Between the Lines Blog
Storage Tank Enforcement: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Proposed Order/Assessment Addressing Ashland Facility
December 9, 2025
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (“TDEC”) issued a November 5th Order and Assessment (“Order”) to Brockton USA, LLC (“BU”) addressing alleged violations of the Tennessee Underground Storage Tank (“UST”) regulations. See Case No. UST25-0111. The Order provides that BU is a…
Federal Government Poised to Amend Definition of Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance … (Again)
On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury (collectively “the Departments”) released a statement that they intend to undertake notice-and-comment rulemaking to reconsider the 2024 amendments to the federal regulatory definition of short-term…
The Future of FOIA is Here: New Requirements under Acts 505 and 922 of 2025
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has long been a cornerstone of transparency, ensuring that the public has access to government records and meetings. Acts 505 and 922 of 2025, which took effect on August 5, 2025, significantly amend FOIA to modernize public meeting rules, clarify…
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Summer 2025 Meeting Summary
The Mitchell Williams Insurance Regulatory team of lawyers recently attended the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Summer 2025 National Meeting which was held in Minneapolis, MN. We have prepared a summary of the open sessions conducted over the course of the meeting…
What Agricultural Landowners Need to Know Now About Leases to Minimize Future Risk
June 20, 2025
by John P. Talbot
According to the USDA – Economic Research Service, there are approximately 911 million acres of farmland in the lower 48 states, with roughly 60% of this farmland owner-operated and 40% of it leased. For tillable cropland acres specifically, the percentage of rented ground is higher, approximately…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
U.S. Department of Agriculture Regenerative Pilot Program: Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Establishment
December 29, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (“NRCS”) announced he Regenerative Pilot Program (“RPP”). NRCS states that the RPP will provide $700 million to help American farmers: … adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost…
CO2/Hazardous Materials Hazardous Materials Business Plan Law Enforcement: Riverside County and 37 other District Attorneys and Asian Restaurant Chain Enter into Stipulated Judgment
December 29, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
A news release by the Office of the District Attorney of Riverside County states how it and 37 other California District Attorneys entered into a Stipulated Judgment with Panda Express Restaurant Group, Inc. (“PE”) alleging violations of the California Hazardous Materials Business Plan laws. See…
Air Enforcement: Alabama Department of Environmental Management and Munford Real Property Owner Enter into Proposed Administrative Order
December 29, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (“ADEM”) and Holmes II Excavation, Inc. (“Holmes”) entered into a November 5th Proposed Administrative Order (“PAO”) addressing alleged violations of the Alabama air regulations. See PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO: 25-XXX-AP. The PAO provides…
Asbestos/Common Law Action: Federal Appellate Court Addresses Collateral Estoppel Issue
December 24, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (“Second Circuit”) addressed in a December 22nd Opinion issues arising out of asbestos related tort claims. See LA'SHAUN CLARK v. NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY, ET AL., 2025 WL 3702955. The question considered was whether the tort claims…
Stormwater Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Jackson, Nebraska Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Enter into Consent Agreement
December 24, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and L.P. Gill, Inc. (“LP”) entered into a November 17th Consent Agreement and Final Order (“CAFO”) addressing alleged violations of Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) Permit regulations. See Docket No…