New bill would simplify ACA compliance

From SAF Now:

After months of worry and uncertainty, seasonal employers in the floral industry who are struggling to comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) finally received a shot of good news this week: the possibility of clearer, more refined legislation that more accurately captures the realities of their modern workforce.

On July 27, Reps. Jim Renacci, (R-16-Ohio), Kurt Schrader (D-5-Ore.), Lynn Jenkins (R-2-Kan.) and Jim Costa (D-16-Calif.) introduced bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives that would simplify ACA compliance for seasonal employers.

The “Simplifying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality (STARS) Act of 2014” would define “seasonal employee” as a worker who is employed on a seasonal basis for six months or less during a calendar year, consistent with Department of Treasury regulations. The act also would simplify the methods for seasonal employers to determine business size and ultimately whether the business and seasonal employees are subject to required offers of coverage under the ACA’s employer mandate.

Real World Problems, Needed Fixes
The bill comes after months of lobbying by SAF and coalition partners; the seasonal employee issue was a key point last March during SAF’s Congressional Action Days, when SAF members from around the country shared firsthand stories that illustrate the challenges presented by the law with members of Congress and key staff members.

Bill Kluth of Tagawa Greenhouses in Colorado has been a leading voice for change; his company depends on seasonal workers to plant, provide maintenance and ship during the busy spring season.

“All our employees — regular full-time or part-time or seasonal — are important and valuable to us,” Kluth said. “And we treat them with respect and provide them with the benefits they deserve based on their employment status. In order to do this, we need consistent and easy to understand definitions of who qualifies as a seasonal worker.”

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