Several new requirements related to underground storage tanks (USTs) have taken effect over the past few years. As fuel retailers, most NATSO members own and operate USTs for motor fuels and must comply with state and federal regulations. To help truckstop and travel plaza owners stay current on UST requirements, NATSO has compiled a regulatory toolkit outlining the latest UST standards.
David Fialkov
Count Down to Election Day
We’re coming down the electoral home stretch (at last!).
With Election Day less than one week away, it increasingly looks like Americans will elect Hillary Clinton to be the next President of the United States. It also appears that Democrats will win some seats in the House of Representatives, but not enough to regain a majority.
The Senate races are where the real “action” will be on Election Night. Democrats need to pick up just four seats (assuming Mrs. Clinton wins the Presidency) to regain majority control of the upper congressional chamber.
Although I plan to deliver a detailed post-election analysis and preview of the next Congress and Presidential Administration at The NATSO Show on Monday, January 23, 2017, I wanted to share some information now that you may find helpful.
Compliance Corner: Changes to Labor Rules Will Affect NATSO Members
The National Labor Relations Board has revised the so-called “joint employer” standard significantly to expand the scope of determining “co-employment” under the National Labor Relations Act. Specifically, the NLRB decided that a company could be considered a “joint employer” if it possesses the right to control various terms and conditions of employment, regardless of whether that company actually exercises such control.
In addition, the Department of Labor has released “guidance” that has the effect of limiting employers’ ability to classify workers as “independent contractors” rather than employees. Both moves will have a direct affect on NATSO members as the franchisor-franchisee business model is ubiquitous throughout the truckstop and travel plaza industry and many NATSO members utilize independent contractors.
Compliance Corner: Menu Labeling Requirements Take Effect Next Year
Beginning in May 2017, chain restaurants and “similar retail food establishments,” including many convenience stores operated by truckstop owners and operators, will be required to post calories for prepared food items they sell.
The menu labeling rule applies to any retail establishment with 20 or more locations, including franchises, operating under the same name, offering for sale substantially the same menu items, that sells food that is intended for consumption soon after being purchased.
Compliance Corner: Understanding Requirements Surrounding Tobacco at Your Truckstop
All retailers that sell tobacco are subject to sales and marketing restrictions. Punishments for violations are severe. It is imperative that all NATSO members that carry tobacco products understand their legal obligations as tobacco retailers.
There are several key issues operators should be aware of…
NATSO Opposes Various Efforts to Commercialize Roadways
Four years ago, the US Senate voted overwhelmingly to reject a proposal to commercialize highway rest areas.
This 86-12 lopsided victory was a bipartisan show of support for truckstops, travel centers, and other private enterprises located outside the public right of way.
However, this big win did not kill the lure of commercialization. Indeed, although there is little threat of a complete repeal of the long-standing ban on commercializing rest areas, there are sporadic efforts throughout the country to gradually peel back the ban, as politicians seeking road money lured by false promises of quick-and-easy revenue.
Compliance Corner: New Overtime Rules Take Effect December 2016
In May 2016, the Department of Labor finalized new rules governing which employees are eligible for overtime pay. Under the new rules, any employee earning less than $47,476 per year ($913 per week) is entitled to overtime pay (at least 1.5 times their normal salary) for all hours worked per week in excess of 40. Nondiscretionary bonuses may count toward up to 10 percent of an employee’s salary if they are paid on a quarterly or more frequent basis.
The new salary threshold will go into effect Dec. 1, 2016.
Compliance Corner: Stay Current on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Requirements
Many of the convenience stores within truckstop and travel plaza redeem Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and those who accept SNAP will need to comply with forthcoming requirements that are designed to provide greater varieties of food and prohibit SNAP recipients from purchasing ineligible items.
Is It Worth “Switching” To EMV At My Truckstop?
Today is the deadline. What should I do? Is it worth “switching” to EMV at my truckstop?
EMV And Pins: What Does My Truckstop Need To Know?
Is EMV the most secure payment method available?
How Does The “EMV Shift” Deadline Apply To My Truckstop’s Fuel Dispensers?
Does the October 1, 2015 deadline apply to my fuel dispensers?
No. Automated fuel dispensers will have until 2017 to make the shift to EMV. Until then, they will follow existing fraud liability rules. Thus, while inside-the-store point-of-sale equipment faces a liability shift deadline of October 1, 2015, fuel dispensers have two extra years. Gilbarco recently announced that the company has seen a record high in automated fuel dispenser orders, indicating that large, regional retailers are upgrading their dispenser payment platforms to support new EMV standards.