DE Under 3: Behind the Scenes of EEOC’s Full Commission Hearing
Government in the Virtual World: A Look at Public Meetings and Hearings
Ethics Laws and the Importance of Transparency for Public Officials
On August 7, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary “FDA Pre-Check” program to encourage and expedite domestic drug manufacturing by offering qualifying facilities a more predictable, risk-based...more
On November 7, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a request for comments on areas for USPTO-FDA collaboration and engagement. The USPTO also announced a related public listening session to be held...more
The “budget implementer” bill that was passed in June amends Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), preserving, at least temporarily, elements of pandemic-era Executive Orders concerning “remote” and “hybrid”...more
On 30 July 2021, the FAR Council published a proposed rule to significantly strengthen “Buy American” requirements applicable to goods sold to the U.S. Government. The proposed rule promotes the procurement of goods,...more
On September 30, 2021, certain COVID-related suspensions of filing, noticing, and posting deadlines and tribal consultation timelines mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines and certain...more
In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20, suspending open public meeting requirements under the Brown Act and Bagley-Keene Act thereby allowing state and...more
In response to public agencies’ urgent need to adapt to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20 (amending in part Executive Order N-25-20) to...more
On June 11, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-08-21 (the “Order”) that establishes September 30, 2021, as the end date for COVID-19 pandemic-related suspensions for (1) deadlines for filing, noticing, and posting...more
Three New Bills Could Make Permanent Changes to Public Meetings - As we conclude a full year of virtual meetings, the use of “Zoom” and other virtual meeting applications has become so commonplace that it might be easy to...more
Shortly after declaring a State of Emergency with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in light of the desire to avoid large in-person gatherings, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 7B, which provides that the in-person...more
On October 16, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed SB 1108 amending the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) to allow meetings of public bodies to be held electronically or with remote participation, at least through December 31, 2020. The...more
While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the real estate development industry remains unclear, state government leaders in Virginia took important action this week to allow local public bodies to review and act upon land...more
On April 14, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-48 (the "Order"), extending the ability of public bodies to conduct remote public meetings through May 12, 2020. The Order rescinds Executive Order...more
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued New York State Executive Order ("EO") No. 202.15, which modifies or suspends several New York State (the "State") statutes, laws, codes, rules and regulations and further establishes directives to...more
On April 9, 2020, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.15 (the “Executive Order”), which dealt with, among many other issues, public hearings to be held by a local or state official, local government or...more
The public health crisis created by COVID-19 has forced municipal officials statewide to cancel, suspend or postpone previously scheduled public hearings and meetings. How do public bodies conduct their necessary business...more
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued multiple orders affecting how and under what conditions state and local agencies may meet and discuss and/or approve of contracts for services and products during the coronavirus...more
On Friday March 27, 2020, Governor Gina Raimondo announced the extension of a number of Executive Orders that we summarized in our 3/20 alert, “Summary of Rhode Island Executive Orders to Date.” ...more
Governor Kate Brown joined nearly a dozen other governors today by issuing a sweeping order (Executive Order 20-12) that essentially requires people to stay home except for essential travel, such as to the grocery store or...more
On March 18, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order providing further flexibility to public agencies conducting their meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order N-29-20 (“Order”) amends a prior...more
On March 17, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-15 (the "Order"), suspending "strict compliance" with Section 3 of the Open Meetings Act, 1976 PA 267 (the "Act"), until April 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m....more
To date, Rhode Island’s Governor Gina Raimondo has issued five Executive Orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These orders address some of the challenges facing businesses, local governments, and the provision of...more
Governor Issues New Executive Order Excusing Physical Location Requirements for Public Comment and Observation for Public Meetings - California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order (N-29-20), which, in part, supersedes...more
While there are more urgent public health issues to consider, the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused practical concerns regarding how public agencies can comply with Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act...more
In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, on March 12, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-25-20 (“EO N-25-20”). Among other things, EO N-25-20 suspends provisions of the Act (Govt. Code §§ 54950 et seq.) and...more