Attorney General
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West Virginia Joins Bipartisan Letter Urging Congress to Pass Combating Xylazine Act
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, April 1 -- The West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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West Virginia joins bipartisan letter urging Congress to pass Combating Xylazine Act
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 attorneys general today in a letter to Congressional leadership urging passage of the Combating Xylazine Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would classify the illicit use of xylazine (also known as "tranq") under Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act. It also would
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CHARLESTON, West Virginia, April 1 -- The West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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West Virginia joins bipartisan letter urging Congress to pass Combating Xylazine Act
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 attorneys general today in a letter to Congressional leadership urging passage of the Combating Xylazine Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would classify the illicit use of xylazine (also known as "tranq") under Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act. It also wouldauthorize the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to track the manufacturing of the drug and would require reporting to Congress on the prevalence of illegal xylazine use.
Xylazine is primarily used as a veterinary tranquilizer for large animals and is not approved for human use. The drug is frequently added to fentanyl, and the combination of these two drugs has resulted in increasing deaths and severe health complications. Since xylazine is not an opioid, it creates challenges in rescuing those who have overdosed because it reduces the efficacy of traditional opioid reversal agents such as naloxone.
The combination of xylazine and fentanyl or other opioids is more dangerous than anyone can imagine. Naloxone is less effective with this combination. Like opioids, xylazine also slows breathing and heart rate. It's incredibly important to get this drug reclassified so the DEA can use all resources to stop the proliferation of "tranq" and any drug like it," Attorney General McCuskey said. "West Virginia already treats xylazine as a controlled substance. Local officials stress that it's still a serious and growing problem--so much so that West Virginia has even been studied as an epicenter for the substance's use in medical studies. We cannot let another illicit drug take hold in the Mountain State."
The letter is led by the attorneys general of Arkansas, Connecticut, New York and Tennessee. West Virginia joined the letter along with the attorneys general of American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
Read the letter here (https://ago.wv.gov/media/37698/download?inline).
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INFODOC: https://ago.wv.gov/media/37698/download?inline
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Original text here: https://ago.wv.gov/article/west-virginia-joins-bipartisan-letter-urging-congress-pass-combating-xylazine-act
N.J. A.G. Davenport Sues EPA Over Plan to Allow Power Plants to Release More Toxic Mercury
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 1 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Davenport Sues EPA Over Plan to Allow Power Plants to Release More Toxic Mercury
Multistate Coalition Sues Trump Administration for Repealing Toxic Air Emissions Standards
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 18 states in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's repeal of the existing standards for the amount of mercury and other toxic pollutants that power plants are allowed to release into the environment,
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TRENTON, New Jersey, April 1 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Davenport Sues EPA Over Plan to Allow Power Plants to Release More Toxic Mercury
Multistate Coalition Sues Trump Administration for Repealing Toxic Air Emissions Standards
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 18 states in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's repeal of the existing standards for the amount of mercury and other toxic pollutants that power plants are allowed to release into the environment,thus placing public health--particularly for children--at risk.
"Every time you look, the Trump Administration is taking us backwards, and this time, the issue is about the amount of mercury and other toxics we allow into the air and our water," said Attorney General Davenport. "Ideological whims should never be allowed to overrule protecting the health of our children."
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that poses serious dangers to public health, especially for pregnant women and children. For example, a pregnant person's consumption of mercury exposes their child to mercury and can cause lifelong developmental harms and neurological disorders such as seizures, vision and hearing loss, or delayed development. Exposure to mercury also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune dysfunction in adults. Moreover, mercury pollution in lakes and rivers harms the local commercial and recreation fishing economies.
In a 2001 study, approximately 13% of pregnant women in New Jersey had unsafe levels of mercury in their system. Because of the seriousness of this problem, New Jersey was one of the first states to regulate mercury in water bodies and power plants.
Last month, the EPA revoked its most recent standards for mercury and other toxic pollutants from power plants including arsenic, lead, and formaldehyde, allowing for more of these dangerous emissions to be released into the air.
The states argue that the repeal is unlawful because the EPA has failed to provide a reasoned basis for it and failed to adequately consider developments in practices, processes, and control technologies. The attorneys general are asking the court to determine that the rule is unlawful and must be reversed.
