Between the Lines Blog
Letting Growth Fund Growth: Why Issue 3 Matters for Arkansas
October 28, 2026
by Robbi Riggs Watson
In 2024, I joined a group of Arkansas attorneys, economic development professionals, and community leaders who had one goal in mind: creating an economic development proposal that would help Arkansas communities compete for jobs, investment, and growth. Over the next year, I and other Mitchell…
The LEARNSing Curve: Navigating Arkansas Education Law
A Short Survey of The LEARNS Act Three years later, the Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking, and Safety Act (“LEARNS Act” or the “Act”) continues to reshape Arkansas education law. This article surveys the Act’s major provisions: (1) the Education Freedom Account program…
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…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants/Plywood and Composite Wood Products Rule: Sierra Club Files D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Challenge
Sierra Club filed on October 23rd a petition before the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (see Case No. 26-1230 ) challenging the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) final rule entitled: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Plywood and…
Perspectives on How Louisiana Can Lead in a New Energy Era: Powering Louisiana Forum White Paper
The Powering Louisiana Forum (“PLF”) has distributed a White Paper titled: Perspectives on How Louisiana Can Lead in a New Energy Era (“White Paper”). PLF is described as a conference which: … brought together industry, government, and public-sector stakeholders to chart a shared strategy for…
Air Enforcement: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality and Little Rock Decking/Railing Products Manufacturing Facility Enter into Consent Administrative Order
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) and Trex Company, Inc. (“TCI”) entered into an October 13th Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”) addressing alleged violations of an Air Permit. See Case #: CAO-25-0152. The CAO provides that TCI operates…
2026 Triennial Review/Arkansas Water Quality Standards: October 21st Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality Stakeholder Materials
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) held an October 21st stakeholder meeting addressing its 2026 Triennial Review of Arkansas’ Water Quality Standards (“WQS”): Pollution Control and Ecology Commission 8 CAR Part 21 (Rule 2). The review is…
Environmental Criminal Enforcement/State Wetland Regulations: Michigan Attorney General Announces Arraignment of Individual for Alleged Violation
The Michigan Attorney General issued an October 20th news release stating that Vincent Tomczak, of Leland Township, Michigan, was arraigned in the 86th District Court on one count of Filling, Draining, or Dredging a Wetland without a Permit. The individual is alleged to have dredged and filled…