States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
States, Cities and Counties
Featured Stories
WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN
RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release:
* * *
WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN
Takes action to protect consumers in consequential merger proposal, fights federal overreach, and invests in communities
-
RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to advocate for ratepayers in front of the SCC, delivers on his promise to fight back against federal overreach, and invests in communities across the Commonwealth.
Protecting Consumers
Attorney General Jones ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release: * * * WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN Takes action to protect consumers in consequential merger proposal, fights federal overreach, and invests in communities - RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to advocate for ratepayers in front of the SCC, delivers on his promise to fight back against federal overreach, and invests in communities across the Commonwealth. Protecting Consumers Attorney General Jonestold the SCC that the 180-day review period for the Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal should be reset, following the companies' substantial modifications to the original proposal. The Virginia Code charges the Office of the Attorney General with the responsibility to represent ratepayers in front of the State Corporation Commission as they consider cases that impact the interests of consumers, including this merger.
Virginia Mercury and NBC12 and Cardinal News: 'A different deal on the table': AG Jay Jones asks SCC to reset the clock on Dominion-NextEra merger
Attorney General Jay Jones told state regulators Friday that they should reset the 180-day review time period for the $67 billion Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal, after the companies unveiled expanded conditions of the deal last week.
On Sept. 14, Dominion and NextEra jointly filed supplemental documents to the State Corporation Commission outlining new additions to the proposal, including extending residential customers' bill credits to four years instead of two.
The companies also pitched five-year job protections for Virginia staff working on the project, instead of 18 months, and a promise of a new office tower in downtown Richmond.
In the filing, NextEra CEO John Ketchum said several stakeholder hearings since the original filing of the case on July 15 prompted the changes that could make the deal more attractive.
"The Supplemental Merger Commitments... address the comments we have heard and propose to provide greater immediate customer benefits, headcount commitments, meaningful economic development initiatives..." Ketchum stated in the supplemental filing on Sept. 14.
Jones filed testimony on Sept. 18 arguing that the changes are significant enough that they should be considered an amendment to the initial proposal and that the 180-day countdown clock should be reset to start with the Sept. 14 filing.
He stated that the 180-day limit for the SCC to consider the case should be reset to the date of the supplemental filing to allow proper time for intervenors to review the new details, allow for the public to be engaged, and for any additional interested parties to file as intervenors in the case.
"The Joint Petitioners have put a different deal on the table," Jones' testimony read.
Because the companies' supplemental filing was submitted the first business day after the deadline to file as an intervenor in the case, Jones said, it "raises serious notice concerns."
"Case participants cannot simply take the Joint Petitioners at their word that these new proposals are unqualified benefits that will accrue to Virginia ratepayers and citizens," Jones said in his filing.
A proposal of this magnitude, Jones said, and the new conditions "prompt meaningful questions that must be asked through the discovery process to build a full evidentiary record about these commitments' impacts" to the public at just and reasonable rates.
As it currently stands, the SCC must make their final decision on the merger by Jan. 11, which would mark 180 days after the filing date of the initial proposal.
If regulators approve Jones' request to restart the 180-day merger review period from Sept. 14, the case would be ongoing during the regular General Assembly session, which begins in January.
[...]
If the SCC sides with Jones, a final decision on the merger case could be expected in March.
* * *
Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia AG seeks more review of $67B NextEra-Dominion merger
Promises of more bill credits in NextEra Energy's proposed takeover of Dominion Energy mean the State Corporation Commission should take more time to consider the deal, Attorney General Jay Jones said.
Earlier this month, NextEra said it would offer residential bill credits for four years, instead of two, bring 600 new jobs to Virginia and direct $100 million of stockholder funds to Dominion's Energy Share assistance program for Virginians struggling with energy bills.
With that, NextEra and Dominion "have put a different deal on the table," Jones said in a filing with the SCC.
State law gives the commission up to 180 days to consider utility mergers, and the clock started ticking when NextEra and Dominion formally asked the SCC to approve the $67 billion merger in July.
The deal can't go ahead unless the SCC approves, but if it doesn't act by what's currently a mid-January deadline, state law says the merger can go through.
"The proposals filed under the guise of 'supplemental testimony' amount to an entirely new proposal," Jones said.
If the SCC agrees that additional bill credits and other measures should be considered in its review, that would present significant procedural concerns because of the 180-day deadline, Jones said.
He noted that NextEra and Dominion decided to file the supplemental testimony on the first business day after the SCC's deadline for interested parties to formally intervene in the case.
That raises serious concerns about whether that gave interested parties sufficient notice, Jones said.
"Case participants cannot simply take (NextEra and Dominion) at their word that these new proposals are unqualified benefits that will accrue to Virginia ratepayers and citizens," Jones said.
"As with any proposal, especially one of this magnitude, these newly proposed commitments prompt meaningful questions that must be asked through the discovery process to build a full evidentiary record about these commitments' impacts to 'adequate service to the public at just and reasonable rates,'" Jones said, citing the language the SCC must consider when deciding whether to approve or reject a utility merger.
"Simply put, the filing of 'significant expansions' to the (NextEra and Dominion) proposal in this extremely important case just over a month before the filing deadline for intervenor testimony does not ensure intervenors have adequate time to analyze, conduct discovery on, and compile testimony regarding these 'significant expansions,'" Jones said, quoting the term the two firms themselves used to describe the changes.
* * *
WTVR: Virginia AG says Dominion-NextEra 'put a different deal on the table,' seeks merger review reset
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is asking the State Corporation Commission to restart the clock on the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra, saying new commitments filed by the companies amount to an amendment of the original merger proposal -- not a simple supplement to existing testimony.
"The Joint Petitioners have put a different deal on the table," Jones said in the Sept. 18 SCC filing.
On Sept. 14, Dominion Energy and NextEra announced new promises, including doubling bill credits, creating 1,000 new jobs, building a new office tower for NextEra employees, and maintaining current Virginia employee headcount levels for five years.
Jones said those new commitments require more time for review.
* * *
Fighting Federal Overreach
Attorney General Jones demanded that the federal government initiate an investigation into reports that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated Virginia's laws as part of new DHS program, following a recent whistleblower report. Also this week, Attorney General Jones and a coalition stopped Donald Trump's SNAP penalties and stood in opposition to a proposed federal law that could put federal funding for Medicaid at risk and interfere with state oversight.
* * *
PBS: DHS may have violated state election law, Virginia's AG says after whistleblower report
Virginia's attorney general said Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated several state laws after a whistleblower accused its employees of misrepresenting themselves on voter lookup tools to hunt for noncitizen voters.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Attorney General Jay Jones demanded that DHS confirm in writing whether it had directed anyone to access Virginia voters' information without first obtaining permission from those voters.
"Virginia Election Code does not permit disclosure of this protected information to the federal government without a court order," he wrote in the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The state explicitly limits its voter lookup tools to individuals who attest under penalty of law that they are looking up their own records.
The AP has asked DHS for comment on the letter.
Jones also asked Mullin to preserve all related records, including access logs, correspondence and training materials mentioned in the whistleblower report.
The anonymous report, published Monday by Democratic Senate leaders, includes transcripts of a DHS training for a group of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staffers, who it says were forced in late August to drop other work, complete a less than two-hour training and begin running DHS-provided lists of people through state voter registration systems to find "unlawful voters."
The whistleblower contends that agents have been asked to review 40 individuals per day, giving them about 12 minutes to determine whether each person is a legal voter and create federal records of anyone who is not.
* * *
The Virginian Pilot: Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter rolls, whistleblower alleges
A whistleblower alleged that Department of Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter records.
On Sept. 8, a whistleblower made a protected disclosure to the Senate accusing agents working on the Unlawful Voter Initiative -- the department's name for its investigation -- of having used Virginia's voter registration database to cross-reference names of noncitizens.
