Government in the Virtual World: A Look at Public Meetings and Hearings
Last month, the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) proposed changes to its rules on site certificate amendments in OAR 345 Division 27. These rules govern the process by which the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE)...more
Senate Bill 784 (SB 784) will simplify and accelerate the approval of plats and replats throughout the state by shifting responsibility from local governing bodies to administrative staff. The intent of the bill is to reduce...more
As we discussed in our February alert, the Maine Legislature continues to consider bills that would further limit or eliminate Maine’s Net Energy Billing (NEB) program...more
Two bills that aim to advance the concept of a uniform capacity tax for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS) were the subject of a public hearing before the Connecticut General Assembly’s...more
On Monday, March 10, 2025, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Planning and Development Committee held a public hearing on the following eminent domain, property tax and land use bills of interest to the business community...more
Today, March 4, 2025, the Connecticut General Assembly's Housing Committee will hold a public hearing on two bills designed to incentivize the development of housing on the sites of commercial and retail properties....more
Two of the Connecticut General Assembly's most influential committees are holding public hearings this week on the following property tax bills of note...more
The Connecticut General Assembly's Planning and Development Committee will be holding a public hearing on March 13 at 10:00 a.m. on the following bills of interest to commercial property owners and taxpayers...more
Early this year, the Illinois Appellate Court issued an opinion responding to challenges asserted under the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Appellate Court held that the Village of Oak...more
New Legislation Related to Redistricting, Public Works, Advertising, Fire Safety and Planning and Zoning - In Part Two of the New Law Guidance series from Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK), we cover important new legislation...more
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has proposed sweeping and substantive changes to its Chapter 2 rules, which govern permit applications, appeals, permit modifications and suspensions, and other...more
On December 7, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted to post to public comment amendments to two Department of Environmental (DEP) sets of rules. The first proposes changes to Chapter 200, Metallic Mineral...more
A development agreement is a voluntary contract between a property owner and a local government to establish the rules that will direct the development, use, and mitigation of a specific property. The intent of Washington’s...more
Public Comment on the Federal Proposed Drinking Water Standards for Six PFAS Compounds - On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), published in the Federal Register its proposed national drinking...more
For as long as most of us can remember, real and personal property in Connecticut has been assessed for property tax purposes at 70% of its fair market value. Senate Bill No. 999, which was recently introduced in the...more
On December 12, 2022, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (“DCWP”) announced that it would delay the date of its enforcement of the New York City Automated Employment Decision Tools Law (“AEDTL”)...more
New Draft Assembly Map Released- New York State’s Independent Redistricting Commission has voted to move forward with a new draft Assembly map. There are several changes from the map that was used for this year’s elections....more
Several important updates to the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave law (“PFML”) go into effect on January 1, 2023. Background on the PFML - Beginning in 2021, the PFML began providing paid family and medical...more
On March 22, 2022, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a limited reopening of the rulemaking record for the COVID-19 emergency temporary standard for the healthcare industry, originally...more
On Friday, November 12, 2021, the Association of Bay Area Government’s (“ABAG’s) Administrative Committee formally denied 27 out of 28 appeals of draft housing allocations filed by local jurisdictions within the Bay Area...more
City Council Advances Streetery Bill A City Council committee advanced legislation to make some “streeteries” a permanent part of the city’s dining and zoning landscape. An amendment passed out of the Streets and Services...more
Solar Lab Unveiled at Frankford High School, Aiming to Train Students in Green Careers Sponsored by the Philadelphia Energy Association, U.S. Department of Energy, and PECO, city leaders unveiled a new solar lab at Frankford...more
As Gun Violence Surge Continues, City Council Considers Proactive Measures toReduceHarm - With a historic surge in gun violence continuing through the start of the fall, City Council is now aiming to take proactive measures...more
After commencing a regulatory review effort in February 2021, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has issued proposed amended Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) regulations...more
Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (the Climate Act), signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on March 26, 2021, includes new energy and water efficiency standards...more