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
Saline Township Data Center/Contested Case Proceeding Request: Natural Resources Defense Council Submits Petition to Intervene Before the Michigan Public Service Commission Regarding Proposed Primary Supply Agreement
November 26, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Natural Resources Defense Council and three other organizations filed a November 19th submission before the Michigan Public Service Commission (“Commission”) styled: MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL, NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, SIERRA CLUB, AND CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD OF MICHIGAN’S…
Endangered Species Act/Proposed Data Center: Center for Biological Diversity Petitions U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to List Birmingham Darter
November 26, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“Service”) pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) a Petition to protect the Birmingham darter (“BD”) as a threatened or endangered species. Additional petitioners and…
Wastewater Enforcement/Clean Water Act: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and City of Decatur, Arkansas Enter into Expedited Settlement Agreement
November 26, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and City Decatur, Arkansas entered into a November 20th Expedited Settlement Agreement (“ESA”) addressing an alleged violation of the Clean Water Act. See Docket Number CWA-07-2025-0129. The ESA provides that Decatur is subject to Section…
Inspection and Enforcement Priorities: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Issues November 20th Memorandum
November 25, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) issued on November 20th a Memorandum addressing inspection and enforcement priorities. The Memorandum was transmitted form William Quade, Acting Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety to the Office of Hazardous…
Air Enforcement: Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board Technical Secretary's Proposed Order/Assessment Addressing Lobelville Steel Truss Manufacturing Facility
November 25, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board (“Board”) issued a Proposed Technical Secretary’s Order and Assessment of Civil Penalty (“Order”) to Buffalo River Truss LLC (“BRT”) addressing an alleged violation of the Tennessee air regulations. See Case No. APC25-0128. The Order provides that BRT…