Webinar Friday, Aug. 22: Understanding the Basics of Foreign Agricultural Land Ownership Laws
Agribusiness: Texas Foreign Land Ownership Bill Effective September 1, 2025 
On September 1, 2025, Texas Senate Bill 17 (PDF), which prohibits land purchases in the state by certain foreign individuals and entities, becomes effective. The bill, passed into law on
No Pause for Climate Disclosures: Court Denies Motion for Preliminary Injunction Against California’s SB 253 and SB 261
UPDATE:
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the Ninth Circuit challenging the District Court’s denial of their motion for a preliminary injunction. Along with their appeal, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62(d) and Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 8(a)(1)(C). Plaintiffs
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of August 18, 2025
Oil and Gas Leasing: BLM Issues New Oil and Gas Leasing Definitions and Removes Fee Requirements 
On August 1, 2025, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finalized two rules to update its oil and gas leasing regulations, following the enactment of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB). The first rule, Revision to
Agency Budget Cuts and What Environmental Lawyers Do
Recent changes in federal government policies and reduced resources at environmental agencies are reshaping the landscape for environmental lawyers. As agencies struggle with limited capacity and diminished data collection, legal professionals must adapt their strategies to continue effectively advocating for their clients.
Center Staff Connects with Agricultural Producers at Ag Progress Days
The Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law enjoyed participating in this year’s Ag Progress Days, held from August 12-14, 2025, at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center. Center staff were involved in several programs throughout the three-day event, while maintaining a presence at their booth located in the Farm Credit building. Staff
Clarity on California’s Climate Disclosure Rules Could Be on the Horizon
As the January 1, 2026, deadline to make the first required disclosure under California’s landmark climate laws approaches, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced that it will host another virtual public workshop on August 21 to discuss its ongoing efforts to develop regulations implementing California Senate Bills (SBs) 253 and 261. SB 253
Do The Recent California Amendments to Its Environmental Review Statute Offer a Blueprint for Similar Changes in New York?
On June 30, 2025, California Gov. Newsom approved a bill (SB 131) aimed at increasing housing supply and strategic economic development. The bill has sparked controversy among some groups. Critics view it as a rollback of environmental protections under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is California’s version of the federal National Environmental Policy
One Stop Shop: Court Confirms Exclusive Jurisdiction of U.S. Courts of Appeals Over Review of Licensed Hydropower Projects
In a significant victory for the hydropower industry, last week the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon issued an order in Cascadia Wildlands v. EWEB (Case No. 6:25-00446), reaffirming that the U.S. courts of appeals, on review of orders of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), have exclusive jurisdiction over controversies related to
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—August 12, 2025
Register Now: 2025 Agricultural Law Symposium—Sept. 18, 2025. Early Bird Pricing until Aug. 29! Attorneys w/ CLE—$150, Non-CLE—$100.
Next Week—Fri. Aug. 22: Understanding the Basics of Foreign Agricultural Land Ownership Laws
Food Safety: FDA to Extend ‘Food Traceability Rule’ Compliance Date Until July 2028 
On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Fifth District Holds State Water Board’s Adoption of Regulations Requiring New Test for Whole Effluent Toxicity Violated Federal Clean Water Act Regulations Governing NPDES Permitting, But Not CEQA, APA or Porter Cologne
In a lengthy and highly technical published opinion filed August 5, 2025, the Fifth District Court of Appeal partly reversed and partly affirmed a judgment that had upheld the State Water Resources Control Board’s (“State Water Board” or “SWRCB”) adoption of the “State Policy for Water Quality Control: Toxicity Provisions” (the “Toxicity Provisions”), which policy