In This Section:
FCC Delays Implementing Junk Fax Law
CEC Tweaks Language On Lighting, Equipment
Illinois Capital, Chicago Both Go Non-Smoking
K.C. Joins Ranks In Crackdown On Street Vendors
This issue's Economic Report Sponsor: FER's Customer Choice Dealer Awards | Industry ReportSponsor: MUFES '06, Feb. 11-13, 2006
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FCC Delays Implementing Junk Fax Law
Do you fax menus or offers to customers and prospects? If so, you've got another brief reprieve, at least as far as the federal law is concerned.
You may remember that a while back we reported on see-saw legal wrangling over The Junk Fax Prevention Act, which was signed into law last July.
Now comes another batch of good news and bad news. The good news is that the Federal Communications Commission pushed back the Jan. 9 effective date to allow time for getting additional input on how best to implement the new law's requirements. So as of now, you can still fax promotional messages to customers and prospects until April 5 before you're required to get their prior written permission.
The bad news, of course, is that if you're the recipient of unwanted junk faxes, they'll keep on coming until April 5.
Importantly, the act provides for an exemption. If a business sending faxes can prove an "existing business relationship" with recipients, no signature is required. Otherwise, businesses have to get prior written permission and provide fax recipients with opt-out contact information. The FCC now is seeking comments on what the definition of an established business relationship should be, as well as whether there should be limits on its duration.
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CEC Tweaks Language On Lighting, Equipment
The California Energy Commission has posted proposed amendments to the latest version of its energy efficiency regulations. But don't panic. The amendments are geared primarily to cleaning up language in the regulations, particularly where it comes to definitions of certain types of lighting.
The proposed language adds definitions and energy efficiency standards for general service and enhanced spectrum incandescent lamps, incandescent reflector lamps and metal halide luminaries. Because of the changes, however, the CEC also had to tweak language in sections covering pieces of foodservice equipment, like refrigerators and ovens, that have lighting inside.
A preliminary Energy Commission Efficiency Committee Hearing public hearing is set for Feb. 14, with the full Commission considering adoption on March 1. Visit the Commission's Website at www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/2006rulemaking1/documents/index.html#relied to review the proposed language.
Section sponsored by APW Wyott Innovations
Illinois Capital, Chicago Both Go Non-Smoking
Springfield, Ill., the state's capital, and Chicago both are now among the state's no-smoking towns. City councils both upstate and downstate approved ordinances that ban smoking in all public workplaces. Springfield's new law takes effect in September, before the next municipal election, which could make it a campaign issue. Chicago's ordinance, which became effective on Jan. 16, doesn't include bars (or restaurants with separate bar areas) until July 1, 2008, well after the next mayoral and council elections.
A change in state legislation last year made it possible for "home rule" towns to establish their own policies regarding smoking as long as they're no less stringent than state law. The state only requires restaurants to have no-smoking sections. Municipalities across the state have been debating the issue ever since. The result has been a patchwork of local ordinances. The city council in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, for example, recently voted down a proposed smoking ban. Some members say they expect state law to ban smoking eventually anyway.
Section sponsored by APW Wyott Innovations
K.C. Joins Ranks In Crackdown On Street Vendors
Kansas City is the latest metropolis to get the bug to crack down on street vendors. The city has passed tighter regulations requiring pushcart and mobile catering vendors to display a numbered city badge or certificate. The licensing is designed to ensure that vendors have passed all health inspections and are operating with a current valid business license.
The ordinance bans vendors from a couple of public spaces, including a shopping district and streets adjacent to the entrances to Bartle Hall and Municipal Stadium. Otherwise, they're allowed on practically any city street or sidewalk. More controversial was the city council's decision to prohibit vendors from setting up shop within 50 feet of a competing business. The new reg will take effect as soon as badges or certificates are available, likely in a month or two. Violators can be fined up to $500 or jailed for up to six months.
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