Legislation News

Iowa legislation targets asbestos lawyers who blame more defendants than they can prove

DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – Plaintiffs claiming injuries from asbestos and silica would have to establish a basis for suing each defendant under a bill the Senate Judiciary Committee passed on Feb. 18.

By Legal News Line | Feb 21, 2020

Legislation

Bill in Ohio seeks to set PFAS limit at least as strong as federal government's advisory

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Two suburban Columbus lawmakers have sponsored a bill to provide state-level standards for contaminants in drinking water in Ohio, including perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination levels that haven't been formally determined by the federal government.

By Karen Kidd | Feb 18, 2020

Latest News

Media prevail in court battle over whether Washington lawmakers are subject to Public Records Act

By Rich Peters | Feb 18, 2020

The Washington state Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that legislators are subject to the state Public Records Act (PRA), marking a historic ruling for news and media outlets as well as other advocates of open-record policies.

From WV Record

W.Va. lawmakers introduce bills that would monitor, regulate use of PFAS in state

By Chris Dickerson | 14 days ago

CHARLESTON – Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require companies that recently have used PFAS to monitor the discharge of those chemicals into water sources.

Appeals court upholds N.C. General Assembly's controversial 2016 votes

By Scott Holland | Jan 30, 2020

RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – A state appeals panel has agreed with a lower court’s ruling that the judicial branch isn’t suited to determine the pace at which lawmakers conduct official business.

Health care advocate: 'It is pretty clear' FDA, DEA failed to adequately protect public from opioid crisis

By Karen Kidd | Jan 23, 2020

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The federal Food and Drug Administration and other U.S. drug enforcement arms played significant roles in causing the nation's opioid crisis and their current unwillingness to use modern technology to help combat it is "baffling," the head of a D.C.-based technology and health care advocacy group said.

NY Dept of Health not responding to Legal Newsline freedom of information requests

By Karen Kidd | Jan 20, 2020

ALBANY, N.Y.. (Legal Newsline) – Almost three months ago, Legal Newsline sent requests about regulation and enforcement narcotics laws to the New York Department of Health under a state freedom of information law that requires a response in less than a week.

Two Republicans file PFAS amendment while others in GOP see no hope for bill

By John O'Brien | Jan 9, 2020

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The EPA would have six months to declare certain chemicals as hazardous under the federal Superfund law – a measure rejected late last year by Senate Republicans – if an amendment is adopted to a bill that will be the next battleground over the regulation of PFAS.

Georgia Senate committee addresses the growing infamy of the state's legal system

By John Breslin | Jan 3, 2020

ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – A Georgia Senate study committee charged with drawing up a plan to reduce the cost of doing business in Georgia has released its report with its recommendations to "safeguard and balance" the state's civil litigation system.

'Fake news': Senate hasn't reached deal on PFAS, sources say, as Dems told 'enough is enough'

By John O'Brien | Dec 5, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Reports of a U.S. Senate deal that would classify certain chemicals as “hazardous substances” under the federal Superfund law (and give trial lawyers more targets for lawsuits as a result) are false, say sources familiar with the issue.

Lawyers hire lobbyists to push their PFAS agenda on Congress

By John O'Brien | Dec 4, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Plaintiffs lawyers filing PFAS lawsuits are lobbying Congress as it mulls whether to designate the chemicals as hazardous under the Superfund law – a move that would give those lawyers more companies to target with litigation.

Texas policy group: San Antonio should repeal sick leave law before it's struck down by courts

By Amanda Smith-Teutsch | Dec 2, 2019

SAN ANTONIO (Legal Newsline) – A local judge in San Antonio has put the brakes on a city law that would have required private businesses provide paid sick leave for employees.

Tort reform head says PFAS issue could cause runaway litigation

By John Sammon | Nov 20, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The president of the American Tort Reform Association told members of Congress on Tuesday that litigation could get out of hand unless federal regulators adopt a commonsense, fair approach to dealing with the PFAS chemicals that activists claim are poisoning the nation’s water supplies.

From Penn Record

Critics come out to fight AG Shapiro's proposed antitrust rule; Law prof worries about impact on class actions

By Nicholas Malfitano | 5 months ago

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro wants to supplement regulations which are part of a state consumer protection law, but law scholars and business groups are concerned that he is trying to create a state anti-trust statute in doing so.

No evidence to justify entire PFAS chemical family as hazardous, industry groups tell Senate committee

By John Breslin | Oct 1, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – No scientific-based evidence has emerged to justify the listing of all members of a chemical family as hazardous and toxic, according to a coalition of industry groups.

Manufacture of life-saving devices under threat from PFAS legislation, industry says

By John Breslin | Sep 30, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Any legislation designating an entire family of chemicals as hazardous and toxic could deter medical device makers from producing life-saving devices, manufacturers are warning.

Air travelers, manufacturers face extra costs if 'hazardous' chemical amendment passes, AIA leader warns

By John Breslin | Sep 27, 2019

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Air travelers and aerospace manufacturers may face extra costs if an amendment designating a family of chemicals as hazardous is included in legislation currently being discussed in congressional conference, an industry leader is warning.

From Penn Record

Is AG Shapiro ignoring the legislature as he tries to change state consumer protection law?

By Nicholas Malfitano | 5 months ago

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office is proposing to amend the rule standards contained in the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, an action it claims is necessary but which some observers say is happening without legislative input.

Alaska attorney general recommends that state implement new payroll deduction process in wake of Janus ruling

By Charmaine Little | Sep 4, 2019

JUNEAU, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – On Aug. 27, Alaska Attorney General Kevin G. Clarkson penned a letter to Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy on how a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling concerning union dues and fees will adversely impact all state employees.

Cancer treatment center wants to block Florida law that voids non-compete agreement

By John Breslin | Jul 15, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will fight an attempt by a cancer treatment center company to bar state officials from enforcing a provision within a new law that outlaws certain non-compete agreements.

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