Last week was quiet, with no new executive orders, legislation, or Supreme Court opinions. I do have two policy updates to share, as Congress heads into recess soon and the Supreme Court prepares to start its new term in October. Must be nice to have those breaks… onto the policy:

Open Carry in FL Now Your Right!!

Florida’s open-carry laws came under sharp focus after the First District Court of Appeal ruled on September 10, 2025, that the state’s ban on openly carrying firearms is unconstitutional. The decision, which cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent, was welcomed by gun-rights advocates and supported by Governor Ron DeSantis’ push to expand Second Amendment protections. Following the ruling, Attorney General James Uthmeier directed that the ban no longer be enforced, effectively making open carry lawful in Florida. 

Court Ruling Impact

The appeals court’s unanimous decision overturned a criminal conviction for open carry, citing its incompatibility with constitutional protections. This ruling empowers Floridians to potentially carry firearms openly, though restrictions still apply in sensitive areas like courtrooms, polling places, and schools. DeSantis and supporters, including Attorney General James Uthmeier, hailed the decision as a triumph for individual liberties. A 15-day appeal window remains open, and restrictions on carrying firearms in sensitive locations such as schools, government buildings, and private property still apply.

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H1-B Visas

On September 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee per H-1B visa worker, a dramatic overhaul of the program aimed at curbing its abuse and prioritizing American jobs. Effective September 21, 2025, this fee applies to all new petitions and renewals, impacting employers across sectors like technology, universities, and hospitals, with no exemptions for company size or nonprofit status. The policy seeks to deter companies from using H-1B visas to hire lower-cost foreign workers, which the administration claims displaces American talent and suppresses wages.

Program Abuse Concerns

The Trump administration justifies the fee by citing systemic exploitation of the H-1B program, particularly by IT firms hiring lower-skilled foreign workers at wages as low as $60,000, undercutting American tech professionals who earn over $100,000. The proclamation highlights rising unemployment among U.S. computer science graduates and mass layoffs linked to H-1B hiring, framing the fee as a tool to ensure only highly skilled, high-paid workers are brought in. It also directs the Department of Labor to revise prevailing wage levels to align with the policy’s goal of prioritizing American workers.

Impact on Employers

The $100,000 fee, added to existing costs of $1,700-$4,500 per visa, significantly increases expenses for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which collectively secured over 22,000 H-1B visas in 2025. This could lead to hiring freezes or offshoring, as the fee is charged annually per worker, potentially costing firms millions. The policy’s immediate effect and lack of exemptions have prompted tech giants to issue travel advisories for H-1B workers, while employers are urged to budget carefully and monitor USCIS guidance.Impact on EmployersThe $100,000 fee, added to existing costs of $1,700-$4,500 per visa, significantly increases expenses for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which collectively secured over 22,000 H-1B visas in 2025. This could lead to hiring freezes or offshoring, as the fee is charged annually per worker, potentially costing firms millions. The policy’s immediate effect and lack of exemptions have prompted tech giants to issue travel advisories for H-1B workers, while employers are urged to budget carefully and monitor USCIS guidance.

Executive Orders

No new Executive Orders by the President.

US Congress

No new laws passed by congress.

SCOTUS

No new opinions of the Court.