination for staff employed at Medicare and Medicaid providers. The stay on both the OSHA ETS and the CMS rule was lifted last month. If no additional action is taken, as of now, businesses impacted by the OSHA ETS must make it a requirement for workers to be vaccinated or to get weekly tests as of Monday January 10th. The testing and vaccinations must be occurring and enforced by February 8th.
The public comment period on the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard has been extended through January 19. Find out how to make your thoughts known here.
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Voting Rights Legislation and the Future of the Filibuster
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer promised to bring voting rights legislation to the floor for a vote. If it fails to pass, Senator Schumer threatened to consider changes to the filibuster rule (which allows a minority view to prevent an issue from moving forward in the legislative process). Debate on voting and the filibuster could occur as soon as Martin Luther King Day.
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Funding the Government
A Continuing Resolution passed to fund the federal government through February 18, 2022, and the President signed a debt ceiling increase last month to prevent the first ever US default on its debt.
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Local Redistricting – Who Will Represent You?

• Kansas City, MO – The City Council approved a new council district map by a vote of 9-4 on December 16, 2021. The Northland was particularly impacted. These new districts will be in effect for the 2023 Council elections. Learn more.
• Kansas – Kansas has not yet introduced a new district map for debate. Once it does, it must be approved by the state legislature and Governor Kelly.
• Missouri – Missouri legislators released a proposed redistricting map before the end of the new year. The new map was filed as HB 2117 and will need to be approved by the House, Senate, and Governor Parson. Learn more.

• Kansas – The state legislature will return on Monday January 10, 2022. Predicted topics of debate for this session include taxes, redistricting, SPARK dollars and COVID-19 regulations, and health/mental health. View prefiled bills here.
• Missouri – The state legislature returns today, Wednesday January 5, 2022. Predicted topics of debate for this session include redistricting, education, and the gas tax increase. View prefiled bills here.