Comments on H.R. 7128
B-199375: Published: Jul 28, 1980. Publicly Released: Jul 28, 1980.
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Comments were given on proposed legislation dealing with deposits on beverage containers. The bill would require GAO to monitor its effects on competition, resource recovery, and the U.S. economy. GAO would prefer to be given the latitude to review the program effects as part of the congressional oversight process or as part of the GAO ongoing evaluation efforts, and suggested that the monitoring function of the bill be assigned to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA would be most suited for this because it has been involved in resource recovery issues for many years. The bill requires that soft drink franchises sell their packaged beverages in containers with refunds in order to maintain their exclusive geographical franchise. The practical effect of this would bring the soft drink industry under a mandatory deposit system for all containers which would lessen beverage container litter and solid waste and contribute to energy and raw material savings. The potential benefit is not as high in the beer industry, because about 35 percent of the soft drink volume sold in containers is already in refillable containers, compared to 10 percent for the beer industry. A Federal Trade Commission ruling that territorial franchises be invalidated to restore competition in the soft drink industry affect the bill's requirement that all soft drink containers be refundable. If the soft drink franchise loses territorial exclusivity, consolidation might occur among the 2,000 soft drink bottling plants. Centralization and consolidation could result in a marked decrease in the share of refillable soft drink containers. If a bill such as this succeeds in effectively bringing the soft drink industry under a beverage container refund law, there could be continued pressure to enact a mandatory refund law for the beer industry.
Feb 26, 2021
Servicemember Rights:
Mandatory Arbitration Clauses Have Affected Some Employment and Consumer Claims but the Extent of Their Effects is UnknownGAO-21-221: Published: Feb 26, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 2021.
Feb 18, 2021
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Workplace Safety and Health:
Actions Needed to Improve Reporting of Summary Injury and Illness DataGAO-21-122: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 18, 2021.
Jan 27, 2021
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Military Spouse Employment:
DOD Should Continue Assessing State Licensing Practices and Increase Awareness of ResourcesGAO-21-193: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2021.
Oct 19, 2020
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Fair Labor Standards Act:
Observations on the Effects of the Home Care RuleGAO-21-72: Published: Oct 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 19, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
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Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act:
Additional DOL Actions Needed to Help States and Employers Address Substance Use DisorderGAO-20-337: Published: May 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
Apr 14, 2020
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Job Corps:
DOL Should Provide Greater Transparency in Communicating Its Rationale for Closure DecisionsGAO-20-240R: Published: Apr 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 14, 2020.
Feb 14, 2020
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National Mediation Board:
Additional Actions Needed to Fully Implement Prior GAO Recommendations and Improve Agency Management and OversightGAO-20-236: Published: Feb 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 14, 2020.
Feb 10, 2020
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National Weather Service:
Information on Contractor Selection and Work Performed for Its Operations and Workforce Analysis ProjectGAO-20-271R: Published: Jan 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 10, 2020.
Sep 9, 2019
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Job Corps:
Actions Needed to Improve Planning for Center Operation ContractsGAO-19-326: Published: Aug 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Sep 9, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Department of LaborGAO-19-395SP: Published: Apr 3, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
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