Bureau of Labor Education, University of Maine

06/05/2026

What's in your 401K or 403b? Might be time to start keeping tabs on your investments.

The US Department of Labor’s proposed rule on Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives could influence how fiduciaries—and courts—evaluate 401(k) investment options.

06/03/2026

Student athletes’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights still in limbo.

Even with the White House’s recent Executive Order 14400, Congress’ lack of support for the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act or other legislation leave the world of college sports in regulatory uncertainty.

06/03/2026

International Court of Justice Recognizes the Right to Strike

On May 21 the ICJ issued an advisory opinion in which it stated that International Labour Organization Convention 87, covering freedom of association in the workplace, includes the right to strike.

"...Is of the opinion that the right to strike of workers and their organizations is protected under the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87)." P. 40 (3).

06/03/2026

Korean Samsung workers win big forcing the company to share 10.5% of its profits.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/27/samsung-memory-chip-staff-bonuses-ai-profit-sharing-deal

Following suit Taiwan Semiconductor workers want the same deal.

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20260525PD236.html

05/29/2026

Protect your employees and co-workers.

Remember that it is permissible for a federal agent to lie in order to gain evidence or entry into a home or business. The same agents may not lie under oath in court. Pay attention to the details. You are not required to allow agents to enter private premises without proper authority and a judicial warrant, i.e., one signed by a judge and not by another agent or an officer of the agency they work for.

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/05/29/mainefocus/mainefocus-police-courts/judge-admonishes-ice-maine-joam40zk0w/ One article per day/paywall.

The ruling comes amid a wave of judicial rebukes in response to the agency’s hard-charging tactics under President Donald Trump.

05/29/2026

Private credit corporations are increasingly connected to the more regulated banking system but are mostly unregulated and exist wholly for the benefit of their private owners. As federal agencies and the current administration push for greater integration and less oversight risks increase.

Private credit has expanded rapidly to an estimated $1.5–2 trillion in assets, supporting financing for mid-sized companies but creating potential financial stability risks…

05/28/2026

Executive order targets migrant workers' money transfers and basic banking services.

"On May 19, Trump signed the "Restoring Integrity to America's Financial System" executive order, directing Treasury, the federal banking regulators, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to tighten BSA and credit‑risk standards in ways that specifically target financial activity involving non-work‑authorized and removable noncitizens and their employers. The order declares it U.S. policy to treat low‑dollar cross‑border transfers and basic financial services as potential vehicles for terrorism, narcotics and human trafficking, and other illicit finance absent robust know‑your‑customer controls..."

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:  Section 1.

05/28/2026

Trump administration pushes governmentwide NDA for federal employees

"The Office of Personnel Management on Tuesday released plans to create a standardized NDA for all federal employees, in an attempt to stop government documents from being leaked to the press or otherwise made public."

Violations of the NDA could result in disciplinary action, including terminations or civil and criminal penalties for federal employees, OPM said.

05/28/2026

Trump Supports the CFTC on prediction markets oversight

"President Donald Trump endorsed the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the primary regulator for prediction markets, supporting the agency amid escalating legal disputes with several states regarding oversight of the fast-growing sector. The stance reinforces the administration's pro-industry approach as companies, including Kalshi and Polymarket, face challenges from state regulators with regard to laws on gambling and derivatives."

Interested parties support loosening and eliminating government oversight over a contentious industry where the odds of profiting from transactions are astronomically low. What could go wrong?

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5896316-trump-cftc-prediction-markets/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/26/trump-prediction-markets-kalshi-polymarket

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-26/trump-backs-cftc-as-prediction-market-regulator-amid-state-fight (Pay wall)

President Donald Trump backed the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the sole regulator of prediction markets, siding with the agency amid a growing legal fight with states over the multibillion-dollar industry.

05/28/2026

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued over attempt to loosen bias in lending rules that allow the use of neutral criteria, like neighborhoods and zip codes, to limit credit opportunities for minorities. Will redlining come back?

Advocates say the new proposed regulations would increase credit discrimination, including for practices like “redlining,” where lenders refuse to lend in minority neighborhoods and otherwise discourage those communities from seeking credit.