Between the Lines Blog
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…
NAIC Discloses Unauthorized Access to PeopleSoft Systems
Cybersecurity Incident at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Overview On June 17, 2026, the NAIC publicly disclosed that it identified unauthorized access to its PeopleSoft systems on or about June 11, 2026. The NAIC activated its incident response procedures and is working…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Federal Site Assessment Process: Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials Focus Group Issues Paper
The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (“ASTSWMO”) issued a focus group paper on federal site assessments (“FSAs”). ASTSWMO’s Site Assessment Focus Group prepared the paper. ASTSWMO describes the organization as representing the 50 States, 5 Territories and the…
Section 404/Clean Water Act: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Vicksburg District) Public Notices Hot Springs County, Arkansas Road Construction
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Vicksburg District) (“Corps”) issued a July 23rd public notice (“Notice”) regarding a Section 404 Clean Water Act application by Entergy Services, LLC (“Entergy”). The application requests authorization for the placement of dredged and fill material into waters of…
Hazardous Waste Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Muscatine, Iowa Tank Car Company Enter into Expedited Settlement Agreement
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Union Tank Car Company & Proctor Limited (“Union”) entered into a June 8th Expedited Settlement Agreement (“ESA”) addressing alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) hazardous waste regulations. See…
Equivalent Test Methods/Clean Air Act: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Designates New Reference Method and Three New Equivalent Methods (PM2.5/PM10-2.5)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a July 15th Federal Register notice announcing that it has designated the following: One New Reference Method and Three New Equivalent Methods for measuring concentrations of PM2.5. See 91 Fed. Reg. 43372. EPA describes the methods…
Arkansas Environmental Personnel Moves: Michael Grappe' (Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality) Joins Government Solutions, LLC
Government Solutions, LLC (“GS”) announced that Michael Grappe’ has joined the Arkansas government relations firm as an Associate. GS notes that Mr. Grappe’ previously served with the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) for several years in…