Recent Developments in Florida Energy and Environmental Legislation
State AG Pulse | The Laboratories of Democracy
The Michigan Supreme Court released an opinion yesterday holding that a municipality may not disguise a tax by imposing a utilities franchise fee upon consumers through a utilities franchise agreement when that agreement...more
On January 30, 2025, the Appellate Division Second Department handed down a decision regarding the constitutionality of the New York State Voting Rights Act. The case, Clarke v. Town of Newburgh, concerned a challenge under...more
On January 20th, President Trump issued an executive order entitled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Trust to the Federal Government.” The executive order included provisions for the...more
In recent years, numerous state courts across the country have been asked to consider the question whether a plaintiff’s claim can be retroactively revived by the legislature after the claim has been extinguished by a statute...more
Based on recent decisions, judicial interpretation of New York’s Environmental Rights Amendment (also called the Green Amendment) continues to evolve. The Green Amendment guarantees New Yorkers a “right to clean air and...more
It looks like they do. In Held et al v. State of Montana the Montana Supreme Court declared the “MEPA Limitation” unconstitutional. The plaintiffs were 16 youths, ages 2 to 18 at the time of filing....more
Proponents of more comprehensive climate regulations who are frustrated by the federal government have increasingly turned their attention to state litigation....more
Earlier this week, the Montana Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of plaintiffs in a climate case based on certain provisions of the Montana constitution. Specifically, the court ruled that: - The...more
Florida law requires employers to consider accommodations for off-duty use of medical marijuana, a Florida state court has held and granted the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment....more
The BakerHostetler Labor and Employment Practice Group keeps a close watch on new and upcoming employment and labor laws that can significantly impact our New York-based clients. Below we highlight some of the recently...more
The 2024 North Carolina General Assembly session ended last Friday after members overrode a veto, proposed a change to the state constitution, and supported a constitutional convention to set term limits for members of the US...more
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with other Missouri business groups, recently filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Missouri attempting to stop Proposition A from taking effect. The lawsuit asserts five...more
On December 2, 2024, a Dane County, Wisconsin Circuit Court issued a landmark decision striking down portions of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 (“Act 10”) and thus affecting the collective bargaining rights of public sector employees...more
With election day behind us, Ohio legislators have gone full throttle into a lame duck session, focusing their efforts on wrapping up the 135th Ohio General Assembly before the end of 2024. With less than five voting sessions...more
Employers with workers in New York State may want to start preparing now for several new rules that will take effect on January 1, 2025. Most of them are likely to impact employers’ bottom lines....more
Yesterday's edition of the Los Angeles Daily Journal included an above the fold headline proclaiming "growing chorus for state constitutions should be taught in law schools". I don't recall such a course being offered when...more
In October, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that a law restricting the packaging of e-cigarettes violates the state constitution’s free speech protections. The decision illustrates the utility of free speech arguments...more
While Georgia did not hold an election for governor or any other statewide offices, there were ballot measures and legislative races to consider. The status quo will remain in place with Republicans having control of the...more
Many of my JDSUPRA postings, a full catalog of which may be found below, are about the doctrinal incoherence that is being inflicted on the institution of the trust by legislative intrusions into equity doctrine, intrusions...more
On November 5, 2024, seven states approved ballot measures to reaffirm the right to abortion, and three states rejected ballot measures to legalize abortion. These ballot results could have a significant impact on employers...more
On November 6, 2024, New Yorkers across the state voted “yes” on the Equal Rights Amendment, commonly known as Proposition 1. The newly passed Equal Rights Amendment expands New Yorkers’ constitutional civil rights and...more
Voters in five states voted Tuesday on whether to legalize cannabis in some form and only one measure passed. In Florida, nearly 56 percent of voters approved Amendment 3 to legalize adult-use cannabis but the measure failed...more
With the 2024 election today, several states are once again putting cannabis legalization on the ballot, with varying degrees of reform at stake. Here’s a look at the key measures that voters will consider...more
Fired Pastor's Ousting During Church Service Did Not Violate His Free Exercise Rights Anthony J. Sirven In Couzens v. City of Forest Park, Ohio, 114 F.4th 571, 574 (6th Cir. 2024), church leaders hired off-duty municipal...more
Ending four years of litigation in consolidated cases filed by the Nahant Preservation Trust, Inc. (“Nahant”) and Northeastern University (“Northeastern” or “the University”), the Massachusetts Appeals Court determined that...more