As our nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic it is imperative that we have the healthiest and strongest population possible. Physical activity is a key factor in general health and wellbeing, as well as in positive COVID-19 outcomes.

Now, the need for policy encouraging physical activity has been exacerbated by the pandemic’s closing of gyms, parks, and other common sites for exercise. Thankfully, a piece of legislation aimed at addressing this need already exists. The “Personal Health Investment Today Act” (S. 680 and H.R. 1679, commonly referred to as the PHIT Act) provides consumer driven economic stimulus aimed at incentivizing physical activity as a low-cost preventative health measure.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Congress is considering a 4^th stimulus bill to help businesses and families.  The latest version of this legislation is the “Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act”, introduced last week by the Senate Republican leadership.   The question is whether Senate Republicans can reconcile their differences with the House Democrats - who have already passed their own legislation (the “HEROES Act”) - in order to get a bill to the President’s desk for signature. 

On July 1, GCSAA joined nearly 2,500 signatories in urging Congress to extend support to nonprofit associations during COVID-19. Specifically, GCSAA and others called for Congress to include nonprofit 501(c)(6) organizations in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and to reauthorize the PPP until at least the end of 2020. Additionally, GCSAA called on Congress to pass the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020.

On June 22, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) to suspend the issuance of temporary and seasonal worker visas through December 31, 2020. Specifically, the EO suspends the issuance of any new H-1B, H-2B, H-4, L-1, and some J-1 visas, thereby prohibiting the entry of these workers into the United States. This extends and expands upon a similar suspension that has been in place since April 22.  While the EO is a response to the high unemployment the nation is experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many who use H-2B visas, including golf superintendents, believe it will hurt their ability to fill positions that otherwise will remain vacant.   

Chava McKeel, GCSAA’s director of government affairs, participated in the June 1 virtual SFIREG meeting. The State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) and it’s working committees provide a platform for the states and EPA to resolve challenges to successful implementation of pesticide programs and policies in the USA and territories.  Full SFIREG consists of state representatives from the 10 EPA regions who come together biannually to meet with EPA staff.  

On June 3, a three judge panel of the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling vacating the FIFRA registrations of Dicamba. The decision by the 9^th circuit court of appeals specifically affects 3 low-volatility dicamba herbicides, XtendiMax (Bayer), Engenia (BASF) and FeXapan (Corteva) that are used for broad acre agricultural applications. All other dicamba product registrations are unaffected; no dicamba products used in turfgrass are affected. Grass for seed production is on the XtendiMax & FeXapan labels, and grasses are on the general Engenia label; however, managed turfgrass should not fall under either use. EPA is expected to react to this decision that questions the validity of the FIFRA process.

In an attempt to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, in late April, President Trump issued an Executive Order temporarily suspending immigration into the United States. The Immigration Proclamation Although did not suspend the H-2B and other guest worker programs. However, the order did request a review of all guest worker programs as well as a recommendation for possible actions within thirty days. According to sources inside the White House, the Administration is currently weighing multiple options which may carry temporary consequences for the H-2B program.

A round of presidential primaries took place on Tuesday June 2, dubbed “Super Tuesday II”. Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Washington, D.C. all held primary elections. Former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden picked up wins in every state, plus D.C., gathering more votes than Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 was signed into law by President Trump on June 5. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act on Wednesday, June 3, a bill aimed at addressing issues with the Payment Protection Program (PPP). The PPP, a measure of the CARES Act that provides economic relief to small businesses impacted by COVID-19, has been criticized for its faulty roll-out and restrictions. The new bill, passed by the House on May 28 as well, provides small businesses with more flexibility in how they use and allocate federal aid dollars.

The U.S. EPA Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) met May 20-21 via conference call. As reported in February 2020, Mark Johnson, associate director of environmental programs, was named to the PPDC and will serve on the committee through Dec. 9, 2021. Established in 1995, the PPDC is a diverse group of stakeholders chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide feedback to EPA Office of Pesticide Programs on various pesticide regulatory, policy and program implementation issues.

In dealing with the coronavirus, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker implemented many restrictive measures on golf courses in the Prairie State. After being completely closed for play for nearly two months, Pritzker eventually allowed for limited reopening of golf courses. The problem was restrictions were so harsh it simply did not make sense for many courses to open. Those restrictions included twosomes only spaced in 15-minute tee times, no golf cars, no practice facilities, and carry out food could not be consumed on the course. Add that together and the result was eight rounds an hour with very little other revenue – a losing proposition.

On May 20, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public works held a hearing titled, “Oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency”. The hearing offered an opportunity for Committee Members to pose questions to Administrator Andrew Wheeler as well as hear from the Administrator about the work the agency has done to protect the air, water, and environment in the United States.

On May 15, the House voted on and passed a $3-trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill unveiled by the Democratic Majority as part of the next steps to address the pandemic. The great news is that it would expand eligibility for the popular Paycheck Protection Program to include all 501c organizations, including 501c6 orgs and 501c7 orgs.

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt and postpone most major events planned for 2020, election officials have found themselves in an unprecedented predicament this election season. So far, the coronavirus outbreak has impacted, or is poised to impact, four major aspects of the elections: the primary schedule, campaign trail, voter turnout, and incumbent performance.