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.
Is Your Contract Maritime? Genesis v. Danos Adds Clarity to the Maritime Contract Discussion
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
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—September 25, 2025
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
Singapore Signs Further Implementation Agreements and Announces Nature-Based Carbon Credit Projects
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
The Release Report #2: Discovery of an Existing Release
This is the second in a series of blog posts discussing key features of Connecticut’s new release-based cleanup regulations (the “RBCRs”), R.C.S.A. § 22a-134tt-1 et seq.
Under the new RBCRs, the obligation to characterize and, if needed, remediate pre-existing contamination begins with the “discovery” of that contamination by a person who created or is maintaining
The United States Fifth Circuit Narrows Maritime Contract Scope: Where the Fifth Circuit Stands After Earnest and Offshore Oil Services
In offshore operations, whether a contract is deemed “maritime” has major consequences. The classification determines the application of either federal maritime law or state law, along with its oilfield or construction anti-indemnity statutes for states such as Texas or Louisiana. The difference often decides whether the defense, indemnity, and insurance-related obligations in the contract survive
Changes to How Waste Tyres Are Regulated in the UK
The tyre waste exemption regime is changing in the UK, and it may impact your existing environmental permit. For example, if you have an exemption on a permitted site you may need to vary your permit, or you may lose an exemption if you benefited from more than one. You will certainly need to keep accurate records in electronic format ready for inspection by the regulator. Once these proposals are in force, you may only have three months to deal with changes to your permit.
European Commission Publishes Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus
On 16 September 2025, the European Commission published its Simplification Omnibus for Food and Feed Safety, proposing amendments to several pieces of EU legislation. The initiative aims to streamline procedures, enhance clarity and support innovation across the agri-food sector.
Despite its title, the new omnibus package is relevant not only to the agri-food sector but also to the chemical industry – particularly stakeholders involved in biocides and plant protection products. Indeed, the proposal includes suggested amendments to the following legislations:
Forming and Operating a Nonprofit Corporation in Louisiana: A Legal Guide
Since 1968, Louisiana law has recognized nonprofit corporations as a distinct business entity, providing organizations with a structured legal framework to pursue charitable, religious, educational, and other nonprofit purposes while benefiting from important legal and financial advantages. In 2015, Louisiana enacted the current Louisiana Nonprofit Corporation Act (the “Louisiana Nonprofit Act”),[1] which modernized governance,
EPA Proposes Repeal of GHG Reporting Program, Grants Arizona Primacy for UIC Wells
The agency’s actions have significant implications for the domestic carbon capture and storage industry.
By Joshua T. Bledsoe, Nikki Buffa, Jennifer K. Roy, Nolan Fargo, and Samantha Yeager
In the same week, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took two rulemaking actions with significant implications for the domestic carbon capture and