On September 13, 2025, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 79 (“SB 79), authored by Senator Scott Wiener, representing one of the most important land use reforms of the 2025 legislative session, one that is aimed at accelerating housing production in areas served by public transit. Building on Senator Wiener’s record of advancing transit-oriented development (TOD) and housing legislation, and as discussed in greater detail below, SB 79 provides new zoning standards, height and density allowances, and streamlining measures that aim to reduce barriers to housing construction within proximity to rail, bus rapid transit, and other major transit stops.

Although the Governor has not yet taken action on SB 79 and it has garnered opposition from some municipalities due to its restrictions on local land use authority and control, the measure would appear to align squarely with Newsom’s broader housing agenda and policy priorities. The administration has emphasized the need for bold, statewide interventions to accelerate housing production, particularly in infill and transit-rich locations. SB 79’s combination of statewide TOD entitlements, affordability mandates, anti-displacement protections, and enforcement mechanisms would appear to fit directly within those goals.

We’ve been following Minnesota’s proposed PFAS-in-products reporting rules for the past several months. As part of the rulemaking process under the Minnesota Administrative Procedures Act, and following public comment and a public hearing, a Minnesota Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) last month identified procedural and substantive deficiencies with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) proposed rule…

Workers’ compensation is a critical safety net for both employees and businesses. In Louisiana, navigating a claim for noise-induced hearing loss can be a complex process. For employers, understanding the legal landscape is essential to ensure compliance, reducing exposure, raising appropriate defenses, and avoid penalties. Below is a general guide to handling and defending workers’ compensation…

Smokestack in factory

On Sept. 4, 2025, EPA released its Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, signaling that the Agency is expected to continue to focus its deregulatory efforts on rules and regulations under the CAA in furtherance of this administration’s policy to increase domestic energy production and supply by easing rules on producers…

On September 24, 2025, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) published a list of entities it believes may be subject to the state’s climate disclosure laws, Senate Bill (SB) 253 and SB 261, which require companies “doing business in California” and meeting certain revenue thresholds to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions (SB 253) and climate-related financial risks (SB 261). Both laws require disclosing entities to pay CARB annual implementation fees. The preliminary list is “intended to support development of the fee regulation” according to CARB‘s announcement. However, the list is generating surprise and confusion among the regulated (and non-regulated) community, some of whom expected to find themselves on the list, and others who did not. Adding to the confusion, CARB made clear that the list includes entities that, at least under its initial staff concepts, would be exempt from the laws; the list also appears to include insurance companies that may be statutorily exempt from SB 261.

Some states, such as Louisiana, have restrictive statutes against contracting for defense and indemnity provisions. Under federal maritime law, however, these defense and indemnity provisions may be permitted. This distinction creates frequent tension in offshore injury lawsuits between the application of the bordering state law (which may prohibit defense and indemnity provisions) and the application…

Tomorrow: Sept. 26, Understanding the Basics of U.S. Grain Dealer Statutes
Next Week: Sept. 30, AgWorks: Foundations of the Employer–Employee Relationship (No Atty CLE available)
Regulatory Policy: Federal Court Issues Summary Judgment in Favor of Terminated Federal Employees
On September 12, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order…

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Singapore continues to expand its list of approved host countries, carbon crediting programs, and methodologies that meet the established criteria.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, Farhana Sharmeen, James Bee, Kevin Mak, and Qingyi Pan

On September 16, 2025, Singapore signed an implementation agreement on carbon credits in cooperation…