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
Reducing Risk from PFOA AND PFOS in Biosolids: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility Comments on U.S. EPA Draft Guidance
September 4, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (“PEER”) submitted August 26th comments on a document the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published on June 29th titled: Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid…
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans/NPDES Permits: Illinois House Bill 4418 Requires Application to Plastic Pellets or Other Preproduction Plastic Materials Manufacturing Facilities
September 4, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Illinois Governor signed on August 7th House Bill 4418 (“HB4418”) which amends the Illinois Environmental Protection Act in regard to Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) permit requirements addressing stormwater. The Bill requires that the Illinois…
Arkansas Department of Agriculture/Arkansas State Plant Board: September 8th Meeting Scheduled
September 4, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Arkansas State Plant Board will meet on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, 1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR. Agenda items include: Regular Business Consider meeting minutes of June 9, 2026 Consider special called meeting minutes of…
Regional Haze/Arkansas: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Public Notices Approval of Arkansas' State Implementation Plan
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published in the August 27th Federal Register a final rule approving the Arkansas State Implementation Plan (“SIP”) revision for the 2022 Planning Period II regional haze requirements. See 91 Fed. Reg. 55268. Under the final rule, the…
Environmental Criminal Enforcement/Clean Water Act: Puerto Rico Meat Processing Facility Charged with Alleged Violations
September 3, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Attorney’s Office (Puerto Rico) stated in a news release that it has charged Ganaderos Borges Inc. (“GBI”) for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act. Four individuals were also charged. The alleged violations included: Four violations of the Clean Water Act. Conspiracy to…