The whistleblower said USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate personnel were directed to impersonate Virginia voters by using personal information to access Virginians' voter records and falsely certify that they were the voters whose records they were accessing.
Virginia's online voter lookup portal requires users to certify that they are accessing their own voter registration record or have been expressly authorized by the voter. The site also warns that it is unlawful to access another voter's record.
The whistleblower also alleged that agents were assigned to review 40 subjects per day to meet a department quota. The whistleblower said agency training explicitly acknowledged Virginia's attestation requirement.
In a statement Tuesday, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson acknowledged the department accessed voter rolls.
"The Department accessed publicly available data from states' voter rolls and cross referenced them with known aliens in our systems. It's not rocket science; it's an easy step to secure our elections," the spokesperson said.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Sept. 17 citing several Virginia statutes that he said agents may have violated.
"Users that falsely make this certification in an effort to gather protected voter information may be violating several Virginia criminal statutes," Jones said. "The whistleblower also alleged that (Office of Chief Counsel) informed agents that they would not be 'personally liable for conducting these searches,' which further suggests that leadership is aware that the underlying conduct violates state law."
Virginia law protects voter information from disclosure. Jones said DHS would have needed a court order to access the records.
* * *
Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia AG challenges Trump administration voter probe
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones stepped into a national political spotlight on the eve of early voting for the next Congress by challenging President Donald Trump's administration for an undercover probe of state voter rolls that he said may be illegal.
Jones, elected last fall in a Democratic sweep of statewide offices, sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin on Thursday demanding accountability for the administration's "Unlawful Voter Initiative," which allegedly directed federal agents to access confidential voting records in Virginia without voters' knowledge or permission.
He cited a whistleblower report, which Senate Democrats publicly released earlier this week, alleging that homeland security agents had been directed to use the Citizen Portal to access Virginia voting records, which are generally available only to voters themselves or to someone they expressly authorize to view them. The state requires anyone seeking to view the records to certify that they have the authority to do so and warns that falsely answering would violate criminal law.
"These allegations strongly suggest that (department) leadership are knowingly directing staff to submit false certifications on Virginia's Citizen Portal in an effort to gather information they are legally barred from accessing," he said in the three-page letter, which The Times-Dispatch obtained.
Virginia isn't the only state identified in the whistleblower report as targeted by the homeland security initiative. Still, Jones quickly drew national attention for his letter, which the New York Times first reported on Thursday night, hours after Trump participated in a "tele-rally" for three incumbent Virginia Republican congressional representatives whom Democrats have targeted in congressional midterm elections on Nov. 3.
Early in-person voting began on Friday in Virginia, and absentee ballots went into the mail this week after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Trump's request to allow the U.S. Postal Service to implement a plan to limit absentee voting by mail.
"He's been very aggressive on this issue and developed a modest national profile," Richmond political analyst Bob Holsworth said of the attorney general, a former delegate whose late father had long served as a circuit court judge and delegate from Norfolk.
Jones does not conclude his letter but instead demands detailed answers about the initiative undertaken by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate, as part of the Department of Homeland Security.
"To ensure that Virginians' privacy rights are fully protected, I seek confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security whether it has accessed the Citizen Portal to search Virginia voters and, if so, that it has discontinued this unauthorized and illegal use of the Citizen Portal," he writes.
Jones said state law allows limited exceptions for third parties to access voting records through the portal, after certifying "that they are using the information for specific permissible purposes."
"In contrast, Virginia Election Code does not permit disclosure of this protected information to the federal government without a court order," he said.
The state elections website includes information about voter registration state, their polling place and voting history, the attorney general explained to Mullin.
"To ensure that this information is properly protected, as mandated by the Virginia Election Code, the Department (of Elections) requires Citizen Portal users to certify that they are either looking up their own information, or that they are expressly authorized by a voter to access their information," he said.
[...]
"However, the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia is not aware of any blanket legal authority that would permit (homeland security) staff to obtain protected information from state officials without a court order," he said.
Jones asked Mullin to confirm in writing by next Friday whether the department had directed staff to access confidential Virginia voter information without their permission and, if so, "how many Virginia voters' information was accessed."
He also demanded that the department staff "cease making any additional false certifications to obtain access to Citizen Portal, and cease accessing protected voter information" through the state system.
* * *
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Permanently Blocks Trump Administration's SNAP Penalties
"Food insecurity has hit Virginians across the Commonwealth in all types of communities, with Donald Trump's ongoing war on struggling families. Protecting access to this critical program for our most vulnerable was a day one priority of my administration that I am proud to deliver on," said Attorney General Jones. "Virginians are already stretching paychecks as far as they can and while Donald Trump might not care about the impact the cost crisis is having on them, this office does. We will not stop fighting for the programs and agencies created to support our most vulnerable Virginians."
* * *
Virginia Mercury and CBS19: Federal judge strikes down SNAP deadline that put Virginia at risk of added costs
Virginia and other states cannot be penalized under a Trump administration deadline that gave them too little time to put new federal food assistance rules into effect, a federal judge in Oregon has ruled.
The decision also rejects federal guidance that would have denied benefits to some lawful permanent residents, including people who previously entered the country as refugees or were granted asylum.
The Sept. 17 ruling resolves a lawsuit brought by a coalition of 22 states, co-led by Oregon and New York. Virginia joined the case in January, after the court had issued a preliminary injunction in December.
For Virginia, the decision removes a potential source of added costs as state and local agencies work through changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
It does not undo the changes Congress made to the program in its 2025 tax and spending law H.R. 1, including a provision requiring states with higher payment error rates to cover part of the cost of benefits beginning in fiscal 2028.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones welcomed the decision in a statement Wednesday, describing access to food assistance as a priority for his office.
"Virginians are already stretching paychecks as far as they can," Jones said. "We will not stop fighting for the programs and agencies created to support our most vulnerable Virginians."
Jones' office announced Virginia's joining the lawsuit in February, following a review of existing litigation after he took office in January.
* * *
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Joins Coalition of States in Pushing Back on Federal Rule That Could Undermine Medicaid, Insurance Regulation, and Health Coverage
"Virginians depend on strong, stable Medicaid and clear, accountable oversight of their health insurance. This proposed rule would undermine both," Attorney General Jones said. "Our coalition is standing together because CMS has overstepped its authority in ways that could reduce critical funding, create unnecessary barriers, and interfere with state responsibilities that protect families and their access to care. We're urging CMS to pull back this proposal and work with states, not against us, to ensure Medicaid remains reliable for the people who need it most."
* * *
WRIC and WAVY: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joins states opposing proposed federal Medicaid rule
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general opposing a proposed federal rule that they say could affect Medicaid funding, state insurance regulation and the operation of health insurance exchanges.
The attorneys general filed a comment letter with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), opposing the proposed rule. The rule would change how the federal government evaluates certain health care-related taxes and payments collected by states.
CMS says the proposal is intended to implement changes made by Congress in 2025 and establish new limits on certain health care-related taxes. The agency says the rule is designed to ensure states share responsibility for financing Medicaid and estimates it would reduce federal spending by $246 billion over 10 years.
The coalition led by Jones argues the proposal goes beyond what Congress authorized and could put federal Medicaid funding at risk.
"Virginians depend on strong, stable Medicaid and clear, accountable oversight of their health insurance. This proposed rule would undermine both," Jones said in a news release.
The proposed rule would establish new requirements for states involving health care-related taxes, including taxes involving health insurers. CMS says the proposal would establish health insurers as a permissible class for health care-related taxes and bring existing state taxes on health insurers under federal oversight. It would also create new reporting requirements for states.
