Between the Lines Blog
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…
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…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Title V/Clean Air Act: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clarifies Scope of "Applicable Requirements"
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a September 25th Federal Register notice containing a final rule that is described as updating the Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit regulations. See 91 Fed. Reg. 61026. EPA states that the final rule codifies the agency’s: ……
Climate Resilient Engineering Design Guidance for the Water Sector: Water Utility Climate Alliance Issues 2026 Design Guide
The Water Utility Climate Alliance (“WUCA”) issued a guidance document titled: Climate Resilient Engineering Design Guidance for the Water Sector: 2026 Design Guide (“Design Guide”). The purpose of the Design Guide is to equip the water industry with what are described as “actionable strategies”…
Air Enforcement: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality and Monticello Saw Mill Enter into Consent Administrative Order
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) and INTERFOR U.S. INC. (“IUI”) entered into a June 24th Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”) addressing alleged violations of an Air Permit. See Case #: CAO-25-0070. The CAO provides that IUI owns and…
Legacy Uses of Asbestos for Toxic Substances Control Act Section 6(a)/Risk Management for Asbestos Part II: Utility Solid Waste Activities Group Response to U.S. EPA Request for Information
The Utility Solid Waste Activities Group (“USWAG”) submitted September 23rd comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) in response to the agency’s Request for Information on Legacy Uses of Asbestos for Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”) Section 6(a) Risk Management for…
Methane Gas Plant/Clean Air Act Citizen Suit: Southern Environmental Law Center and Other Organizations File Federal Action Addressing Tennessee Valley Authority Facility
The Southern Environmental Law Center and two other organizations filed a September 25th Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief (“Complaint”) against the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee alleging past and ongoing…