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Public Policy
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November 15, 2024
DOL Floats New Restrictions On H-2B Employer Wage Surveys
The U.S. Department of Labor on Friday proposed a rule to further limit employers' use of privately commissioned wage surveys when seeking to hire temporary foreign workers through the H-2B visa program.
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November 15, 2024
FERC Ignored Calif. Hydro Permitting Mischief, DC Circ. Told
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission turned a blind eye to clear evidence that California's water board gamed the permitting process in concluding that the state agency didn't waive its Clean Water Act permitting authority over two hydroelectric dams, the D.C. Circuit heard this week.
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November 15, 2024
GM's Cruise Accepts $500K Criminal Fine Over Robotaxi Crash
Cruise LLC, the autonomous vehicles subsidiary of General Motors Co., has agreed to pay $500,000 in criminal fines to end claims that it made false statements to federal highway investigators by omitting that one of its vehicles dragged a pedestrian over 20 feet, according to an announcement by federal prosecutors.
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November 15, 2024
Paxton Says Texas Porn Site Law 'Modest' Way To End 'Crisis'
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday that a state law requiring visitors to prove their age before accessing content on certain adult-oriented websites is tailored in the most "modest" way possible to address a "public health crisis."
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November 15, 2024
Texas Judge Won't Halt CFPB Small-Biz Rule As Banks Appeal
A Texas federal judge has declined to stay the compliance date of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's small-business lending data collection rule while a coalition of bank trade groups appeals his decision to uphold the rule's data collection requirements, saying no circumstances justify such "extraordinary relief."
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November 15, 2024
Denver Voters Reject Sales Tax Hike For Affordable Housing
Denver voters narrowly rejected a ballot measure that would have increased the city's sales and use tax by 0.5 percentage points and dedicated the anticipated $100 million in revenue to the city's affordable housing efforts.
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November 15, 2024
Cable Biz Group Doubts FCC Legal Authority On Data Caps
Independent cable providers want the Federal Communications Commission to scrap its potential clamp down on data usage limits in broadband service plans, claiming the agency lacks legal authority to move ahead.
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November 15, 2024
Feds Say 'One' DACA Kid Not Enough To Sue Over Health Reg
The Biden administration slammed North Dakota's attempt to show financial suffering from a federal rule granting health coverage to DACA recipients, saying that the state pointing to "one" unidentified DACA individual isn't enough to establish standing for a lawsuit.
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November 15, 2024
DEA Judge Nixes Vet Group's Bid To Take Part In Pot Hearings
An administrative law judge with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Friday denied a veterans group's bid to participate in upcoming hearings on a proposal to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana.
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November 15, 2024
Wis. Agency Issues Permits To Reroute Enbridge Pipeline
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approved permits needed for Enbridge Energy to move forward with a proposal to reroute a 12-mile portion of its controversial Line 5 pipeline around a Native American reservation and build a new 41-mile segment outside the area.
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November 15, 2024
Detroit Riverfront Org.'s Ex-CFO Admits He Embezzled Funds
The former finance chief of a nonprofit that has helped redevelop Detroit's riverfront pled guilty Friday to stealing tens of millions of dollars from the organization and agreed to pay more than $44 million in restitution as part of his plea agreement.
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November 15, 2024
Hedge Fund Group Urges Trump To Reject 'Punitive' Policies
A leading industry group representing hedge funds and other alternative asset managers is urging President-elect Donald Trump to abandon "punitive" economic policies and instead propose tax and regulatory relief, including business-friendly priorities at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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November 15, 2024
Now 'Back To Stability,' Mass. US Atty Office Set To Ramp Up
The incoming Trump administration's pick for Massachusetts U.S. attorney has a chance to revive the productivity of an office known for bringing complex and often high-profile cases, veterans of the district say, but new leadership and priorities at the Justice Department leave looming uncertainties.
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November 15, 2024
FERC Can't Justify Pipeline Project Extension, DC Circ. Told
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's ability to extend pipeline construction deadlines simply cannot be applied to a wholesale revision of a proposed southern spur of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, opponents of the project told the D.C. Circuit Thursday.