Attorney General Davenport joined the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, along with Harris County, Texas, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who co-led the coalition.
View Petition for Review (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-0331_Petition-for-Review-MATS.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-sues-epa-over-plan-to-allow-power-plants-to-release-more-toxic-mercury/
N.H. A.G. Formella: Deal Reached With Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics to Connect Hundreds of Homes to Public Water, Address PFAS Concerns
CONCORD, New Hampshire, April 1 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Deal Reached with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics to Connect Hundreds of Homes to Public Water, Address PFAS Concerns
Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Robert Scott announce that the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the Town of Londonderry have reached an agreement with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation (Saint-Gobain) to work together to extend
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, April 1 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Deal Reached with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics to Connect Hundreds of Homes to Public Water, Address PFAS Concerns
Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Robert Scott announce that the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the Town of Londonderry have reached an agreement with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation (Saint-Gobain) to work together to extenda watermain up High Range Road in Londonderry from Royal Lane north to Alexander Road.
"This agreement is another important step in our efforts to hold Saint-Gobain accountable and assist Londonderry residents affected by PFAS contamination," said Attorney General Formella. "We remain steadfast in our efforts to protect access to clean water for all Granite Staters."
Under the agreement, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation will pay approximately $1.71 million toward the project, holding up its obligations under a 2018 consent decree addressing PFAS contamination in the community. Additionally, the Town of Londonderry's portion of the approximately $4.3 million in construction costs will be funded through the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, administered by the New Hamshire Department of Environmental services and the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund Advisory Commission.
Installation of this section of watermain will allow approximately 350 properties on the west side of High Range Road to be connected by Saint-Gobain to a community water system operated by Pennichuck Water Works. The watermain will also facilitate additional community water system connections by homeowners on the east side of High Range Road if necessary.
Residents who are not eligible for a safe drinking water alternative from Saint-Gobain and whose residential private drinking well water has PFAS concentrations above one or more of the New Hampshire or EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are encouraged to apply to receive reimbursement from the PFAS Removal Rebate Program for Private Wells up to $5,000 for the installation of a water treatment system design to remove PFAS or up to $10,000 for a service connection to a public water system.
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Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/deal-reached-saint-gobain-performance-plastics-connect-hundreds-homes-public-water
N.H. A.G. Formella, Bipartisan Coalition Urge Congress to Pass Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
CONCORD, New Hampshire, April 1 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Formella, Bipartisan Coalition Urge Congress to Pass Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
Attorney General John M. Formella announces that he, along with a bipartisan coalition of more than 40 state attorneys general, is urging congressional leaders to pass S. 545 / H.R. 1266, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, legislation aimed at addressing the growing threat of xylazine in the nation's illicit drug supply.
"Xylazine is making an already deadly
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, April 1 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Formella, Bipartisan Coalition Urge Congress to Pass Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
Attorney General John M. Formella announces that he, along with a bipartisan coalition of more than 40 state attorneys general, is urging congressional leaders to pass S. 545 / H.R. 1266, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, legislation aimed at addressing the growing threat of xylazine in the nation's illicit drug supply.
"Xylazine is making an already deadlydrug crisis even more dangerous," said Attorney General Formella. "This substance is increasingly being mixed with fentanyl and other illicit opioids, contributing to overdose deaths and complicating life-saving response efforts. Congress must act quickly to ensure law enforcement and public health officials have the tools they need to address this evolving threat."
In a letter to House and Senate leadership, Attorney General Formella and the coalition call for swift action to classify illicit xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance and provide law enforcement with additional tools to combat its spread. The coalition emphasizes that federal action is critical to better protect communities and reduce opioid overdose deaths.
The bipartisan legislation would classify the dangerous animal tranquilizer xylazine, often mixed with fentanyl and other opioids, as a federal controlled substance, enabling authorities to better track its manufacturing and distribution, prevent diversion into the illicit market, and improve data collection and reporting.
