Advocacy in Action | May 1, 2026

THANK YOU for making Night at the Capitol a success!

Restaurants, hotels and hospitality businesses came together on Wednesday at the State Capitol to show legislators that our industry is a force that cannot be ignored! 

Over 30 hospitality businesses tabled, and the event welcomed over 200 attendees, including legislators and key decision makers, legislati

Night at the Capitol came at an important time during the final weeks in session, and a key focus of this event was engaging directly with legislators about the impact of fixing the meals tax by advancing one of the most important bills of the session: SB 2.

SB 2 takes the 1% meals and beverage tax Connecticut already collects — over $100 million a year — and returns half to the towns that generated it, while dedicating the other half to marketing Connecticut as a destination worth visiting.

Huge thank you to the amazing businesses who tabled, and to all our industry attendees for showing up and sending a clear message: our industry matters.

The Department of Labor proposed a rule to clarify when multiple businesses qualify as joint employers under federal wage-and-hour laws. It would restore guidance rescinded in 2021 and create a single standard across major statutes.

Joint-employer rules shape how businesses structure franchises, staffing, and contractor relationships — and determine when one company can be liable for another’s wage violations.

The proposal sets separate standards for:

• Vertical joint employment (e.g., franchisors, contractors, staffing firms), using a four-factor test focused on control over hiring/firing, schedules and conditions, pay, and records. Day-to-day control matters most.

• Horizontal joint employment, where related businesses share workers; hours may be combined for overtime.

It also clarifies that common practices like franchising, brand standards, or legal compliance don’t alone create joint employment.

The rule aims to restore a clearer, more predictable standard aligned with court precedent, balancing business certainty with worker protections.

A 60-day public comment period runs through June 22, 2026. The National Restaurant Association plans to submit comments and encourages members to share data and real‑world examples.

Read Proposed Rule

OCC Issues Two Interim Final Actions Clarifying Bank Powers Under Federal Law & Preemption of Related State Law

Late last Friday night, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced an interim final rule and interim final order that makes it illegal for States to pass any legislation looking to cap or change “swipe fees” in any way. This includes changes to interchange fees.

According to the Comptroller, States do not have jurisdiction to make these changes, and any change must be made at the federal level. 

Many national organizations, including the National Restaurant Association, are expected to challenge this ruling, which now turns to the courts. We will keep you updated.

The National Restaurant Association has named Robin Repass as Executive Director and Chief Legal Counsel of the Restaurant Law Center (RLC) — the industry’s independent organization dedicated to representing restaurants in the courts.

Robin brings more than two decades of experience in strategic litigation, public policy, and regulatory advocacy, with deep expertise in employment law, workplace safety, and regulatory compliance. She has led complex cases in federal and state courts and built strong coalitions to protect business interests, particularly across the hospitality and foodservice sector.

The Restaurant Law Center plays a critical role in challenging regulatory overreach, correcting unfair marketplace practices, and ensuring courts and policymakers understand the real‑world impact of legal and regulatory decisions on restaurant operators.