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November 15, 2024
Detroit 'Rain Tax' Stormwater Fees Upheld By Appellate Court
Fees that Detroit charges property owners to maintain its stormwater drainage system are not illegal taxes, a Michigan Court of Appeals panel held, finding that although the charges are effectively compulsory, they are not subject to constitutional restrictions on tax increases.
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November 15, 2024
USPTO Finalizes Adjustments In 2025 Trademark Fees
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is finalizing a proposal from earlier this year on changes to its fee structures, including adding surcharges on trademark applications lacking sufficient information and increasing the cost for paper applications.
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November 15, 2024
Ga. Attys Named Co-Class Counsel In BioLab Fire Suit
The judge overseeing a proposed class action filed against chemical manufacturer BioLab Inc. in the aftermath of an industrial fire at its Conyers, Georgia, plant gave four firms the green light to take the helm of the plaintiffs' case, clearing the way for the filing of a consolidated amended complaint.
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November 15, 2024
FCC Passes New Satellite Spectrum Sharing Rules
The Federal Communications Commission on Friday released new rules covering the sharing of spectrum by non-geostationary orbit fixed satellites that commissioners say will encourage industry growth but also protect existing systems.
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November 15, 2024
Texas Judge Strikes Down DOL Overtime Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor lacked the authority to raise the salary threshold for a Fair Labor Standards Act overtime exemption, a Texas federal judge ruled Friday, striking down a hotly contested rule that has been in effect since July.
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November 15, 2024
Pennsylvania AG Can't Stop Glass Plant From Moving To Ohio
A Pennsylvania federal judge denied the Keystone State attorney general's bid to stop a private equity firm from shutting down a Pyrex plant it purchased and moving its operations to Ohio, ruling that "there is simply insufficient evidence presented" to show that the move will be anticompetitive.
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November 15, 2024
Ayahuasca Church Urges Justices To Hear Discovery Case
An Arizona church that uses a psychedelic substance in its ceremonies has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider lower courts' rulings directing the church to turn over members' personal information to federal drug enforcement authorities.
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November 15, 2024
Off The Bench: NCAA Eligibility Fight, Movie Script Dispute
In this week's Off The Bench, a college football star takes the NCAA to court seeking one more year to play, the plot of a recent Netflix release might have been lifted from another creator and a transgender college athlete's right to compete is challenged by other players.
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November 15, 2024
Oil Terminal Co. Offers $2M To End Falsified-Inspection Claims
A Gulf Oil successor has offered to pay the state of Connecticut $2 million to settle accusations the company failed to secure new construction permits and spent years fabricating and falsifying inspection reports for existing bulk gasoline terminal tanks along New Haven Harbor in Long Island Sound, court filings show.
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November 15, 2024
Texas Judge Asked To Bar Biden Policies, Restart Border Wall
Texas counties and a rancher urged a Lone Star State federal judge Thursday to preliminarily block Biden administration immigration policies they allege run afoul of Congress' goal to have "zero illegal entries" at the U.S.-Mexico border and require the federal government to resume building a wall along the border.
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November 15, 2024
Grassley To Take 'Traditional Approach' To Blue Slips
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the incoming chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is signaling he will keep the process in place for home state senators' approval of district court nominees, although in the past he has claimed discretion to move forward when he thinks there's no good reason to block a nominee.
Expert Analysis
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What The SEC Liquidity Risk Management Amendments Entail
Fund managers should be cognizant of the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission's recent changes to certain reporting requirements and guidance related to open-end fund liquidity risk management programs, and update their filing systems if need be, says Rachael Schwartz at Sullivan & Worcester.
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It's No Longer Enough For Firms To Be Trusted Advisers
Amid fierce competition for business, the transactional “trusted adviser” paradigm from which most firms operate is no longer sufficient — they should instead aim to become trusted partners with their most valuable clients, says Stuart Maister at Strategic Narrative.
