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Washington joins federal lawsuit to protect residents' personal information
OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 3 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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Washington joins federal lawsuit to protect residents' personal information
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The federal government is seeking to illegally use the sensitive private information of tens of thousands of Washingtonians receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Washington and a multistate coalition have filed a new lawsuit to protect residents from this unlawful abuse of sensitive personal information.
TANF is one of the largest sources of direct assistance to low-income
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OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 3 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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Washington joins federal lawsuit to protect residents' personal information
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The federal government is seeking to illegally use the sensitive private information of tens of thousands of Washingtonians receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Washington and a multistate coalition have filed a new lawsuit to protect residents from this unlawful abuse of sensitive personal information.
TANF is one of the largest sources of direct assistance to low-incomefamilies and a cornerstone of Washington's poverty reduction work. Washington receives more than $300 million annually in federal TANF funding. In 2025, nearly 36,000 Washington households received assistance benefits.
In June 2026, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a notice claiming to dramatically expand its oversight of state TANF programs, including by allowing ACF to share detailed records on TANF recipients with other federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security.
The law enacting TANF specifically requires states, not the federal government, to be responsible for verifying TANF applicants' eligibility for benefits. Yet the Administration for Children and Families now claims the agency has broad authority to oversee states' TANF programs and share recipients' private data with other federal agencies to verify immigration status.
Under ACF's new policy, TANF recipients' Social Security numbers, addresses, immigration status, and other sensitive personal data would be illegally shared across the federal government. The coalition argues these changes violate the law and Constitution and are a blatant effort to politically target those who are lawfully receiving critical TANF benefits.
"Families in Washington who turn to TANF for help with basic needs depend on our state to keep their data private and secure," Attorney General Nick Brown said. "We've stood firm against this administration's illegal efforts to use personal data from our residents for unlawful purposes, and we will continue to defend Washingtonians' congressionally approved privacy protections."
Congress created TANF as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The law requires the federal government to provide block grants to states, territories, and tribal governments, which then use the funds for a variety of programs to help low-income families with children. TANF funds support childcare subsidies, emergency housing for families fleeing domestic violence, emergency food assistance, support for grandparents caring for children, and other critical services. TANF currently provides over $16 billion every year to all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and several territories and tribal governments for these programs.
Brown and the coalition argue that the federal government's new policy would cause significant harm to the vulnerable communities that rely on TANF funds. Allowing TANF recipients' private data to be illegally shared across the federal government would erode trust that states' TANF programs have built with immigrant communities and deter those legally qualified to receive benefits from seeking out assistance. This new policy could also lead to unlawful oversight requirements from the federal government-diverting resources that should be used on critical programs to help low-income families.
The coalition argues that the new policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution by ignoring restrictions on data sharing in TANF programs and enacting arbitrary new conditions on federal funding. The lawsuit seeks a court order declaring the policy illegal and preventing it from being implemented.
Joining Brown in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
Read the complaint.
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Washington's Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state's largest law firm, the Attorney General's Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington's 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Media Contact:
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Original text here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/washington-joins-federal-lawsuit-protect-residents-personal-information
Attorney General McCuskey leads coalition to keep a critical gas pipeline open
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Aug. 3 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey posted the following news release:
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Attorney General McCuskey leads coalition to keep a critical gas pipeline open
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West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of 18 states in an amicus brief filed in Enbridge Energy v. Gretchen Whitmer, to keep a critical gas pipeline open.
The Enbridge Line 5 pipeline starts and ends in Canada and carries more than 20 million gallons of light crude oil and natural gas liquids every day, fueling energy needs throughout the country. However, Michigan
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CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Aug. 3 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey posted the following news release:
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Attorney General McCuskey leads coalition to keep a critical gas pipeline open
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West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of 18 states in an amicus brief filed in Enbridge Energy v. Gretchen Whitmer, to keep a critical gas pipeline open.
The Enbridge Line 5 pipeline starts and ends in Canada and carries more than 20 million gallons of light crude oil and natural gas liquids every day, fueling energy needs throughout the country. However, Michiganis attempting to shut down the Line at an underwater crossing at the Straits of Mackinac. If Michigan were to succeed, it would drastically reduce the nation's energy supply and drive prices even higher.
The coalition is asking the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to affirm a district court ruling that rejected Michigan's attempt to close off the Line. The coalition argues that the federal Pipeline Safety Act gives the federal government authority over the issue, not individual states. The amicus brief also points out that Michigan's actions violate an international treaty with Canada concerning pipelines.