* * *
Invests in Communities through TRIAD Grants
Attorney General Jones announced the distribution of $75,000 to 30 TRIAD chapters across the state, as part of the 2026-2027 TRIAD grant. Each year, chartered TRIAD chapters can apply for grants from the Office of the Attorney General to support their local programs. TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Awards $75,000 to 30 TRIAD Chapters Across the Commonwealth
"Virginians everywhere continue to experience an increasingly complex threat environment as it relates to scams and fraud, and our seniors are especially vulnerable to these attacks. TRIAD organizations across the Commonwealth play an integral role in educating Virginians on scams and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations to stop them," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "Supporting TRIAD chapters in their efforts to better awareness, spot trends, and respond to community concerns in real time is how we protect consumers on the ground-level. I'm proud of each of the grantees announced today and look forward to making communities safer with their partnership."
* * *
NRVNews: 30 TRIAD chapters share $75K
Attorney General Jones announced the distribution of $75,000 to 30 TRIAD chapters across the state, as part of the 2026-2027 TRIAD grant. Each year, chartered TRIAD chapters can apply for grants from the Office of the Attorney General to support their local programs. TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
[...]
"These TRIAD chapters are doing important work in our communities, and we're here to support them. This year's grant budget was larger than the last two years, a direct nod towards the Attorney General's commitment to TRIAD and Virginia's senior," said Benjamin Bickel, TRIAD Coordinator." The grant application process was highly competitive this year, demonstrating just how active TRIAD chapters across Virginia are."
The goal of TRIAD is to reduce seniors' fear of crime and victimization by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting them, strengthening communication between law enforcement and senior communities, and educating seniors on local and state resources available in their community.
September 25, 2026
* * *
Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3127-attorney-general-jones-opposes-attempt-by-trump-administration-to-impose-unlawful-taxes-on-h-1b-visas
* * *
WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN
Takes action to protect consumers in consequential merger proposal, fights federal overreach, and invests in communities
-
RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to advocate for ratepayers in front of the SCC, delivers on his promise to fight back against federal overreach, and invests in communities across the Commonwealth.
Protecting Consumers
Attorney General Jones ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release: * * * WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN Takes action to protect consumers in consequential merger proposal, fights federal overreach, and invests in communities - RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to advocate for ratepayers in front of the SCC, delivers on his promise to fight back against federal overreach, and invests in communities across the Commonwealth. Protecting Consumers Attorney General Jonestold the SCC that the 180-day review period for the Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal should be reset, following the companies' substantial modifications to the original proposal. The Virginia Code charges the Office of the Attorney General with the responsibility to represent ratepayers in front of the State Corporation Commission as they consider cases that impact the interests of consumers, including this merger.
Virginia Mercury and NBC12 and Cardinal News: 'A different deal on the table': AG Jay Jones asks SCC to reset the clock on Dominion-NextEra merger
Attorney General Jay Jones told state regulators Friday that they should reset the 180-day review time period for the $67 billion Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal, after the companies unveiled expanded conditions of the deal last week.
On Sept. 14, Dominion and NextEra jointly filed supplemental documents to the State Corporation Commission outlining new additions to the proposal, including extending residential customers' bill credits to four years instead of two.
The companies also pitched five-year job protections for Virginia staff working on the project, instead of 18 months, and a promise of a new office tower in downtown Richmond.
In the filing, NextEra CEO John Ketchum said several stakeholder hearings since the original filing of the case on July 15 prompted the changes that could make the deal more attractive.
"The Supplemental Merger Commitments... address the comments we have heard and propose to provide greater immediate customer benefits, headcount commitments, meaningful economic development initiatives..." Ketchum stated in the supplemental filing on Sept. 14.
Jones filed testimony on Sept. 18 arguing that the changes are significant enough that they should be considered an amendment to the initial proposal and that the 180-day countdown clock should be reset to start with the Sept. 14 filing.
He stated that the 180-day limit for the SCC to consider the case should be reset to the date of the supplemental filing to allow proper time for intervenors to review the new details, allow for the public to be engaged, and for any additional interested parties to file as intervenors in the case.
"The Joint Petitioners have put a different deal on the table," Jones' testimony read.
Because the companies' supplemental filing was submitted the first business day after the deadline to file as an intervenor in the case, Jones said, it "raises serious notice concerns."
"Case participants cannot simply take the Joint Petitioners at their word that these new proposals are unqualified benefits that will accrue to Virginia ratepayers and citizens," Jones said in his filing.
A proposal of this magnitude, Jones said, and the new conditions "prompt meaningful questions that must be asked through the discovery process to build a full evidentiary record about these commitments' impacts" to the public at just and reasonable rates.
As it currently stands, the SCC must make their final decision on the merger by Jan. 11, which would mark 180 days after the filing date of the initial proposal.
If regulators approve Jones' request to restart the 180-day merger review period from Sept. 14, the case would be ongoing during the regular General Assembly session, which begins in January.
[...]
If the SCC sides with Jones, a final decision on the merger case could be expected in March.
* * *
Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia AG seeks more review of $67B NextEra-Dominion merger
Promises of more bill credits in NextEra Energy's proposed takeover of Dominion Energy mean the State Corporation Commission should take more time to consider the deal, Attorney General Jay Jones said.
Earlier this month, NextEra said it would offer residential bill credits for four years, instead of two, bring 600 new jobs to Virginia and direct $100 million of stockholder funds to Dominion's Energy Share assistance program for Virginians struggling with energy bills.
With that, NextEra and Dominion "have put a different deal on the table," Jones said in a filing with the SCC.
State law gives the commission up to 180 days to consider utility mergers, and the clock started ticking when NextEra and Dominion formally asked the SCC to approve the $67 billion merger in July.
The deal can't go ahead unless the SCC approves, but if it doesn't act by what's currently a mid-January deadline, state law says the merger can go through.
"The proposals filed under the guise of 'supplemental testimony' amount to an entirely new proposal," Jones said.
If the SCC agrees that additional bill credits and other measures should be considered in its review, that would present significant procedural concerns because of the 180-day deadline, Jones said.
He noted that NextEra and Dominion decided to file the supplemental testimony on the first business day after the SCC's deadline for interested parties to formally intervene in the case.
That raises serious concerns about whether that gave interested parties sufficient notice, Jones said.
"Case participants cannot simply take (NextEra and Dominion) at their word that these new proposals are unqualified benefits that will accrue to Virginia ratepayers and citizens," Jones said.
"As with any proposal, especially one of this magnitude, these newly proposed commitments prompt meaningful questions that must be asked through the discovery process to build a full evidentiary record about these commitments' impacts to 'adequate service to the public at just and reasonable rates,'" Jones said, citing the language the SCC must consider when deciding whether to approve or reject a utility merger.
"Simply put, the filing of 'significant expansions' to the (NextEra and Dominion) proposal in this extremely important case just over a month before the filing deadline for intervenor testimony does not ensure intervenors have adequate time to analyze, conduct discovery on, and compile testimony regarding these 'significant expansions,'" Jones said, quoting the term the two firms themselves used to describe the changes.
* * *
WTVR: Virginia AG says Dominion-NextEra 'put a different deal on the table,' seeks merger review reset
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is asking the State Corporation Commission to restart the clock on the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra, saying new commitments filed by the companies amount to an amendment of the original merger proposal -- not a simple supplement to existing testimony.
"The Joint Petitioners have put a different deal on the table," Jones said in the Sept. 18 SCC filing.
On Sept. 14, Dominion Energy and NextEra announced new promises, including doubling bill credits, creating 1,000 new jobs, building a new office tower for NextEra employees, and maintaining current Virginia employee headcount levels for five years.
Jones said those new commitments require more time for review.