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Vertex Suit Highlights Issues For Pharma Fertility Support
Vertex Pharmaceuticals' recent lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute is influenced by a number of reproductive rights and health equity issues that the Office of Inspector General should address more concretely, including in vitro fertilization and fertility preservation programs, says Mary Kohler at Kohler Health Law.
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Expect More Restaurant Ch. 11s As COVID Debt Comes Due
The wave of restaurant bankruptcies is likely to continue in the coming months as companies face the looming repayment of COVID-19 pandemic-era government loans, an uncertain economy and increased interest rates, says Isaac Marcushamer at DGIM Law.
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Calif. Bill, NTIA Report Illustrate Open-Model AI Safety Debate
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s balanced recommendations for preventing misuse of open artificial intelligence models, contrasted with a more aggressive California bill, demonstrate an evolving regulatory debate about balancing democratic access to this powerful new technology against potential risks to the public, say Stuart Meyer and Fredrick Tsang at Fenwick.
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Commerce Proposal Could Ease Trade Remedy Administration
Recently proposed international trade enforcement regulations could help the U.S. Department of Commerce more easily administer antidumping and countervailing duty remedies, in turn maximizing relief to American companies adversely affected by unfair trade, says Natan Tubman at Buchanan Ingersoll.
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What To Know About Ill. Employment Law Changes
Illinois employers should review their policies in light of a number of recent changes to state employment law, including amendments to the state’s Human Rights Act and modifications to the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act, say attorneys at Kilpatrick.
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Complying With FTC's Final Rule On Sham Online Reviews
The Federal Trade Commission's final rule on deceptive acts and practices in online reviews and testimonials is effective Oct. 21, and some practice tips can help businesses avert noncompliance risks, say Airina Rodrigues and Jonathan Sandler at Brownstein Hyatt.
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7 Takeaways For Investment Advisers From FinCEN AML Rule
With a new FinCEN rule that will require covered investment advisers to implement anti-money laundering programs and comply with extra recordkeeping requirements by 2026, companies should begin planning necessary updates to their policies and procedures by focusing on seven of the rule’s key requirements, identified by attorneys at Simpson Thacher.
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What VC Fund Settlement Means For DEI Grant Programs
An unexpected settlement in American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund, based on specific details of an Atlanta venture capital fund's challenged minority grant program, leaves the legal landscape wide open for organizations with similar programs supporting diversity, equity and inclusion to chart a path forward, say attorneys at Moore & Van Allen.
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Opinion
A Fuzzy Label With Bite: FTC Must Define Surveillance Pricing
The Federal Trade Commission recently issued orders to eight companies — including Mastercard, McKinsey and Chase — seeking information on "surveillance pricing," but the order doesn't explain the term or make the distinction between legal and illegal practices, leaving any company that uses personalized pricing in the dark, says Chris Wlach at Huge.
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Opinion
CMS' New 'Breakthrough' Device Policy Shows Little Promise
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ recent procedural notice outlining a new Medicare coverage pathway for breakthrough medical devices will, at best, be a failed experiment and, at worst, result in Medicare beneficiaries denied access to innovative treatments, say attorneys at King & Spalding.
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Missouri Injunction A Setback For State Anti-ESG Rules
A Missouri federal court’s recent order enjoining the state’s anti-ESG rules comes amid actions by state legislatures to revise or invalidate similar legislation imposing disclosure and consent requirements around environmental, social and governance investing, and could be a blueprint for future challenges, say attorneys at Paul Hastings.
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An Overview Of New Export Controls On Advanced Tech
With a new rule that took effect this month, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security continues to expand export controls on advanced technologies, including semiconductor, additive manufacturing and quantum computing, in coordination with international partners, say attorneys at Arnold & Porter.
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Nuclear Waste Storage Questions Justices May Soon Address
The petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to review U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission v. Texas stands out for a number of reasons — including a deepening circuit split regarding the NRC's nuclear waste storage authority under the Atomic Energy Act, and broader administrative law implications, say attorneys at MoloLamken.