"Michigan cannot unilaterally shut down a pipeline that fuels homes, businesses, and industries far beyond its own borders. Congress placed pipeline safety squarely in federal hands for exactly this reason -so that one state cannot hold the nation's energy supply hostage," Attorney General McCuskey said.
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Utah joined West Virginia in the brief.
A copy of the brief is available here.
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Original text here: https://ago.wv.gov//article/attorney-general-mccuskey-leads-coalition-keep-critical-gas-pipeline-open
Attorney General James Secures More Than 280,000 Eggs for New York City Families
ALBANY, New York, Aug. 3 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Secures More Than 280,000 Eggs for New York City Families
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August 3, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the delivery of more than 280,000 eggs to City Harvest in Brooklyn as part of a bipartisan multistate settlement with Cal-Maine Foods (Cal-Maine), Versova/Centrum (Versova), and Hickman's Egg Ranch (Hickman's) for years of price fixing. A multistate investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) alongside
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ALBANY, New York, Aug. 3 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Secures More Than 280,000 Eggs for New York City Families
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August 3, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the delivery of more than 280,000 eggs to City Harvest in Brooklyn as part of a bipartisan multistate settlement with Cal-Maine Foods (Cal-Maine), Versova/Centrum (Versova), and Hickman's Egg Ranch (Hickman's) for years of price fixing. A multistate investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) alongsidethe U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and 16 other states revealed that Cal-Maine, Versova, and Hickman's illegally coordinated to influence a daily price index for eggs. This illegal collusion artificially increased prices for retailers and consumers throughout the country for years. Under a settlement with the states, the three egg producers will deliver 53 million eggs to food banks throughout the country, including 4,968,000 eggs to New York. In addition to the egg deliveries, the companies will pay $3.3 million and make changes to their practices to prevent future violations of the law. The delivery of 23,400 cartons of a dozen eggs to City Harvest is the first in a series of egg deliveries to food banks statewide.
"It is unacceptable that New Yorkers paid higher prices for eggs because these companies were working together behind the scenes to raise prices," said Attorney General James. "My office has zero tolerance for big corporations breaking the law to boost their profits at the expense of working families. We are delivering free eggs to those in need across the state because no New Yorker should get ripped off at the grocery store."
"We are so grateful to receive this delivery of eggs, which are among the most requested items by our food pantry partners and the New Yorkers we serve," said CEO of City Harvest Jilly Stephens. "This delivery will help more than 20,000 New Yorkers in need put food on the table at a time when nearly 50% of working-aged households in New York City are struggling to make ends meet."
280,000 eggs delivered to City Harvest that will be distributed throughout New York City
Attorney General James and the coalition's investigation found that beginning as early as 2022, these three egg producers secretly communicated with each other to coordinate their bidding activity and influence the daily egg price quotes published by Urner Barry, a benchmark pricing service widely used in egg supply contracts. The companies submitted bids at higher prices, which led to Urner Barry increasing its price quotes. By manipulating the Urner Barry benchmark, the companies artificially inflated the price of eggs paid by retailers and consumers across the nation.
As a result of settlements with OAG and the coalition of states, the three companies will deliver a total of 53 million eggs to food banks and nonprofit organizations across the participating states and pay a combined $3.3 million. Under a separate settlement with DOJ and the coalition of states, the companies will also adopt compliance measures to prevent future illegal coordination. New York will receive 4,968,000 eggs, all of which will be distributed through Feeding New York, the statewide network overseeing New York's food banks. The first truckload of 280,800 eggs was delivered to City Harvest, and deliveries statewide will continue through mid-October.
"Here in New York, we send price gougers scrambling -especially when they try to cheat the hard-working food banks and pantries that feed millions of families daily," said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "Thanks to Attorney General James' 'crack' down on egg price-gouging, fewer New Yorkers will go hungry, our food pantries can continue their essential work, and greed has once again been shown the door in our city."
"While New Yorkers struggled to feed their families in an affordability crisis, some in the industry were scheming to keep prices and profits high," said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. "I am grateful to Attorney General James for her work in securing this settlement, and now, for helping bring tangible relief to those most in need through our food pantries. The accountability delivered through this case - and the egg deliveries over the next several months - will help families put food on the table."
"New Yorkers are already facing an affordability crisis felt especially in their grocery bills, which is why artificially increasing the cost of a staple item like eggs is just plain cruel," said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. "Attorney General James has issued a warning with this settlement: anyone scheming to drain New Yorkers' wallets will be held accountable. I applaud her efforts in delivering unequivocal justice to those involved."
