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
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…
Oil Spill Enforcement: Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Fenton Metal Fabrication Facility Enter into Abatement Order on Consent
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) and Production Castings, Inc. (“PC”) entered into a June 29th Abatement Order on Consent (“AOC”) addressing alleged violations to the Missouri Clean Water Law (“MCWL”). See Order No. 2026-WPCB-2016. The AOC describes PC as the owner or operator…
Waters of the United States/Clean Water Act: Federal Court (Mississippi) Addresses U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Request for Stay of Challenge to Approved Jurisdictional Determination
A United States District Court (S.D., Miss.) addressed in a July 31st Order the United States Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) requesting a stay pending publication of a final rule revising the definition of “waters of the United States (“WOTUS”). See Ward Gulfport Properties, L.P., et al., v…
National Association of Clean Water Agencies Announces 2025 Peak Performance Awards (ADDITION): Pine Bluff, Arkansas Wastewater Utility Also Named As Honoree
A blog post on August 3rd referenced the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (“NACWA”) as announcing 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…