* * *
Fighting Federal Overreach
Attorney General Jones demanded that the federal government initiate an investigation into reports that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated Virginia's laws as part of new DHS program, following a recent whistleblower report. Also this week, Attorney General Jones and a coalition stopped Donald Trump's SNAP penalties and stood in opposition to a proposed federal law that could put federal funding for Medicaid at risk and interfere with state oversight.
* * *
PBS: DHS may have violated state election law, Virginia's AG says after whistleblower report
Virginia's attorney general said Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated several state laws after a whistleblower accused its employees of misrepresenting themselves on voter lookup tools to hunt for noncitizen voters.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Attorney General Jay Jones demanded that DHS confirm in writing whether it had directed anyone to access Virginia voters' information without first obtaining permission from those voters.
"Virginia Election Code does not permit disclosure of this protected information to the federal government without a court order," he wrote in the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The state explicitly limits its voter lookup tools to individuals who attest under penalty of law that they are looking up their own records.
The AP has asked DHS for comment on the letter.
Jones also asked Mullin to preserve all related records, including access logs, correspondence and training materials mentioned in the whistleblower report.
The anonymous report, published Monday by Democratic Senate leaders, includes transcripts of a DHS training for a group of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staffers, who it says were forced in late August to drop other work, complete a less than two-hour training and begin running DHS-provided lists of people through state voter registration systems to find "unlawful voters."
The whistleblower contends that agents have been asked to review 40 individuals per day, giving them about 12 minutes to determine whether each person is a legal voter and create federal records of anyone who is not.
* * *
The Virginian Pilot: Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter rolls, whistleblower alleges
A whistleblower alleged that Department of Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter records.
On Sept. 8, a whistleblower made a protected disclosure to the Senate accusing agents working on the Unlawful Voter Initiative -- the department's name for its investigation -- of having used Virginia's voter registration database to cross-reference names of noncitizens.
The whistleblower said USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate personnel were directed to impersonate Virginia voters by using personal information to access Virginians' voter records and falsely certify that they were the voters whose records they were accessing.
Virginia's online voter lookup portal requires users to certify that they are accessing their own voter registration record or have been expressly authorized by the voter. The site also warns that it is unlawful to access another voter's record.
The whistleblower also alleged that agents were assigned to review 40 subjects per day to meet a department quota. The whistleblower said agency training explicitly acknowledged Virginia's attestation requirement.
In a statement Tuesday, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson acknowledged the department accessed voter rolls.
"The Department accessed publicly available data from states' voter rolls and cross referenced them with known aliens in our systems. It's not rocket science; it's an easy step to secure our elections," the spokesperson said.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Sept. 17 citing several Virginia statutes that he said agents may have violated.
"Users that falsely make this certification in an effort to gather protected voter information may be violating several Virginia criminal statutes," Jones said. "The whistleblower also alleged that (Office of Chief Counsel) informed agents that they would not be 'personally liable for conducting these searches,' which further suggests that leadership is aware that the underlying conduct violates state law."
Virginia law protects voter information from disclosure. Jones said DHS would have needed a court order to access the records.
* * *
Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia AG challenges Trump administration voter probe
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones stepped into a national political spotlight on the eve of early voting for the next Congress by challenging President Donald Trump's administration for an undercover probe of state voter rolls that he said may be illegal.
Jones, elected last fall in a Democratic sweep of statewide offices, sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin on Thursday demanding accountability for the administration's "Unlawful Voter Initiative," which allegedly directed federal agents to access confidential voting records in Virginia without voters' knowledge or permission.
He cited a whistleblower report, which Senate Democrats publicly released earlier this week, alleging that homeland security agents had been directed to use the Citizen Portal to access Virginia voting records, which are generally available only to voters themselves or to someone they expressly authorize to view them. The state requires anyone seeking to view the records to certify that they have the authority to do so and warns that falsely answering would violate criminal law.
"These allegations strongly suggest that (department) leadership are knowingly directing staff to submit false certifications on Virginia's Citizen Portal in an effort to gather information they are legally barred from accessing," he said in the three-page letter, which The Times-Dispatch obtained.
Virginia isn't the only state identified in the whistleblower report as targeted by the homeland security initiative. Still, Jones quickly drew national attention for his letter, which the New York Times first reported on Thursday night, hours after Trump participated in a "tele-rally" for three incumbent Virginia Republican congressional representatives whom Democrats have targeted in congressional midterm elections on Nov. 3.
Early in-person voting began on Friday in Virginia, and absentee ballots went into the mail this week after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Trump's request to allow the U.S. Postal Service to implement a plan to limit absentee voting by mail.
"He's been very aggressive on this issue and developed a modest national profile," Richmond political analyst Bob Holsworth said of the attorney general, a former delegate whose late father had long served as a circuit court judge and delegate from Norfolk.
Jones does not conclude his letter but instead demands detailed answers about the initiative undertaken by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate, as part of the Department of Homeland Security.
"To ensure that Virginians' privacy rights are fully protected, I seek confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security whether it has accessed the Citizen Portal to search Virginia voters and, if so, that it has discontinued this unauthorized and illegal use of the Citizen Portal," he writes.
Jones said state law allows limited exceptions for third parties to access voting records through the portal, after certifying "that they are using the information for specific permissible purposes."
"In contrast, Virginia Election Code does not permit disclosure of this protected information to the federal government without a court order," he said.
The state elections website includes information about voter registration state, their polling place and voting history, the attorney general explained to Mullin.
"To ensure that this information is properly protected, as mandated by the Virginia Election Code, the Department (of Elections) requires Citizen Portal users to certify that they are either looking up their own information, or that they are expressly authorized by a voter to access their information," he said.
[...]
"However, the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia is not aware of any blanket legal authority that would permit (homeland security) staff to obtain protected information from state officials without a court order," he said.
Jones asked Mullin to confirm in writing by next Friday whether the department had directed staff to access confidential Virginia voter information without their permission and, if so, "how many Virginia voters' information was accessed."
He also demanded that the department staff "cease making any additional false certifications to obtain access to Citizen Portal, and cease accessing protected voter information" through the state system.
* * *
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Permanently Blocks Trump Administration's SNAP Penalties
"Food insecurity has hit Virginians across the Commonwealth in all types of communities, with Donald Trump's ongoing war on struggling families. Protecting access to this critical program for our most vulnerable was a day one priority of my administration that I am proud to deliver on," said Attorney General Jones. "Virginians are already stretching paychecks as far as they can and while Donald Trump might not care about the impact the cost crisis is having on them, this office does. We will not stop fighting for the programs and agencies created to support our most vulnerable Virginians."
* * *
Virginia Mercury and CBS19: Federal judge strikes down SNAP deadline that put Virginia at risk of added costs
Virginia and other states cannot be penalized under a Trump administration deadline that gave them too little time to put new federal food assistance rules into effect, a federal judge in Oregon has ruled.
The decision also rejects federal guidance that would have denied benefits to some lawful permanent residents, including people who previously entered the country as refugees or were granted asylum.
The Sept. 17 ruling resolves a lawsuit brought by a coalition of 22 states, co-led by Oregon and New York. Virginia joined the case in January, after the court had issued a preliminary injunction in December.
For Virginia, the decision removes a potential source of added costs as state and local agencies work through changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
It does not undo the changes Congress made to the program in its 2025 tax and spending law H.R. 1, including a provision requiring states with higher payment error rates to cover part of the cost of benefits beginning in fiscal 2028.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones welcomed the decision in a statement Wednesday, describing access to food assistance as a priority for his office.
"Virginians are already stretching paychecks as far as they can," Jones said. "We will not stop fighting for the programs and agencies created to support our most vulnerable Virginians."
Jones' office announced Virginia's joining the lawsuit in February, following a review of existing litigation after he took office in January.