"No family should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying the bills because of illegal price fixing," said New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. "At a time when too many New Yorkers are struggling with the rising cost of groceries, these eggs will help put nutritious food on the tables of families across our city. I thank Attorney General James for holding these companies accountable and ensuring New Yorkers benefit directly from this settlement."
"No corporation should be allowed to profit at the expense of working families, especially when it comes to something as essential as putting food on the table," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "As the cost of living continues to strain household budgets, this investment will provide meaningful relief to families and further support the food banks and community partners that so many Bronx residents rely on. Thank you to Attorney General James and the multistate coalition for holding these companies accountable and ensuring that nutritious food reaches the communities that need it most."
"Eggs are a staple food for so many families, and as we tackle an affordability crisis, it is unconscionable that egg producers would coordinate to fix egg prices," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "Thanks to Attorney General James for fiercely fighting against this corruption and for delivering not just a settlement of cash but also a settlement of eggs for City Harvest."
"No family should have to pay more for a basic staple like eggs because of illegal price fixing," said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. "At a time when New Yorkers are already struggling with the high cost of living, corporate collusion that drives up grocery bills is especially egregious. I commend Attorney General James for holding these companies accountable and ensuring nearly five million eggs will help feed New Yorkers instead of boosting corporate profits. This settlement sends a clear message: if you rig the market and squeeze working families, New York will hold you accountable."
"With inflation on the rise, made worse by the federal government's reckless tariff policy and its launching of a pointless war overseas, working-class families here in Queens and across the country are feeling the squeeze, especially at the grocery store," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "The last thing we need is a confederation of greedy corporations conspiring to price gouge us on an item as important as a carton of eggs. Thank you to Attorney General James for her work in breaking up this illegal price fixing ring, holding these corporations accountable and ensuring New York families in need can bring home cartons of eggs through their local food bank without paying obscenely high prices."
"Protein-rich foods like eggs are among the most requested items by our neighbors experiencing food insecurity," said Feeding NYS Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper. "We are grateful for the opportunity to provide this high-quality source of nutrition to communities served by New York state's ten food banks, helping ensure families in every county have access to wholesome, nourishing food."
Joining Attorney General James and DOJ in securing this settlement were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
For New York, this matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Isabella Pitt and James Yoon, Senior Enforcement Counsel Michael D. Schwartz, and Legal Fellow Amanda McBain of the Antitrust Bureau, and with the assistance of Assistant Attorney General John P. Figura of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Elinor R. Hoffmann and Deputy Bureau Chief Amy McFarlane. The Antitrust Bureau is part of the Division of Economic Justice, overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General Christopher D'Angelo and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
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Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-secures-more-280000-eggs-new-york-city-families
Attorney General Clark Announces $358,000 Settlement in Principle With Generic Drug Maker Sandoz
MONTPELIER, Vermont, Aug. 3 -- Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark posted the following news release:
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Attorney General Clark Announces $358,000 Settlement in Principle With Generic Drug Maker Sandoz
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Attorney General Charity Clark today announced a nationwide $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz Inc. to resolve allegations that the generic drug manufacturer engaged in widespread, long-running conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement
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MONTPELIER, Vermont, Aug. 3 -- Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark posted the following news release:
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Attorney General Clark Announces $358,000 Settlement in Principle With Generic Drug Maker Sandoz
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Attorney General Charity Clark today announced a nationwide $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz Inc. to resolve allegations that the generic drug manufacturer engaged in widespread, long-running conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlementwas joined by 43 states and territories. As part of the settlement in principle, Sandoz has agreed to meaningful internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws. If approved, Vermont will receive $358,255.47 from the settlement.
"The affordability of prescription medications is a crisis in this country, and companies that illegally manipulate drug prices for profit must be held accountable," said Attorney General Clark. "I am proud of my team's work securing meaningful reforms to protect consumers from similar predatory price inflation in the future."
Today's settlement is contingent upon obtaining signatures from all necessary states and territories. If approved, Sandoz Inc. will pay approximately $469 million to settle the claims brought by state enforcers including amounts paid pursuant to previous settlement with other states. The settlement will also resolve allegations that Sandoz Inc.'s past and present international affiliates, Novartis AG, Sandoz AG, and Sandoz Group AG, participated in the alleged anticompetitive conduct and fraudulently transferred assets in order to avoid liability.
The States have also secured settlements in the same litigation with generic drug manufacturers Glenmark, Lannett, Bausch, Apotex and Heritage totaling approximately $96.5 million.
