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
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…
Consumer Confidence Reports/Safe Drinking Water Act: U.S. EPA Public Notices Tentative Approval of Arkansas Public Water System Supervision Revision
September 30, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a September 23rd Federal Register notice stating it had given notice of tentative approval (“Notice”) of the State of Arkansas’ revision of its approved Public Water System Supervision (“PWSS”) program. See 91 Fed. Reg. 60358. Arkansas is noted…
Gasoline Distribution Facilities/Standards of Performance for Bulk Gasoline Terminals: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Reconsideration of NESHAP
September 29, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published in the September 28th Federal Register a proposed rule/reconsideration of a final rule (collectively, “Proposal”) that is reconsidering various provisions of the May 8, 2024, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants…
Arkansas Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund/2026 Guidelines for Reimbursement of Corrective Action Costs: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality Announces Updated Document
September 29, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) issued an updated document to implement the Arkansas Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”) titled: ARKANSAS PETROLEUM STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND: 2026 GUIDELINES FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF CORRECTIVE…