Between the Lines Blog
When Selling Annuities Becomes Investment Advice: A Guide for Insurance Providers
For insurance companies and agents, the distinction between selling annuities and providing investment advice can blur unexpectedly. When annuity sales involve discussions about a client's securities portfolio or recommendations to liquidate investments to fund purchases, agents may inadvertently…
ANRC Takes Next Step Toward Implementing Arkansas's New Water and Sewer Grant Program
The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission voted unanimously on April 2, 2026, to recommend new finance rules that will govern how millions of dollars in water and sewer infrastructure funding are distributed, and the implications for utilities, municipalities, and water authorities across the state…
Final Rulemaking Package Submitted for California Intervenor and AHB Fairness and Accountability Regulations
April 21, 2026
by Jerry Zimmerman
On April 20, 2026, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara submitted the final rulemaking package for the Intervenor and Administrative Hearing Bureau (AHB) Fairness and Accountability regulations (REG-2025-00006) to the Office of Administrative Law for final review. These regulations…
Trademark Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself
Trademark scams are on the rise, leading to confusion amongst trademark owners. In fact, in August 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) took the extraordinary step of sanctioning a foreign filing firm and terminating over 52,000 trademark applications and registrations…
Understanding Patient Safety Organizations: A Practical Guide
If you work in the healthcare industry, you have likely heard about Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs) and the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSQIA). This article breaks down what these frameworks mean and how they can protect sensitive safety information from disclosure in…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
State of Practice/Hospital, Medical, & Infectious Waste Incineration: Environmental Research & Education Foundation Report
The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (“EREF”) issued an April 2026 report titled: STATE OF PRACTICE: HOSPITAL, MEDICAL & INFECTIOUS WASTE INCINERATION (“Report”). EREF describes the organization’s mission as to: … advance scientific research and create educational pathways that…
Spectaclecase Mussel/Endangered Species Act: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Designates Critical Habitat (Including the Ouachita River)
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“Service”) issued a final rule designating critical habitat for the following four mussels that have been listed as endangered or threatened: Rayed bean Sheepnose Snuffbox Spectaclecase See 91 Fed. Reg. 22590. The critical habitat designation for the…
Air Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Kansas City, Kansas Wool Fiberglass Manufacturing Facility Enter Into Consent Agreement
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and CertainTeed, LLC (“CT”) entered into a March 16th Consent Agreement (“CA”) addressing alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. See Docket No. CAA-07-2025-0030. The CA provides that CT operates a wool fiberglass manufacturing facility in…
Citizen Suit Action/Clean Water Act: California Sport Fishing Protection Alliance Files Judicial Action Addressing Aromas Quarry
The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and Environment California, Inc. (collectively, “Alliance”) filed an April 15th Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Civil Penalties (“Complaint”) against Granite Rock Company (“GRC”) in the United States District court for the Northern…
Arkansas Advisory Committee on Petroleum Storage Tanks: April 29th Meeting
As noted in a previous blog post, Arkansas operates a petroleum storage tank trust fund that provides reimbursement for eligible storage tanks that suffer corrective action requirements and third-party damage claims due to a release of petroleum. The Advisory Committee on Petroleum Storage Tanks…