* * *
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Joins Coalition of States in Pushing Back on Federal Rule That Could Undermine Medicaid, Insurance Regulation, and Health Coverage
"Virginians depend on strong, stable Medicaid and clear, accountable oversight of their health insurance. This proposed rule would undermine both," Attorney General Jones said. "Our coalition is standing together because CMS has overstepped its authority in ways that could reduce critical funding, create unnecessary barriers, and interfere with state responsibilities that protect families and their access to care. We're urging CMS to pull back this proposal and work with states, not against us, to ensure Medicaid remains reliable for the people who need it most."
* * *
WRIC and WAVY: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joins states opposing proposed federal Medicaid rule
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general opposing a proposed federal rule that they say could affect Medicaid funding, state insurance regulation and the operation of health insurance exchanges.
The attorneys general filed a comment letter with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), opposing the proposed rule. The rule would change how the federal government evaluates certain health care-related taxes and payments collected by states.
CMS says the proposal is intended to implement changes made by Congress in 2025 and establish new limits on certain health care-related taxes. The agency says the rule is designed to ensure states share responsibility for financing Medicaid and estimates it would reduce federal spending by $246 billion over 10 years.
The coalition led by Jones argues the proposal goes beyond what Congress authorized and could put federal Medicaid funding at risk.
"Virginians depend on strong, stable Medicaid and clear, accountable oversight of their health insurance. This proposed rule would undermine both," Jones said in a news release.
The proposed rule would establish new requirements for states involving health care-related taxes, including taxes involving health insurers. CMS says the proposal would establish health insurers as a permissible class for health care-related taxes and bring existing state taxes on health insurers under federal oversight. It would also create new reporting requirements for states.
* * *
Invests in Communities through TRIAD Grants
Attorney General Jones announced the distribution of $75,000 to 30 TRIAD chapters across the state, as part of the 2026-2027 TRIAD grant. Each year, chartered TRIAD chapters can apply for grants from the Office of the Attorney General to support their local programs. TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Awards $75,000 to 30 TRIAD Chapters Across the Commonwealth
"Virginians everywhere continue to experience an increasingly complex threat environment as it relates to scams and fraud, and our seniors are especially vulnerable to these attacks. TRIAD organizations across the Commonwealth play an integral role in educating Virginians on scams and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations to stop them," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "Supporting TRIAD chapters in their efforts to better awareness, spot trends, and respond to community concerns in real time is how we protect consumers on the ground-level. I'm proud of each of the grantees announced today and look forward to making communities safer with their partnership."
* * *
NRVNews: 30 TRIAD chapters share $75K
Attorney General Jones announced the distribution of $75,000 to 30 TRIAD chapters across the state, as part of the 2026-2027 TRIAD grant. Each year, chartered TRIAD chapters can apply for grants from the Office of the Attorney General to support their local programs. TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
[...]
"These TRIAD chapters are doing important work in our communities, and we're here to support them. This year's grant budget was larger than the last two years, a direct nod towards the Attorney General's commitment to TRIAD and Virginia's senior," said Benjamin Bickel, TRIAD Coordinator." The grant application process was highly competitive this year, demonstrating just how active TRIAD chapters across Virginia are."
The goal of TRIAD is to reduce seniors' fear of crime and victimization by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting them, strengthening communication between law enforcement and senior communities, and educating seniors on local and state resources available in their community.
September 25, 2026
* * *
Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3127-attorney-general-jones-opposes-attempt-by-trump-administration-to-impose-unlawful-taxes-on-h-1b-visas
Okla. A.G. Drummond Urges Congress to Regulate AI Industry to Protect Oklahomans
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Sept. 26 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
* * *
Drummond urges Congress to regulate AI industry to protect Oklahomans
OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 25, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling on Congress to take immediate action to regulate the artificial intelligence industry to protect the safety of Oklahomans.
Drummond joined a coalition of 25 other attorneys general in a letter sent to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader ... Show Full Article OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Sept. 26 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release: * * * Drummond urges Congress to regulate AI industry to protect Oklahomans OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 25, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling on Congress to take immediate action to regulate the artificial intelligence industry to protect the safety of Oklahomans. Drummond joined a coalition of 25 other attorneys general in a letter sent to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority LeaderChuck Schumer. In the letter, Drummond and the coalition warn that unchecked AI development endangers Americans and poses a potential threat to the nation's financial system, critical infrastructure and national security. The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass legislation that ensures AI development occurs at an intentional pace, builds in safety and transparency and preserves states' ability to oversee the industry.
"Oklahomans should be able to trust that the technology entering their homes, businesses and daily lives is safe," Drummond said. "When AI systems are breaking into networks and acting in ways that would be criminal if a person did them, we can no longer afford to wait. Congress must act now to put commonsense safeguards in place, and it must preserve the ability of states like Oklahoma to protect our own citizens."
In July, Hugging Face, an open-source library and repository, reported that it was being attacked by an unknown third party. Within a week, OpenAI admitted the attack was carried out by its AI agents, which escaped a testing environment and infiltrated Hugging Face using stolen credentials. OpenAI was aware of the agents' capabilities but failed to monitor their activity or stop their exploits. The agents' actions, if committed by a human, would have constituted criminal conduct.
Following the Hugging Face incident, Anthropic and Meta also acknowledged that their AI agents had entered the open web and performed dangerous and unlawful actions. This agent behavior has been known to the industry for years and is a direct result of how the models are trained.
In the letter, Drummond and the coalition emphasize that any AI regulatory framework considered by Congress must include:
* Federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by experts in AI model safety and backed by performance benchmarks;
* Uniform and transparent government-led incident response, with public findings that allow the industry to rapidly adapt;
* Safety infrastructure and experienced leaders empowered to make critical safety decisions without the pressure of profit maximization;
* International cooperation to pace AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence; and
* A prohibition on preemption of state laws, along with full authority for state officials to enforce federal protections.
Joining Drummond in sending the letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and American Samoa.
* * *
INFODOC: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/september/AG Letter - Federal AI Regulation Sept. 23 - with signatures.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/september/drummond-urges-congress-to-regulate-ai-industry-to-protect-oklahomans.html
* * *
Drummond urges Congress to regulate AI industry to protect Oklahomans
OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 25, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling on Congress to take immediate action to regulate the artificial intelligence industry to protect the safety of Oklahomans.
Drummond joined a coalition of 25 other attorneys general in a letter sent to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader ... Show Full Article OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Sept. 26 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release: * * * Drummond urges Congress to regulate AI industry to protect Oklahomans OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 25, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling on Congress to take immediate action to regulate the artificial intelligence industry to protect the safety of Oklahomans. Drummond joined a coalition of 25 other attorneys general in a letter sent to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority LeaderChuck Schumer. In the letter, Drummond and the coalition warn that unchecked AI development endangers Americans and poses a potential threat to the nation's financial system, critical infrastructure and national security. The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass legislation that ensures AI development occurs at an intentional pace, builds in safety and transparency and preserves states' ability to oversee the industry.
"Oklahomans should be able to trust that the technology entering their homes, businesses and daily lives is safe," Drummond said. "When AI systems are breaking into networks and acting in ways that would be criminal if a person did them, we can no longer afford to wait. Congress must act now to put commonsense safeguards in place, and it must preserve the ability of states like Oklahoma to protect our own citizens."
In July, Hugging Face, an open-source library and repository, reported that it was being attacked by an unknown third party. Within a week, OpenAI admitted the attack was carried out by its AI agents, which escaped a testing environment and infiltrated Hugging Face using stolen credentials. OpenAI was aware of the agents' capabilities but failed to monitor their activity or stop their exploits. The agents' actions, if committed by a human, would have constituted criminal conduct.
