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ConneCtiCut CeMA: Law Alert Effective Jan. 1, 2015, Connecticut's min- imum wage went to $9.15 per hour, up from $8.70 an hour. The increase is the result of a new law Gov. Malloy signed earlier that requires a series of increases through 2017. Following this increase, there are two more scheduled under the adopted law: it will rise to $9.60 on Jan. 1, 2016 and then to $10.10 on Jan. 1, 2017. Connecticut was the first state in the nation to commit to increasing the min- imum wage to $10.10 per hour. Out of Connecticut's workforce of 1.7 million people, it is estimated 70,000 to 90,000 workers now earn the minimum wage. The minimum wage in Connecticut had been $8.25 before changing to $8.70 an hour on Jan. 1, 2014. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and it was last increased in 2009. Connecticut Minimum Wage for Minors: According to the Connecticut Department of Labor, minors may be paid 85% of the state minimum wage or $7.78 per hour for the first 200 hours of work. Connecticut Overtime Law: For all employees, state law requires overtime after 40 hours in the payroll week. Connecticut employers are not required to pay a higher rate on Sundays or holidays, unless there is such a wage agreement in place, usu- ally in the employee handbook. However, restaurant employees are entitled to the overtime rate (1.5 x the minimum wage, not the tipped wage) for time worked on the 7th day in the payroll week. Source: http://blog.laborlawcenter. com/news/connecticut-minimum-wage- increase-2015/ nPGA: existing Conn. Rules Remain in effect into 2015 On Wed., Dec. 3, 2014, a public hearing was held on new fire codes for Connecticut. These codes, once fully vetted, will replace the existing Connecticut Propane Supplement. It appears at this time that this will not happen until sometime late in the first quarter of 2015. In the interim period, the existing Connecticut Propane Supplement and all of its provisions will remain in effect. This includes the 4 day rule and all the other provisions. new HAMPsHiRe nPGA: n.H. Alternative Fuel Dealers tax On Jan. 1, 2015, a "road toll" became effec- tive for propane and natural gas vehicles. In preparation to collect and remit those taxes, everyone who dispenses propane into a vehicle must obtain an Alternative Fuel Dealers License and post a bond to cover the tax liability. If you pump propane into your own company vehicles or sell to the public, you need this license. If you have any questions contact David Bunjo at (603)223-8075/ext. 13075 PennsyLvAniA PPA: Pennsylvania oil Franchise tax to increase in 2015: 9.8 Cents for Gasoline, 13.2 Cents for Diesel The Department of Revenue published notice in the Dec. 13 PA Bulletin the state Oil Franchise Tax on gasoline and diesel fuel will be increasing again in 2015 to pay for the transportation improvement pro- gram enacted in 2012. The tax on gasoline will be 50.5 cents per gallon, up 9.8 cents from 2014 and the tax on diesel fuel will be 64.2 cents per gal- lon, up 13.2 cents from last year. Prior to the transportation funding plan, the Oil Franchise Tax on gasoline was 19.2 cents and 26.1 cents on diesel in 2012. The Oil Franchise Tax is imposed on wholesale distributors of gasoline and diesel fuel and may or may not result in a one-for-one increase in fuel cost at the pump. $800k settlement against tennessee Gas Pipeline The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced a set- tlement with Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC for multiple violations of the Clean Streams Law during the con- struction of a natural gas pipeline in 2011 and 2012 through four counties in north- east and northcentral Pennsylvania. The violations occurred during con- struction of the company's "300 Line Project" in Potter, Susquehanna, Wayne and Pike counties. According to the agreement, TGP will pay a penalty of $210,000 and will fund a $540,000 clean-up program of illegal dumpsites in Pike, Potter, Susquehanna and Wayne Counties. The fund will be administered by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council over a four year period. TGP has also agreed to pay cost recovery monies to four Conservation Districts and the Department in the amount of $50,002. "This civil penalty is two-fold in its benefit to the public," DEP Northeast Regional Director Mike Bedrin said. "It eliminates unsightly and illegal dumpsites that are problematic for many communi- ties across the state and it directs more money into the Pennsylvania Clean Water fund, which is designed to protect the waterways of the Commonwealth." The Pennsylvania Clean Water Fund supports educational and environmental programs that benefit clean water efforts. During 73 inspections of the "300 Line Project," inspectors with the Potter, Susquehanna, Wayne and Pike County Conservation Districts discovered viola- tions including the discharge of sediment pollution into the waters of the com- monwealth, some of which are protected as "High Quality" or "Exceptional Value Waters," and failure to implement required construction best management practices to protect water quality. The clean-up project will provide a substantial public health, safety and envi- ronmental benefit; and outside of this agreement, the project is not something that TGP is otherwise legally required to do. STATE BY STATE N e w s 10 FeBRuARy 2015 | FueL oiL news | www.fueloilnews.com