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 Energy Personnel Moves: Anna Swaim Named American Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Executive Director
November 14, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Arkansas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners (“AIPRO”) has named Anna Swaim to serve as the association’s Executive Director. Former Executive Director Rodney Baker will serve as Director of Government Relations. Both Anna Swaim and Rodney Baker have managed AIPRO since 2016. AIPRO…
Transportation/Hazardous Materials: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Interpretive Letter Addressing Preparation of Shipping Papers
November 14, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) addressed in a September 30th Interpretive Letter the application of the federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (“HMR”) to the preparation of shipping papers. See Reference No. 25-0103. PHMSA was responding to a request from Mr…
Clean Water Act/Notice of Intent to Sue: Conservation Law Foundation Alleges Violations by Vermont Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation
November 14, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Conservation Law Foundation and Vermont Natural Resources Council (collectively, “CLF”) transmitted an October 16th Notice of Intent to Sue (“Notice”) to Vorsteveld Farm, LLP (“VF”) alleging violations of the Clean Water Act. The Notice states that VF is discharging pesticides and other…
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule: National Association of Clean Air Agencies Comments Addressing Reconsideration
November 13, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The National Association of Clean Air Agencies (“NACAA”) submitted November 3rd comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) on the federal agency’s September 16th proposed rule styled: Reconsideration of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (“Reconsideration Rule”). The…
Arkansas Natural Resources Commission: November 19th Meeting Scheduled
November 13, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission has scheduled its next meeting for November 19th. The meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture is located 1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. Agenda items include: …