Following the Hugging Face incident, Anthropic and Meta also acknowledged that their AI agents had entered the open web and performed dangerous and unlawful actions. This agent behavior has been known to the industry for years and is a direct result of how the models are trained.
In the letter, Drummond and the coalition emphasize that any AI regulatory framework considered by Congress must include:
* Federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by experts in AI model safety and backed by performance benchmarks;
* Uniform and transparent government-led incident response, with public findings that allow the industry to rapidly adapt;
* Safety infrastructure and experienced leaders empowered to make critical safety decisions without the pressure of profit maximization;
* International cooperation to pace AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence; and
* A prohibition on preemption of state laws, along with full authority for state officials to enforce federal protections.
Joining Drummond in sending the letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and American Samoa.
* * *
INFODOC: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/september/AG Letter - Federal AI Regulation Sept. 23 - with signatures.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/september/drummond-urges-congress-to-regulate-ai-industry-to-protect-oklahomans.html
N.J. A.G. Davenport, Division of Consumer Affairs Issue Public Alert: Three Types of Synthetic Kratom To Be Listed as Controlled Dangerous Substances in New Jersey
TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
* * *
AG Davenport, Division of Consumer Affairs Issue Public Alert: Three Types of Synthetic Kratom To Be Listed as Controlled Dangerous Substances in New Jersey
Starting Today, Anyone Possessing or Selling These Products Could Face Criminal Charges
September 25, 2026
-
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs are alerting the public that starting today certain synthetic compounds related to the substance "kratom" will be illegal to ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * AG Davenport, Division of Consumer Affairs Issue Public Alert: Three Types of Synthetic Kratom To Be Listed as Controlled Dangerous Substances in New Jersey Starting Today, Anyone Possessing or Selling These Products Could Face Criminal Charges September 25, 2026 - TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs are alerting the public that starting today certain synthetic compounds related to the substance "kratom" will be illegal topossess and sell in New Jersey under a temporary order issued by the federal government.
"We are issuing this alert to make the public aware that these substances will join heroin, LSD, bath salts, and other dangerous drugs on the list of Schedule I drugs banned in New Jersey," said Attorney General Davenport. "Any individual or business found violating this ban could face criminal charges."
Natural kratom and other synthetic kratom-related compounds not scheduled will not be illegal in New Jersey as a result of this change in federal law. However, no forms of kratom or related synthetic compounds have been shown to be safe or effective to treat any medical condition.
"Consumers should utilize utmost caution with all kratom and related products," said Christopher Peterson, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. "It is important to stay informed and make careful decisions, especially when products may not meet established standards for quality or safety."
Kratom is a botanical substance that grows naturally. Consumption of its leaves or components produces both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses), and can lead to psychotic symptoms and psychological and physiological dependence.
Kratom is frequently marketed on the Internet and is sold in brick-and-mortar stores. However, kratom is not approved in the United States for any medical use.
Kratom products are not subject to any quality controls regarding contaminants or concentration. They may look like candy, and the labels may not identify the contents clearly for consumers to understand what they are consuming. Use of these products may lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and potentially to opioid addiction. In addition, these products may interact with legal and illegal drugs in unknown ways.
The federal Food and Drug Administration advises that kratom poses a threat to public health and has the potential for abuse.
In response to growing public-health and safety concerns, in August 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) temporarily classified three synthetic compounds related to synthetic kratom-mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16-as Schedule I drugs. Schedule I means these substances are illegal to possess or sell and are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
Under New Jersey law, if the federal government schedules a drug and the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs does not object-which he did not in this case- that drug automatically becomes scheduled in New Jersey too.
The DEA's temporary scheduling order will remain in effect until at least August 26, 2028, unless the Division changes it.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-division-of-consumer-affairs-issue-public-alert-three-types-of-synthetic-kratom-to-be-listed-as-controlled-dangerous-substances-in-new-jersey/
* * *
AG Davenport, Division of Consumer Affairs Issue Public Alert: Three Types of Synthetic Kratom To Be Listed as Controlled Dangerous Substances in New Jersey
Starting Today, Anyone Possessing or Selling These Products Could Face Criminal Charges
September 25, 2026
-
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs are alerting the public that starting today certain synthetic compounds related to the substance "kratom" will be illegal to ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * AG Davenport, Division of Consumer Affairs Issue Public Alert: Three Types of Synthetic Kratom To Be Listed as Controlled Dangerous Substances in New Jersey Starting Today, Anyone Possessing or Selling These Products Could Face Criminal Charges September 25, 2026 - TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs are alerting the public that starting today certain synthetic compounds related to the substance "kratom" will be illegal topossess and sell in New Jersey under a temporary order issued by the federal government.
"We are issuing this alert to make the public aware that these substances will join heroin, LSD, bath salts, and other dangerous drugs on the list of Schedule I drugs banned in New Jersey," said Attorney General Davenport. "Any individual or business found violating this ban could face criminal charges."
Natural kratom and other synthetic kratom-related compounds not scheduled will not be illegal in New Jersey as a result of this change in federal law. However, no forms of kratom or related synthetic compounds have been shown to be safe or effective to treat any medical condition.
"Consumers should utilize utmost caution with all kratom and related products," said Christopher Peterson, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. "It is important to stay informed and make careful decisions, especially when products may not meet established standards for quality or safety."
Kratom is a botanical substance that grows naturally. Consumption of its leaves or components produces both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses), and can lead to psychotic symptoms and psychological and physiological dependence.
Kratom is frequently marketed on the Internet and is sold in brick-and-mortar stores. However, kratom is not approved in the United States for any medical use.
Kratom products are not subject to any quality controls regarding contaminants or concentration. They may look like candy, and the labels may not identify the contents clearly for consumers to understand what they are consuming. Use of these products may lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and potentially to opioid addiction. In addition, these products may interact with legal and illegal drugs in unknown ways.
The federal Food and Drug Administration advises that kratom poses a threat to public health and has the potential for abuse.
In response to growing public-health and safety concerns, in August 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) temporarily classified three synthetic compounds related to synthetic kratom-mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16-as Schedule I drugs. Schedule I means these substances are illegal to possess or sell and are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
Under New Jersey law, if the federal government schedules a drug and the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs does not object-which he did not in this case- that drug automatically becomes scheduled in New Jersey too.
The DEA's temporary scheduling order will remain in effect until at least August 26, 2028, unless the Division changes it.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-division-of-consumer-affairs-issue-public-alert-three-types-of-synthetic-kratom-to-be-listed-as-controlled-dangerous-substances-in-new-jersey/
N.J. A.G. Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models
TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models
Bipartisan Coalition of AGs Demands Establishment of a Robust Regulatory Framework for AI Development
September 25, 2026
-
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 26 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to enact comprehensive federal artificial intelligence (AI) regulations to protect our residents in light of recent incidents ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models Bipartisan Coalition of AGs Demands Establishment of a Robust Regulatory Framework for AI Development September 25, 2026 - TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 26 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to enact comprehensive federal artificial intelligence (AI) regulations to protect our residents in light of recent incidentshighlighting the risk of AI-caused catastrophes for public safety, critical infrastructure, and national security. The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass substantive legislation to regulate the AI industry to ensure that development occurs at an intentional pace, incorporates safety and transparency by design, and maintains states' ability to oversee the industry.
"The amazing promise of AI--whether to detect cancer faster or to aid drug discovery--will mean nothing in the end if our residents' health and finances, our utility grid, or our transportation safety systems are continually threatened by the risk of rogue AI events," said Attorney General Davenport. "The AI industry should be treated no differently than other industries whose technologies have the potential to cause enormous harm to people."
