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
Arkansas Environmental Personnel Moves: Mike Harrell - Ash Grove Cement Company Director of Alternative Fuels/Resource Recovery Retires
Mike Harrell of Ash Grove Cement Company (“Ash Grove”), a CRH company of Overland Park, Kansas, has retired. Mike has served for many years as Ash Grove’s Director of Alternative Fuels and Resource Recovery. Mike’s Arkansas connection is the fact that he has spent a significant amount of time…
Freedom of Information Act/Safe Drinking Water Act: Waterkeeper Alliance Submits FOIA Request to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Related to PFAS
Waterkeeper Alliance (“WA”) submitted an October 21st letter to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) styled: Freedom of Information Act Request for Records Related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for per- and…
Solid Waste Enforcement/Sludge: New Mexico Environmental Department Notice of Violation to City of Bayard
The New Mexico Environment Department (“NMED”) issued a September 4th Notice of Violation (“NOV”) to the City of Bayard alleging a violation of the New Mexico Solid Waste Rules, 20.9.8.16.C (1) NMAC. The NOV provides that the City of Bayard, New Mexico operates a wastewater treatment facility. NMED…
Residential Lead Directive for CERCLA Sites/RCRA Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program Facilities: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Memorandum
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued an October 16th directive titled: Residential Lead Directive for CERCLA Sites and RCRA Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program Facilities (“Directive”). The Memorandum was transmitted from EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Office of Land…
Mapping Water From Space and Ground: Arkansas Water Resources Center Discusses New USGS Tools to Help Arkansas Understand its Water
The Arkansas Water Resources Center (“AWRC”) publication Water Currents published an article on October 13th titled: Mapping Water from Space and Ground: How New USGS Tools Help Arkansas Understand Its Water. The AWRC was founded in 1064 and notes its activities include: Engaging with students…