Attorney General Clark is joined in securing this settlement in principle by the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Contact: Haley Sommer, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171
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Original text here: https://ago.vermont.gov/blog/2026/08/03/attorney-general-clark-announces-358000-settlement-principle-generic-drug-maker-sandoz
Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Over Latest Attempt to Weaponize Personal Sensitive Data of Californians
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 3 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Over Latest Attempt to Weaponize Personal Sensitive Data of Californians
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Trump Administration is attempting to disclose troves of data about Californians receiving financial assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to DHS and other agencies
OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, co-leading a multistate coalition, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's latest attempt to weaponize sensitive
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SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 3 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Over Latest Attempt to Weaponize Personal Sensitive Data of Californians
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Trump Administration is attempting to disclose troves of data about Californians receiving financial assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to DHS and other agencies
OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, co-leading a multistate coalition, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's latest attempt to weaponize sensitivepersonal information about California families and children. Last month, the Trump Administration issued a Systems of Records Notice (SORN) relating to the administration of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides states with billions of dollars each year to keep families out of poverty. The SORN purports to dramatically broaden the federal government's role in overseeing TANF and authorize the wholesale sharing of TANF recipients' most sensitive personal information with any federal, state, or private entity it wishes, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In the lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition argue that the SORN violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the Computer Matching Act, and the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and that it should therefore be vacated.
"The Trump Administration is exploiting a program designed to ensure children do not go hungry and to help needy families get back on their feet in order to fuel its mass surveillance effort. It's cruel, unnecessary, and illegal," said Attorney General Bonta. "While the Trump Administration continues to break the law in order to amass an ever-greater trove of people's personal information, we'll continue stepping in to protect the privacy of our people. You have my word."
The TANF program provides states with over $16 billion in grants each year, serving as a crucial component of states' anti-poverty work and one of the largest sources of cash assistance to low-income American families, including 350,000 families in California each month. In designing the TANF program, Congress gave states substantial flexibility and autonomy, with the aim of eliminating the excessive bureaucracy and overbearing federal oversight that it believed had plagued prior child poverty programs.
Despite this, the Trump Administration's Administration of Children and Families (ACF) asserts that it may share years' worth of data it has collected -including the Social Security Numbers, marital status, income, and more of past and current TANF recipients -with DHS and other agencies. Nothing in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), which established TANF, or any other act supports ACF's extravagant claims or authority and gross breach of personal privacy.
In the lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition argue that the SORN:
* Is contrary to law and in excess of statutory authority in violation of the APA, particularly PRWORA, which strictly limits federal oversight over TANF.
* Is arbitrary and capricious in violation of the APA because ACF has given no reasoned explanation for its departure from longstanding agency practice. Furthermore, it is inherently arbitrary for the agency to share information to gain assistance with oversight activity that ACF cannot lawfully perform.
* Violates the Computer Matching Act, which requires an agency to enter into a computer matching agreement when sharing data with another agency. Here, no such agreement exists between ACF and DHS -or any other recipient agency to which ACF intends to disclose data.
* Violates the Spending Clause by effectively placing a condition on the receipt of TANF funds -a condition of which the states did not have "fair notice" when they accepted those funds.
Attorney General Bonta is committed to defending the personal, private data of Californians and pushing back against the President's attempt to create a mass surveillance database. Attorney General Bonta sued and secured a court order blocking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from providing DHS with unfettered access to individual personal health data. He also challenged and secured relief blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture's demand that states turn over personal and sensitive information about millions of SNAP recipients. And Attorney General Bonta recently opposed the Trump Administration's expansion of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to include the information of U.S.-born citizens who have never interacted with our immigration system and who never consented to the use of their personal data in this manner.
Attorney General Bonta leads this lawsuit with New York Attorney General Letitia James and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. They are joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-sues-trump-over-latest-attempt-weaponize-personal
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL'S LEGISLATION STRENGTHENING HIS OFFICE'S ABILITY TO DEFEND WORKPLACE RIGHTS IS SIGNED INTO LAW
CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 3 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL'S LEGISLATION STRENGTHENING HIS OFFICE'S ABILITY TO DEFEND WORKPLACE RIGHTS IS SIGNED INTO LAW
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Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today celebrated Governor JB Pritzker's signing his legislation to support efforts to combat workplace rights violations.
"The Workplace Rights Bureau in the Attorney General's office has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of Illinois workers. This new law will enhance our ability to investigate and prosecute potential violations
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CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 3 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL'S LEGISLATION STRENGTHENING HIS OFFICE'S ABILITY TO DEFEND WORKPLACE RIGHTS IS SIGNED INTO LAW
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Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today celebrated Governor JB Pritzker's signing his legislation to support efforts to combat workplace rights violations.
