Between the Lines Blog
When Selling Annuities Becomes Investment Advice: A Guide for Insurance Providers
For insurance companies and agents, the distinction between selling annuities and providing investment advice can blur unexpectedly. When annuity sales involve discussions about a client's securities portfolio or recommendations to liquidate investments to fund purchases, agents may inadvertently…
ANRC Takes Next Step Toward Implementing Arkansas's New Water and Sewer Grant Program
The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission voted unanimously on April 2, 2026, to recommend new finance rules that will govern how millions of dollars in water and sewer infrastructure funding are distributed, and the implications for utilities, municipalities, and water authorities across the state…
Final Rulemaking Package Submitted for California Intervenor and AHB Fairness and Accountability Regulations
April 21, 2026
by Jerry Zimmerman
On April 20, 2026, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara submitted the final rulemaking package for the Intervenor and Administrative Hearing Bureau (AHB) Fairness and Accountability regulations (REG-2025-00006) to the Office of Administrative Law for final review. These regulations…
Trademark Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself
Trademark scams are on the rise, leading to confusion amongst trademark owners. In fact, in August 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) took the extraordinary step of sanctioning a foreign filing firm and terminating over 52,000 trademark applications and registrations…
Understanding Patient Safety Organizations: A Practical Guide
If you work in the healthcare industry, you have likely heard about Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs) and the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSQIA). This article breaks down what these frameworks mean and how they can protect sensitive safety information from disclosure in…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
RCRA/Sovereign Immunity: Federal Appellate Court Addresses Injunctive Relief Claim Against California Agency Officials
The United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit (“Appellate Court”) addressed in an April 27th Opinion an issue arising out of a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) related lawsuit against two California agency officials. See FORWARD, INC. v. JEFF MACOMBER; ANNA M. LASSO, 2026 WL…
Section 401/Clean Water Act: National Wildlife Federation Comments Addressing U.S. EPA Proposed Certification Rule
The National Wildlife Federation (“NWF”) submitted February 17th comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) on the agency’s proposed rule addressing the certification process under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. See Updating the Water Quality Certification…
2026 Arkansas Recycling Coalition Annual Conference and Tradeshow: August 31 - September 2/Hot Springs, Arkansas
The Arkansas Recycling Coalition (“ARC”) will be holding its 2026 Annual Conference & Tradeshow (“Conference”) from August 31 through September 2, 2026. The Conference will be held at the Oaklawn Casino Hotel & Event Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This will be ARC’s 35th Annual Conference. A link…
Data Centers/Reliable Affordable Service: American Public Power Association Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee
The American Public Power Association (“APPA”) submitted an April 20th letter to the following Members of the United States House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee: The Honorable Brett Guthrie, Chairman, Energy & Commerce Committee. The Honorable Frank Pallone, Ranking Member…
Glyphosate/Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Environmental Working Group Judicial Petition for Writ of Mandamus Alleging Unreasonable Delay by EPA
The Environmental Working Group (“EWG”) filed a Petition for Writ of Mandamus (“Petition”) before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). The Petition alleges that EPA has unreasonably delayed agency…