appeals court

The order came four days after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a challenge to the federal rule from other parts of the country.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Jan. 7 in cases from other parts of the country about the legality of the requirement, but it is not clear when justices will rule.

Florida is one of numerous states that have challenged the contractor requirement, with a federal judge in Georgia this month issuing a nationwide injunction against the requirement.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals approved a joint motion from the parties to dismiss the case. The motion and the dismissal did not explain the reasons.

The ruling reverses a lower-court decision that paused the requirement for businesses with 100 or more employees. A motion for an emergency stay has already been filed with the Supreme Court.

A 28-page petition asks the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to issue an injunction that at least would put the rule on hold while an underlying appeal is decided.

The panel ruled a federal judge in Louisiana went too far in issuing a nationwide stay. As a result, the injunction continues to apply to 14 states involved in the case, but not other states such as Florida.

Sunday’s decision does not mean the Biden administration can move forward with the requirement because a Louisiana federal judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction.

Florida's attorney general's office wants an appellate court to take up its challenge to the federal mandate because a nationwide injuction issued by a Louisiana judge will likely be appealed.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a notice that arguments will be held the week of Feb. 7 in Miami.