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
Highly Erodible Land/Wetland Conservation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Issues Interim Rule
The United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) published in the July 29th Federal Register an interim rule with request for comments (“Interim Rule”) amending the regulations implementing the Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 (“FSA”)…
National Association of Clean Water Agencies Announces 2025 Peak Performance Awards: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority & North Little Rock Wastewater Utility Announced as Honorees
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (“NACWA”) has announced its 2025 Peak Performance Award Honorees. The Peak Performance Awards are described as identifying facilities that have: … demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public health and the environment through…
Air Enforcement: Alabama Department of Environmental Management and Crossville Pellet Mill Enter into Consent Order
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (“ADEM”) and CM Biomass (“CMB”) entered into a Consent Order (“CO”) addressing an alleged violation of an air permit. See CONSENT ORDER NO: 26-XXX-CAP. The CO provides that CMB operates a pellet mill in Crossville, Alabama. The facility is stated…
Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons/Excluding Road and Intermodal Container Transport: Truck Renting and Leasing Associations Comments on USEPA Proposed Rule
The Truck Renting and Leasing Association (“TRALA”) submitted July 10th comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addressing the following proposed rule: Phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons, excluding road and intermodal container transport refrigeration units from the…
Stormwater Enforcement: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Proposed Director's Order/Assessment Addressing Putnam County Facility
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (“TDEC”) issued a July 2nd Director’s Order and Assessment (“Order”) to Hub Circle, LLC (“Hub”) addressing alleged violations of a General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) Permit for Discharges of Storm water…