Between the Lines Blog
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…
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…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
2023 Triennial Review/ Arkansas Water Quality Standards U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Letter Addressing Revisions to 8 CAR § 21 (Rule 2)
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality (“ ADEQ”) announced that the Region 6 Office of United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has completed its review of the 2023 Triennial Review 8 CAR pt. 21 (Rule 2). EPA notified ADEQ of its completed…
Biosolids/Clean Water Act: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility Appeal Dismissal of Citizen Suit Action Alleging EPA Failure to Address PFAS
The United States District for the District of Columbia (“Court”) addressed in a September 29th Memorandum Opinion and Order (“Memorandum”) an action against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), and intervenor-defendant National Association of Clean Water Agencies (“NACWA”)…
CERCLA/Federal Facilities: Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials Issue Fact Sheet
The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (“ASTSWMO”) issued an October 2025 document titled: Risk Mitigation Practices Fact Sheet (“Fact Sheet”). ASTSWMO states that the purpose of the Fact Sheet is to: Help regulators identify when RMP should be considered to: …
Clean Water/Drinking Water State Revolving Funds: Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Approves Projects Totaling $153 Million
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Commission approved $153 million for drinking water and wastewater related projects. 52 entities will receive the funds. Funding for these projects is derived from the federal Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. Drinking…
PM2.5/Clean Air Act: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Motion for Vacatur of Revised NAAQS
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) filed a Motion for Vacatur (“Motion”) in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in regard to pending challenges to the PM2.5 Clean Air Act National Ambient Air Quality Standard (“NAAQS”). The Commonwealth of Kentucky and a…