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
Streamlined, Clear, Expeditious Permitting/Governor Executive Order: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment Submitted Plan
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (“E&E”) previously submitted its Improvement Plan as required by Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders’ Executive Order 26-04 (“EO”). The Governor had signed on February 16th the EO styled: EXECUTIVE ORDER TO MAKE ARKANSAS THE BEST STATE IN AMERICA TO DO…
St. Charles Parish Bulk Liquids Storge Facility/Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality: Refined Community Empowerment Files Petition for Judicial Review Challenging Air Permit Authorizing Expansion
Refined Community Empowerment (“RCE”) filed a September 28th Petition for Judicial Review (“Petition”) in the 19th Judicial District Court challenging the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s (“LDEQ”) decision granting a Part 70 Operating Title V Air Permit Renewal and Modification…
Hazardous Waste Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Warren, Ohio Battery Recycling Facility Enter into Consent Agreement
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Evergreen Battery Recycling LLC (“Evergreen”) entered into a February 11th Consent Agreement and Final Order (“CAFO”) addressing alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) regulations. See Docket No…
EPA SPCC Inspection Sweep: Ray Wieda, P.E., (Olsson) Arkansas Environmental Federation Convention Presentation
Ray Wieda, P.E., of Olsson, undertook a presentation on October 8th at the Arkansas Environmental Federation Convention titled: EPA SPCC Inspection Sweep (“Presentation”). Mr. Wieda is a Senior Engineer/Environmental at Olsson in their Little Rock, Arkansas office. The Presentation dealt in part…
Solid Waste Enforcement: Alabama Department of Environmental Management Proposed Administrative Order Addressing Somerville Scrap Metal Business
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (“ADEM”) is proposing to issue an Order to CDM Scrap Metals LLC (“CDM”) addressing an alleged unauthorized dump (“UAD”). See Order No. XX-XXX-SW. The Order provides that CDM operates a business on real property located in Somerville, Alabama. On…