Between the Lines Blog
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…
2025 Arkansas Insurance Legislation Summary: Life
This is the fourth and final article in a series of summaries of Insurance legislation from the 95th Arkansas General Assembly. The 95th Arkansas General Assembly convened on January 13, 2025, and entered into an extended recess on April 16, 2025. The resolution authorizing the extended recess…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Corrosion Control: American Water Works Association Issues Implementation Framework
The American Water Works Association (“AWWA”) issued a document titled: Corrosion Control Implementation Framework (“Framework”). The stated intent for issuing the Framework was to provide guidance to water systems seeking to implement corrosion control treatment (“CCT”): Either for compliance…
Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Meeting - December 5th Meeting/Agenda Announced
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment announced the agenda for the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission (“Commission”) meeting on December 5th. The Commission is the environmental policy-making body for Arkansas. The Commission, with certain exceptions, meets on a monthly…
Natural Resources Damages/Spill Compensation and Control Act Enforcement: New Jersey and Seven Companies Enter Into Consent Judgment
The New Jersey Attorney General and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in the Superior Court of New Jersey entered into a Consent Judgment (“CJ”) with seven defendants pursuant to the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act and Water Pollution Control Act. See Docket No…
Saline Township Data Center/Contested Case Proceeding Request: Natural Resources Defense Council Submits Petition to Intervene Before the Michigan Public Service Commission Regarding Proposed Primary Supply Agreement
November 26, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Natural Resources Defense Council and three other organizations filed a November 19th submission before the Michigan Public Service Commission (“Commission”) styled: MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL, NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, SIERRA CLUB, AND CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD OF MICHIGAN’S…
Endangered Species Act/Proposed Data Center: Center for Biological Diversity Petitions U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to List Birmingham Darter
November 26, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“Service”) pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) a Petition to protect the Birmingham darter (“BD”) as a threatened or endangered species. Additional petitioners and…