The coalition warns that self-regulation by the companies racing to develop advanced AI models is not sufficient--as a spate of recent incidents, in which advanced AI systems from multiple leading developers acted in dangerous and unlawful ways, makes this clear. In several cases, AI agents reportedly escaped their testing environments, accessed the open internet, and carried out harmful actions--conduct that, if performed by humans, would have violated criminal law.
According to the attorneys general, these incidents were not isolated. Multiple frontier AI labs have disclosed similar failures, and independent safety researchers have uncovered additional problems that the companies did not initially reveal. This pattern shows that voluntary self-regulation is inadequate to protect the public and highlights the risk that AI labs will prioritize expanding models' intelligence capabilities over ensuring safety.
Self-Regulation Has Failed
The attorneys general noted that some of the most troubling revelations came not from the companies themselves, but from outside researchers and journalists. In several instances, developers minimized the scope of incidents or delayed public disclosure. This lack of transparency underscores why independent federal oversight is essential.
Several current and former AI researchers have issued stark warnings about the potential dangers of increasingly powerful, intelligent systems. An increasing number of AI industry leaders now acknowledge the risks, with leading executives and senior scientists at major AI labs agreeing that mandatory national safety regulation and coordinated efforts to manage the pace of AI development are necessary.
The coalition's letter urges Congress to treat AI regulation with the same seriousness it has historically applied to the financial system, transportation systems, and national security. At a minimum, the attorneys general explain, federal action must ensure that AI development proceeds at a responsible pace and incorporates safety and transparency by design.
The letter says federal legislation should focus on six key priorities:
* Mandatory federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by qualified experts and backed by consistent performance benchmarks;
* Transparent, government-led incident response, with investigators empowered to access records and publish findings;
* Robust, mandatory safety infrastructure and experienced leadership empowered to make critical safety decisions independent of profit pressures;
* International cooperation to responsibly manage AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence;
* Safeguards for competition to ensure regulation does not entrench dominant companies or provide cover for companies to evade existing antitrust laws; and
* Explicit preservation of state authority, ensuring that federal action does not preempt state laws and that state officials retain full enforcement power.
The attorneys general stressed that they are actively working to hold AI companies accountable under existing state laws and will continue to do so. However, they emphasized that federal action is particularly warranted to achieve the national and international coordination required to address risks of this scale.
This is not the first time attorneys general have called on Congress to create responsible AI regulation while preserving the rights of states to do the same. Last November, New Jersey joined a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general opposing efforts to ban state laws that address artificial intelligence (AI).
Attorney General Davenport is joined in sending this letter to Congress by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa.
* * *
INFODOC: https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-0924_Letter-re-federal-AI-regulation.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-urges-congress-to-protect-americans-from-uncontrolled-artificial-intelligence-models/
* * *
Attorney General Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models
Bipartisan Coalition of AGs Demands Establishment of a Robust Regulatory Framework for AI Development
September 25, 2026
-
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 26 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to enact comprehensive federal artificial intelligence (AI) regulations to protect our residents in light of recent incidents ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models Bipartisan Coalition of AGs Demands Establishment of a Robust Regulatory Framework for AI Development September 25, 2026 - TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 26 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to enact comprehensive federal artificial intelligence (AI) regulations to protect our residents in light of recent incidentshighlighting the risk of AI-caused catastrophes for public safety, critical infrastructure, and national security. The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass substantive legislation to regulate the AI industry to ensure that development occurs at an intentional pace, incorporates safety and transparency by design, and maintains states' ability to oversee the industry.
"The amazing promise of AI--whether to detect cancer faster or to aid drug discovery--will mean nothing in the end if our residents' health and finances, our utility grid, or our transportation safety systems are continually threatened by the risk of rogue AI events," said Attorney General Davenport. "The AI industry should be treated no differently than other industries whose technologies have the potential to cause enormous harm to people."
The coalition warns that self-regulation by the companies racing to develop advanced AI models is not sufficient--as a spate of recent incidents, in which advanced AI systems from multiple leading developers acted in dangerous and unlawful ways, makes this clear. In several cases, AI agents reportedly escaped their testing environments, accessed the open internet, and carried out harmful actions--conduct that, if performed by humans, would have violated criminal law.
According to the attorneys general, these incidents were not isolated. Multiple frontier AI labs have disclosed similar failures, and independent safety researchers have uncovered additional problems that the companies did not initially reveal. This pattern shows that voluntary self-regulation is inadequate to protect the public and highlights the risk that AI labs will prioritize expanding models' intelligence capabilities over ensuring safety.
Self-Regulation Has Failed
The attorneys general noted that some of the most troubling revelations came not from the companies themselves, but from outside researchers and journalists. In several instances, developers minimized the scope of incidents or delayed public disclosure. This lack of transparency underscores why independent federal oversight is essential.
Several current and former AI researchers have issued stark warnings about the potential dangers of increasingly powerful, intelligent systems. An increasing number of AI industry leaders now acknowledge the risks, with leading executives and senior scientists at major AI labs agreeing that mandatory national safety regulation and coordinated efforts to manage the pace of AI development are necessary.
The coalition's letter urges Congress to treat AI regulation with the same seriousness it has historically applied to the financial system, transportation systems, and national security. At a minimum, the attorneys general explain, federal action must ensure that AI development proceeds at a responsible pace and incorporates safety and transparency by design.
The letter says federal legislation should focus on six key priorities:
* Mandatory federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by qualified experts and backed by consistent performance benchmarks;
* Transparent, government-led incident response, with investigators empowered to access records and publish findings;
* Robust, mandatory safety infrastructure and experienced leadership empowered to make critical safety decisions independent of profit pressures;
* International cooperation to responsibly manage AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence;
* Safeguards for competition to ensure regulation does not entrench dominant companies or provide cover for companies to evade existing antitrust laws; and
* Explicit preservation of state authority, ensuring that federal action does not preempt state laws and that state officials retain full enforcement power.
The attorneys general stressed that they are actively working to hold AI companies accountable under existing state laws and will continue to do so. However, they emphasized that federal action is particularly warranted to achieve the national and international coordination required to address risks of this scale.
This is not the first time attorneys general have called on Congress to create responsible AI regulation while preserving the rights of states to do the same. Last November, New Jersey joined a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general opposing efforts to ban state laws that address artificial intelligence (AI).
Attorney General Davenport is joined in sending this letter to Congress by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa.
* * *
INFODOC: https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-0924_Letter-re-federal-AI-regulation.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-urges-congress-to-protect-americans-from-uncontrolled-artificial-intelligence-models/
Maine State Sen. Curry Earns Score of 100% From Maine Women's Lobby
AUGUSTA, Maine, Sept. 26 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast:
* * *
Sen. Curry earns score of 100% from Maine Women's Lobby
September 25, 2026 | Senator Curry
AUGUSTA -- Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, earned a perfect score from the Maine Women's Lobby for votes during throughout the 132nd Legislature.
"Families in Waldo County need childcare they can afford, and survivors of violence deserve compassionate, reliable support," said Sen. Curry. "This session, we invested in childcare, passed a law requiring pay ranges in job ... Show Full Article AUGUSTA, Maine, Sept. 26 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast: * * * Sen. Curry earns score of 100% from Maine Women's Lobby September 25, 2026 | Senator Curry AUGUSTA -- Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, earned a perfect score from the Maine Women's Lobby for votes during throughout the 132nd Legislature. "Families in Waldo County need childcare they can afford, and survivors of violence deserve compassionate, reliable support," said Sen. Curry. "This session, we invested in childcare, passed a law requiring pay ranges in jobpostings and sustained vital services for survivors. I'm grateful to the advocates who helped make that progress possible, and I'm proud to have earned this perfect score. I'll keep working to make sure women and families have the support they need."
Sen. Curry has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights and health throughout his career in public service.
