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Corporate Transparency Act Ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court

Client Alert

Over the past several weeks, the federal judiciary has provided numerous rulings on the enforceability of the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which took effect on January 1, 2024. For a more detailed overview on the CTA, click here.

Most recently, on December 26, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reinstated a previous injunction barring enforcement of the CTA’s filing requirement for entities throughout the country.

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the government’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s December 26 decision, lifting the nationwide injunction. While many interpreted this ruling to reinstate the CTA’s reporting requirement, recent guidance from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCen”) makes clear that enforcement of the CTA’s filing requirement is still barred nationwide.

While the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the injunction on appeal before the Fifth Circuit, a separate nationwide injunction issued by a different federal judge on January 7, 2025 (Smith v. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Case No. 6:24-cv-336-JDK) remains in effect. FinCen continues to accept voluntary reporting, but as of this publication, businesses are not required to comply with the CTA’s filing requirements.

For guidance on complying with these updated requirements, business owners should reach out to their BMD legal advisors or contact BMD Member Blake Gerney at brgerney@bmdllc.com.


Quiet Hours Texts and TCPA Claims: Consent Remains King as Courts Divide on Text Messages

Businesses face increasing TCPA lawsuits over off-hours marketing texts, but recent court decisions highlight strong defenses. Clear consumer consent and updated terms and conditions can defeat many claims, while a growing number of courts are finding that text messages are not “telephone calls” under the statute. Proactive compliance measures, including clickwrap agreements and forum-selection clauses, are critical to reducing risk.

New Ohio Reporting Requirements for Non-Residential Contractors

Ohio’s E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act, effective March 19, 2026, requires all nonresidential construction companies, subcontractors, and labor brokers to use E-Verify to confirm employee work eligibility on projects across the state. The law applies regardless of company size and carries financial penalties and potential restrictions on future state contracts for noncompliance. Some uncertainty remains around requirements for existing employees, making early compliance planning important.

DOT Non-Domiciled CDL Rule

A new rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will significantly narrow eligibility for non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) beginning March 16, 2026. The rule limits eligibility to holders of H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas and eliminates Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) as qualifying proof of work authorization. As a result, many lawfully present and work-authorized immigrants, including refugees, asylees, DACA recipients, and Temporary Protected Status holders, will no longer be able to obtain or renew a non-domiciled CDL. The change is expected to affect roughly 194,000 drivers nationwide and has prompted multiple legal challenges, including a pending emergency stay request before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule Now in Effect

FinCEN’s new Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule, effective March 1, 2026, requires certain real estate transfers to be reported to combat financial crimes. Transfers of residential property to entities or trusts without financing may require a Real Estate Report.

Department of Education Proposes Redefinition of “Professional Degree,” Excluding Nursing and Limiting Graduate Loan Borrowing

The U.S. Department of Education has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would redefine “professional degree” programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The proposal excludes nursing from the recognized list and would impose new borrowing limits for graduate students while eliminating the Grad PLUS program. Public comments are due by March 2, 2026.