Between the Lines Blog
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…
2025 Arkansas Insurance Legislation Summary: Life
This is the fourth and final article in a series of summaries of Insurance legislation from the 95th Arkansas General Assembly. The 95th Arkansas General Assembly convened on January 13, 2025, and entered into an extended recess on April 16, 2025. The resolution authorizing the extended recess…
State Air Trends & Successes: Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies Issues 2025 Report
May 28, 2025
The Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies ("AAPCA") issued the 2025 edition of its annual report titled: State Air Trends & Successes ("Report"). AAPCA describes itself as a: ...National Small Land, non-profit consensus-driven organization focused on assisting state and local air…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Alabama Regional Haze SIP Plan for the Second Planning Period: Southern Environmental Law Center and Other Environmental Organizations Submit Comments
November 12, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
Six environmental organizations submitted November 7th comments to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (“ADEM”) on the State’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (“SIP”) for the Second Planning Period. The organizations include: Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks…
Interpretation of the General Duty Clause/Limitation for Inherently Risky Professional Activities: 16 State Attorney Generals and/or Labor Departments Submit Comments to Occupational Safety and Health Administration
November 12, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor & Industry and 16 other state Attorney Generals and/or labor departments collectively submitted November 1st comments to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) and the United States Department of Labor addressing: …
Riparian Restoration Workshop: NEW DATE - November 18th
November 12, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Beaver Watershed Alliance announced its rescheduling of an upcoming Riparian Restoration Workshop (“Workshop”) that will now be held on November 18th. The Workshop will be held at the Goshen Community Center in Goshen, Arkansas from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The program is free. Identified as key…
NESHAP/Clean Air Act: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposes Hazardous Waste Combustor Residual Risk/Technology Review
November 11, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a November 10th Federal Register notice promulgating a proposed rule addressing Clean Air Act National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAP”) for Hazardous Waste Combustors (“HWC”). See 90 Fed. Reg. 50814. The…
Environmental Criminal Enforcement: Pennsylvania Attorney General Announces Charges Against Natural gas Company for Alleged Violations
November 11, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced in an October 31st news release charges against Seneca Resources, LLC (“Seneca”). The news release states that the charges involve multiple violations of Pennsylvania’s environmental protection laws in several counties. Seneca is stated to be…