Between the Lines Blog
The LEARNSing Curve: Navigating Arkansas Education Law
A Short Survey of The LEARNS Act Three years later, the Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking, and Safety Act (“LEARNS Act” or the “Act”) continues to reshape Arkansas education law. This article surveys the Act’s major provisions: (1) the Education Freedom Account program…
NAIC Reciprocal Exchanges (E) Working Group Advances Proposed Amendments to Model 440 and Model 450
On July 22, 2026, the NAIC Reciprocal Exchanges (E) Working Group met virtually to discuss proposed amendments to the Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act (Model #440) and the Insurance Holding Company System Model Regulation (Model #450). Formed in November 2025 under the Financial…
The NAIC Data Breach: A Turning Point for Data Collection and Privacy in the Insurance Industry
On June 17, 2026, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) publicly disclosed that it had identified unauthorized access to its PeopleSoft systems. The breach—attributed to the threat actor group ShinyHunters and part of a broader campaign exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in…
Essential Employment Documents and Procedures for Growing Businesses
As your business grows and you begin hiring employees, the excitement of expansion can sometimes overshadow the critical need for proper employment documentation and procedures. Yet the foundation you lay during this stage of growth can make the difference between a thriving workplace and costly…
The Non-Compete Playbook: Everything Arkansas Employers Should Have in their Arsenal
A crucial employee leaves for a competitor. A promising candidate shows up carrying a non-compete from their former employer. Either way, the questions hit quickly: What can we do? What should we avoid? And what paperwork should we have in place to handle this sort of thing? What employers should…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Legacy Uses of Asbestos for Toxic Substances Control Act Section 6(a)/Risk Management for Asbestos Part II: Utility Solid Waste Activities Group Response to U.S. EPA Request for Information
The Utility Solid Waste Activities Group (“USWAG”) submitted September 23rd comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) in response to the agency’s Request for Information on Legacy Uses of Asbestos for Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”) Section 6(a) Risk Management for…
Methane Gas Plant/Clean Air Act Citizen Suit: Southern Environmental Law Center and Other Organizations File Federal Action Addressing Tennessee Valley Authority Facility
The Southern Environmental Law Center and two other organizations filed a September 25th Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief (“Complaint”) against the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee alleging past and ongoing…
Air Enforcement: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality and Hot Springs Coating/Aircraft Structural Parts Facility Enter into Consent Administrative Order
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) and AAR Component Services - Hot Springs, LLC (“AAR”) entered into an August 14th Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”) addressing alleged violations of an Air Permit. See Case #: CAO-25-0029. The CAO…
Citizen Suit Action/Clean Water Act: Federal Appellate Court Addresses Claim Preclusion Issue
September 30, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (“9th Circuit”) addressed in a September 28th Opinion an issue arising out of a Clean Water Act citizen suit action. See State of Washington, et al., v. Crown Resources Corporation, et al., No. 25-2397. The question addressed was whether a…
Silica/OSHA Enforcement: Pennsylvania Brick Manufacturer Cited for Alleged Violations
September 30, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued an August 26th news release stating it had cited General Shale Brick Inc., d/b/a Watsontown Brick Company (“GSB”), for three willful and four serious violations for allegedly knowingly exposing its workers to unsafe…