Xylazine, widely known by its street name "tranq," is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer used for large animals, including horses and deer, and is not approved for human use. Because it is not an opioid, it does not respond to overdose reversal agents such as naloxone, reducing the effectiveness of traditional overdose interventions and increasing its lethality when combined with opioids. Federal public health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have identified xylazine as an increasing factor in overdose fatalities.
Attorney General Formella and the coalition note that limited data and inconsistent testing make it difficult to fully understand and track the scope of xylazine's impact. By improving monitoring and reporting, the legislation would better equip law enforcement to respond to this emerging threat.
The legislation has received strong bipartisan support in Congress, including recent advancement by the Senate Judiciary Committee. In their letter, the attorneys general urge Congress to pass the bill without delay to help address the evolving opioid epidemic and save lives.
* combatting-illicit-xylazine_date-change.pdf (https://www.doj.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt721/files/inline-documents/sonh/combatting-illicit-xylazine_date-change.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/attorney-general-formella-bipartisan-coalition-urge-congress-pass-combating-illicit
Md. A.G. Brown Announces That No Charges Will Be Filed in the September 4, 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Cambridge
BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 1 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces that No Charges Will Be Filed in the September 4, 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Cambridge
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Thursday, September 4, 2025 fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland.
On September 4, 2025, at approximately 5:10 p.m., officers with the Cambridge Police Department ("CPD") responded to the Deep
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 1 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces that No Charges Will Be Filed in the September 4, 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Cambridge
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Thursday, September 4, 2025 fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland.
On September 4, 2025, at approximately 5:10 p.m., officers with the Cambridge Police Department ("CPD") responded to the DeepHarbour Estates in Cambridge, Maryland for several 911 calls with reports of a naked, suicidal man chasing multiple individuals with a knife. Upon arrival, officers encountered a man matching the description, later identified as Ryan Garcy, who was armed with a knife. One officer, later identified as Corporal Jacob Weber, instructed Garcy to drop the knife, but he did not comply. Garcy moved towards Corporal Weber and shouted at officers, urging them to shoot him. Corporal Weber ordered Garcy to stay back, but Garcy continued advancing. Corporal Weber and another responding officer deployed their Tasers, which proved ineffective. Garcy, still armed with a knife, then ran toward Corporal Weber. When Garcy came within a few feet, Corporal Weber discharged his service weapon, striking Garcy multiple times. Following the discharge, both Corporal Weber and Garcy fell to the ground. Officers immediately requested emergency medical services ("EMS") and began rendering aid until EMS arrived. Garcy was transported to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Corporal Weber sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal police-involved shooting on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and concluded its investigation on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officer in this case.
A copy of the IID's detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report (https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-that-No-Charges-Will-Be-Filed-in-the-September-4,-2025-Fatal-Police-Involved-Shooting-in-C.aspx).
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-that-No-Charges-Will-Be-Filed-in-the-September-4,-2025-Fatal-Police-Involved-Shooting-in-C.aspx
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congress to Pass Legislation to Protect Communities From Illicit Xylazine
PHOENIX, Arizona, April 1 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congress to Pass Legislation to Protect Communities from Illicit Xylazine
Attorney General Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The bipartisan legislation would classify the dangerous animal tranquilizer xylazine - which is often mixed with fentanyl and other opioids - as a federal controlled substance to better protect
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PHOENIX, Arizona, April 1 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congress to Pass Legislation to Protect Communities from Illicit Xylazine
Attorney General Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The bipartisan legislation would classify the dangerous animal tranquilizer xylazine - which is often mixed with fentanyl and other opioids - as a federal controlled substance to better protectcommunities and reduce opioid overdose deaths. In a letter to House and Senate leadership, Attorney General Mayes and the coalition explain the dangers of illicit xylazine, which is causing an increasing number of opioid overdose deaths, and argue that federally classifying xylazine as a controlled substance is essential to helping law enforcement stop the spread of the drug.
"Xylazine is making already dangerous street drugs even more harmful," said Attorney General Mayes. "I urge Congress to take action to protect Arizona communities from this substance."
Xylazine, widely known by its street name "tranq," is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer used for large animals, including horses and deer, and is not approved for any human use. Xylazine is not an opioid and therefore does not respond to the overdose reversal drug naloxone, greatly increasing its lethality when mixed with opioids. In recent years, xylazine has been mixed with illicit opioids, most commonly fentanyl.
