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
Drinking Water Systems/Lead and Copper Rule: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Issues Guidance Addressing Pipe Replacement
September 2, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) released guidance on August 21st that it described as advancing: … the agency’s commitment to clear and plain language communication while sharing information, definitions, and useful examples to help water systems comply with lead pipe replacement…
Arkansas Environmental Personnel Moves: Lance Jones, P.E. (Former Director of Engineering/Arkansas Department of Health) Joins Hawkins-Weir Engineers
September 2, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Arkansas Department of Health publication Arkansas Drinking Water Update announced that Lance Jones, P.E., BCEE, Director of Engineering, retired from the Arkansas Department of Health (“ADH”) on May 1st after 33 years of service with the Public Health Engineering Branch. Mr. Jones recently…
Air Enforcement: New Mexico Environment Department Notice of Violation Addressing Rio Arriba Compressor Station
September 2, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The New Mexico Environment Department (“NMED”) issued an August 10th Notice of Violation (“NOV”) to Harvest Four Corners, LLC (“HFC”) for alleged violations of an air permit and the New Mexico/federal regulations. See EPCEB Air Case No. HFC-1002-2201. The NOV addresses the El Cedro Compressor…
PM2.5/Clean Air Act: National Association of Manufacturers and other Industrial Groups File U.S. Supreme Court Petition for a Writ of Certiorari
September 1, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The National Association of Manufacturers and 8 other industrial organizations filed a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari (“Petition”) before the United States Supreme Court (“Court”) challenging a 2024 United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) rule revisions the Clean Air Act National…
Lithium Batteries: Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Issue 2026 Position Paper
September 1, 2026
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (“ASTSWMO”) issued a document titled: ASTSWMO 2026 Lithium Battery Position Paper (“Position Paper”). ASTSWMO created a Lithium Battery Workgroup (“Workgroup”) because of the organization’s concerns regarding various…