Between the Lines Blog
Storage Tank Enforcement: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Proposed Order/Assessment Addressing Ashland Facility
December 9, 2025
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (“TDEC”) issued a November 5th Order and Assessment (“Order”) to Brockton USA, LLC (“BU”) addressing alleged violations of the Tennessee Underground Storage Tank (“UST”) regulations. See Case No. UST25-0111. The Order provides that BU is a…
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…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Asbestos/Common Law Action: Federal Appellate Court Addresses Collateral Estoppel Issue
December 24, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (“Second Circuit”) addressed in a December 22nd Opinion issues arising out of asbestos related tort claims. See LA'SHAUN CLARK v. NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY, ET AL., 2025 WL 3702955. The question considered was whether the tort claims…
Stormwater Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Jackson, Nebraska Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Enter into Consent Agreement
December 24, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and L.P. Gill, Inc. (“LP”) entered into a November 17th Consent Agreement and Final Order (“CAFO”) addressing alleged violations of Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) Permit regulations. See Docket No…
Beef Production Facility/Citizen Suit Action: Center for Biological Diversity Judicial Action Seeking to Compel Title V Decision by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
December 24, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) filed a Complaint in the District Court, Morgan County, Colorado against the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (“Colorado”) in regard to a beef processing facility. CBD’s lawsuit seeks to compel Colorado to grant or deny the Clean Air…
Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act of 2025: Congressional Legislation Introduced to Establish Voluntary Federal Standards for Environmental Packaging Claims
December 23, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States House of Representatives Congressman Randy Weber (Texas) introduced legislation titled: The Packaging and Claims Knowledge Act of 2025 (“PACK Act”). The PACK Act proposes to establish voluntary federal standards for environmental claims on packaging. The rationale put forth for…
Transportation/Hazardous Materials: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Interpretive Letter Addressing Agricultural Fertilizer
December 23, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) sent a December 11th Interpretive Letter to DG Advisor addressing the application of the federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (“HMR”) to what is described as a new agricultural fertilizer compound. PHMSA was responding to an…