Attorney General Mayes and the coalition argue that the lack of information on xylazine's development, distribution, and related deaths makes it difficult to track and stop the spread of the drug. The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would classify xylazine as a controlled substance, would allow the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to track the manufacturing of the drug, prevent diversion, and mandate public reporting. With more information on the development, distribution, and use of xylazine, law enforcement professionals would be better equipped to fight against this rising threat. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the legislation with strong bipartisan support. In their letter, the attorneys general urge Congress to immediately pass this legislation to help address the opioid epidemic and save lives.
The letter is led by the attorneys general of New York, Arkansas, Connecticut, and Tennessee. Joining the letter are the attorneys general of American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
A copy of the letter is available (https://mcusercontent.com/cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206/files/ee37ed79-d0ea-9041-fafc-7f6914bac99a/Combatting_Illicit_Xylazine_date_change.pdf).
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INFODOC: https://mcusercontent.com/cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206/files/ee37ed79-d0ea-9041-fafc-7f6914bac99a/Combatting_Illicit_Xylazine_date_change.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-joins-bipartisan-coalition-urging-congress-pass-legislation
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Challenges Massive Rate Hike for Robson Ranch Utility Customers
PHOENIX, Arizona, April 1 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Challenges Massive Rate Hike for Robson Ranch Utility Customers
Attorney General Kris Mayes yesterday filed an application for rehearing with the Arizona Corporation Commission, challenging a recent decision that approved dramatic water and sewer rate increases for residents of Robson Ranch, a retirement community south of Casa Grande.
The Commission voted 3-2 on March 4 to approve rate increases of nearly 23% for water service and a staggering 154%
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PHOENIX, Arizona, April 1 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on March 31, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Challenges Massive Rate Hike for Robson Ranch Utility Customers
Attorney General Kris Mayes yesterday filed an application for rehearing with the Arizona Corporation Commission, challenging a recent decision that approved dramatic water and sewer rate increases for residents of Robson Ranch, a retirement community south of Casa Grande.
The Commission voted 3-2 on March 4 to approve rate increases of nearly 23% for water service and a staggering 154%for sewer service -- increases that will hit every residential customer in the community. Attorney General Mayes argues the decision violates the Commission's constitutional duty to set rates that are just and reasonable for both customers and shareholders.
"The Arizona Corporation Commission exists to protect ratepayers from exactly this kind of rate shock," said Attorney General Kris Mayes. "Approving a 154% sewer rate increase and a nearly 23% water rate increase while Commission staff openly admitted they never considered the impact on customers is a failure of the Commission's constitutional duty."
The filing argues the Commission made two critical errors. First, Commission staff witnesses testified under oath that they gave no consideration to the impact of the increases on ratepayers. One witness even stated that "Staff doesn't set rates based on affordability." Second, the Commission refused to obtain or review documents from the November 2024 sale of the utilities to a private equity-backed investment company, depriving itself of information relevant to setting a fair rate of return.
The utilities' previous owner, the homebuilder that developed Robson Ranch, held rates artificially low for 27 years, possibly to attract homebuyers with low utilities. However, months after a private equity firm acquired the utilities in November 2024, rates skyrocketed. Residents who bought homes with affordable utility costs in mind now face bills that bear no resemblance to what they planned for.
"Robson Ranch residents have no alternative utility providers, they are captive customers of Picacho Water Company and Picacho Sewer Company, with no ability to shop for better rates or switch to a competitor," said Attorney General Mayes. "Arizona's founders enshrined the Corporation Commission in the state constitution specifically to protect consumers from exploitation by monopoly utilities. When the Commission fails to fulfill that role, my office will step in to protect Arizonans."
The filing asks the Commission to subpoena the purchase transaction documents and hold a full rehearing that weighs both customer impacts and shareholder interests as required by Arizona law.
A copy of the filing (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=eb28b7ff2a&e=9153ff6c96) is available.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-challenges-massive-rate-hike-robson-ranch-utility-customers
