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
Project Emissions Accounting/New Source Review: DC Circuit Court of Appeals Addresses Challenge to US EPA Rule
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“DC Circuit”) addressed in a July 28 Opinion an issue arising under the Clean Air Act New Source Review (“NSR”) Preconstruction Permitting Program. See Environmental Defense Fund, et al v EPA, et al, No. 18-1149. The DC…
Air Enforcement: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and St. Rose Tank Terminal Enter into Settlement Agreement
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) and International-Matex Tank Terminals LLC (“IM”) entered into a July 9th Settlement Agreement (“SA”) addressing alleged violations of the Louisiana air regulations. See AE-PP-24-00641. The SA provides that IM owns and/or operates a bulk…
Arkansas Department of Agriculture: August 4 Arkansas State Plant Board Bureau of Standards Committee Scheduled
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced that the next Arkansas State Plant Board Bureau of Standards Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be held via zoom. Agenda items for the meeting include: Call to Order – Robin Ralston, Chair Regular…
National Historic Preservation Act: Advisory Council and Historic Preservation Proposes Revised 106 Rules
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (“ACHP”) voted on July 24 in favor of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (“NPRM”) regarding revisions to the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (“NHPA”). An NHPA news release states in part: …ACHP Vice-Chairman…
Union County, Arkansas Property: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality and A. E. H., LLC Enter Into Elective Site Clean Up Agreement
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) and A.E.H., LLC (“AEH”) entered into an April 28 elective site clean up agreement (ESCA”). See Lis No. 26-007. The ESCA addresses the property in Union County, Arkansas (“Site”). The ESCA describes the…