The full report card can be found here (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fe258011006361ee2898809/t/6a4fd9f8dd3e55459250c889/1783618040198/2026+Leg+Report+Card.pdf).
Sen. Chip Curry is serving his third term representing the 26 rural, coastal and island communities of Waldo County in the Maine Senate. He serves as Senate chair of the Legislature's Housing and Economic Development Committee and is a member of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.mainesenate.org/sen-curry-earns-score-of-100-from-maine-womens-lobby/
* * *
Sen. Curry earns score of 100% from Maine Women's Lobby
September 25, 2026 | Senator Curry
AUGUSTA -- Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, earned a perfect score from the Maine Women's Lobby for votes during throughout the 132nd Legislature.
"Families in Waldo County need childcare they can afford, and survivors of violence deserve compassionate, reliable support," said Sen. Curry. "This session, we invested in childcare, passed a law requiring pay ranges in job ... Show Full Article AUGUSTA, Maine, Sept. 26 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast: * * * Sen. Curry earns score of 100% from Maine Women's Lobby September 25, 2026 | Senator Curry AUGUSTA -- Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, earned a perfect score from the Maine Women's Lobby for votes during throughout the 132nd Legislature. "Families in Waldo County need childcare they can afford, and survivors of violence deserve compassionate, reliable support," said Sen. Curry. "This session, we invested in childcare, passed a law requiring pay ranges in jobpostings and sustained vital services for survivors. I'm grateful to the advocates who helped make that progress possible, and I'm proud to have earned this perfect score. I'll keep working to make sure women and families have the support they need."
Sen. Curry has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights and health throughout his career in public service.
The full report card can be found here (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fe258011006361ee2898809/t/6a4fd9f8dd3e55459250c889/1783618040198/2026+Leg+Report+Card.pdf).
Sen. Chip Curry is serving his third term representing the 26 rural, coastal and island communities of Waldo County in the Maine Senate. He serves as Senate chair of the Legislature's Housing and Economic Development Committee and is a member of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.mainesenate.org/sen-curry-earns-score-of-100-from-maine-womens-lobby/
Blue Star Welcome Week 2026
JUNEAU, Alaska, Sept. 26 -- Gov. Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, issued the following news release:
* * *
Blue Star Welcome Week 2026
*
WHEREAS, Blue Star Families seeks to empower military families by connecting them with their neighbors, individuals and organizations to cultivate vibrant communities of mutual support; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the 600,000 active-duty and transitioning military families who relocate to new communities each year and nearly half of this permanent change of station (PCS) moves occur during the summer; and
WHEREAS, only 40 percent of military family respondents to ... Show Full Article JUNEAU, Alaska, Sept. 26 -- Gov. Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Blue Star Welcome Week 2026 * WHEREAS, Blue Star Families seeks to empower military families by connecting them with their neighbors, individuals and organizations to cultivate vibrant communities of mutual support; and WHEREAS, we recognize the 600,000 active-duty and transitioning military families who relocate to new communities each year and nearly half of this permanent change of station (PCS) moves occur during the summer; and WHEREAS, only 40 percent of military family respondents tothe 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey indicated that they feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian community, which is essential to the well-being and readiness of military families; and
WHEREAS, we express our gratitude for the sacrifices made by service members, transitioning Veterans and their families by working to ensure that military and Veteran connected families experience a strong sense of belonging to their local civilian communities; and
WHEREAS, there are 20,671 Active-Duty Service members and the many Blue Star Family members residing in Alaska and we urge all Alaskans to welcome military and Veteran connected families into their communities.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim September 26 - October 4, 2026 as:
Blue Star Welcome Week
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to support and help our military families feel welcome in our communities and in our Great State, and to honor the sacrifices they have made.
Dated: September 26, 2026
***
Original text here: https://gov.alaska.gov/blue-star-welcome-week-2026/
* * *
Blue Star Welcome Week 2026
*
WHEREAS, Blue Star Families seeks to empower military families by connecting them with their neighbors, individuals and organizations to cultivate vibrant communities of mutual support; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the 600,000 active-duty and transitioning military families who relocate to new communities each year and nearly half of this permanent change of station (PCS) moves occur during the summer; and
WHEREAS, only 40 percent of military family respondents to ... Show Full Article JUNEAU, Alaska, Sept. 26 -- Gov. Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, issued the following news release: * * * Blue Star Welcome Week 2026 * WHEREAS, Blue Star Families seeks to empower military families by connecting them with their neighbors, individuals and organizations to cultivate vibrant communities of mutual support; and WHEREAS, we recognize the 600,000 active-duty and transitioning military families who relocate to new communities each year and nearly half of this permanent change of station (PCS) moves occur during the summer; and WHEREAS, only 40 percent of military family respondents tothe 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey indicated that they feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian community, which is essential to the well-being and readiness of military families; and
WHEREAS, we express our gratitude for the sacrifices made by service members, transitioning Veterans and their families by working to ensure that military and Veteran connected families experience a strong sense of belonging to their local civilian communities; and
WHEREAS, there are 20,671 Active-Duty Service members and the many Blue Star Family members residing in Alaska and we urge all Alaskans to welcome military and Veteran connected families into their communities.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim September 26 - October 4, 2026 as:
Blue Star Welcome Week
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to support and help our military families feel welcome in our communities and in our Great State, and to honor the sacrifices they have made.
Dated: September 26, 2026
***
Original text here: https://gov.alaska.gov/blue-star-welcome-week-2026/
Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm
ALBANY, New York, Sept. 26 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm
*
September 26, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New York consumers and businesses of price gouging during a storm expected to bring heavy wind and rain, as well as potential flooding, to New York this weekend. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in advance ... Show Full Article ALBANY, New York, Sept. 26 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm * September 26, 2026 NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New York consumers and businesses of price gouging during a storm expected to bring heavy wind and rain, as well as potential flooding, to New York this weekend. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in advanceof the storm. New York's price gouging law prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions or emergencies. Attorney General James is urging New Yorkers who see higher prices on essential goods and services to file complaints with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
"New Yorkers should never have to face unfair price hikes to stay safe during a storm," said Attorney General James. "With high winds, heavy rain, and potentially dangerous flooding expected in the Hudson Valley, New York City, and on Long Island, my office will be on the lookout for any unjust price increases. I encourage all New Yorkers to stay safe and report price gouging to my office."
New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during emergencies. The price gouging law covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.
When reporting price gouging to OAG, consumers should:
* Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices; and
* Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.
Price gouging violations can carry penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to OAG by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755.
***
Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-warns-new-yorkers-about-price-gouging-during-severe
(TNSmrp)
* * *
Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm
*
September 26, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New York consumers and businesses of price gouging during a storm expected to bring heavy wind and rain, as well as potential flooding, to New York this weekend. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in advance ... Show Full Article ALBANY, New York, Sept. 26 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm * September 26, 2026 NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New York consumers and businesses of price gouging during a storm expected to bring heavy wind and rain, as well as potential flooding, to New York this weekend. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in advanceof the storm. New York's price gouging law prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions or emergencies. Attorney General James is urging New Yorkers who see higher prices on essential goods and services to file complaints with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
"New Yorkers should never have to face unfair price hikes to stay safe during a storm," said Attorney General James. "With high winds, heavy rain, and potentially dangerous flooding expected in the Hudson Valley, New York City, and on Long Island, my office will be on the lookout for any unjust price increases. I encourage all New Yorkers to stay safe and report price gouging to my office."
New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during emergencies. The price gouging law covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.
When reporting price gouging to OAG, consumers should:
* Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices; and
* Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.
Price gouging violations can carry penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to OAG by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755.
***
Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-warns-new-yorkers-about-price-gouging-during-severe
(TNSmrp)