"The Workplace Rights Bureau in the Attorney General's office has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of Illinois workers. This new law will enhance our ability to investigate and prosecute potential violationsof the laws that protect working people around Illinois," Raoul said. "I appreciate Gov. Pritzker's leadership, as well as Sen. Aquino and Rep. Hoffman's work on this legislation in the General Assembly. I remain committed to fighting for workers' rights and the rights of everyone to earn the wages to which they are entitled."
Attorney General Raoul's Workplace Rights Bureau protects and advances the employment rights of all Illinois residents, particularly the state's most vulnerable residents and immigrant populations. The bureau investigates and litigates cases involving serious or persistent wage-law violations or other significant employment practices. Over the last year, the Attorney General's office has recovered more than $15 million for Illinois workers.
However, some bad actors exploit procedural gaps to evade accountability, stall investigations, and force the bureau into lengthy and expensive court battles to access basic records. Currently, the bureau lacks standard investigative tools, common to other agencies, that would assist in resolving investigations. The new law will help ensure that the Workplace Rights Bureau has the necessary tools to defend workers' rights and a level playing field for law-abiding businesses.
The law will:
* Clarify the jurisdiction of the Workplace Rights Bureau.
* Streamline the subpoena process to prevent stalling practices and expensive court battles.
* Grant the Workplace Rights Bureau the same investigative tools as the Illinois Department of Labor and the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor, including the ability to conduct confidential interviews at worksites.
* Create penalties for employers who intentionally destroy evidence or refuse to comply with the law.
Attorney General Raoul encourages workers who have concerns about an employer's potentially unlawful practices to call his Workplace Rights Hotline at 844-740-5076 or visit the office's website to file a complaint online.
House Bill 4725 was signed into law on Friday and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
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Original text here: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raouls-legislation-strengthening-his-offices-ability-to-defend-workplace-rights-is-signed-into-law
AG Nessel Challenges Trump Administration's Effort to Undermine Affordable Care Act
LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 3 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Challenges Trump Administration's Effort to Undermine Affordable Care Act
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LANSING -Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 21 states in filing a lawsuit (PDF) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to challenge a federal rule that once again illegally undermines the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and would make health insurance more expensive and harder to obtain for millions of Americans. The lawsuit seeks to block provisions
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LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 3 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Challenges Trump Administration's Effort to Undermine Affordable Care Act
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LANSING -Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 21 states in filing a lawsuit (PDF) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to challenge a federal rule that once again illegally undermines the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and would make health insurance more expensive and harder to obtain for millions of Americans. The lawsuit seeks to block provisionsof the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters, a federal rule that sets standards for health plans offered in 2027 and was opposed by the coalition in a March 2026 comment letter (PDF). Among other harmful changes, the rule expands eligibility for catastrophic health insurance plans that are ineligible for premium tax credits, offer only limited coverage, and can leave consumers facing significantly higher out-of-pocket costs than standard ACA plans. The rule also allows catastrophic plans to exceed ACA limits on maximum annual out-of-pocket costs, increasing the financial burden on consumers, and attempts to reinstate several provisions that a federal court recently found to be unlawful. The coalition argues these and other provisions unlawfully undermine the ACA's goal of expanding access to affordable healthcare by increasing costs, reducing enrollment, and shifting financial burdens onto consumers, states, and healthcare providers.
"Instead of making healthcare more affordable and accessible when families need it most, the federal government is stripping coverage from thousands of Michiganders and destabilizing our entire healthcare system," said Attorney General Nessel. "While the Trump administration has abandoned its duty to lower costs, I will not back down from defending the well-being of Michigan residents."
Congress enacted the ACA to expand access to affordable health insurance, and more than 23 million Americans currently receive coverage through its marketplaces. The lawsuit follows the coalition's challenge to the Trump administration's similar 2025 ACA Marketplace rule. Last week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts held a hearing on the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment in that case, with a final decision expected at a later date. In related litigation, a federal court recently vacated several provisions of the Administration's 2025 rule -including provisions at issue in this case -after finding that they violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The administration's new rule setting standards for 2027 health plans, which is the subject of this lawsuit, brings back many of the same provisions and adds new changes that further undermine the ACA. HHS estimates the new rule will cause two million people to lose coverage in 2027 alone and a total of five million by 2030.
In this lawsuit, the coalition argues that the new rule:
* Reimposes provisions that a federal court has already vacated -including additional income verification requirements and penalties for consumers who do not complete tax-credit paperwork -without addressing the Court's legal concerns.
* Unlawfully expands eligibility for catastrophic health plans beyond the limits established by Congress in the ACA.
* Unlawfully allows plans to exceed ACA limits on maximum annual out-of-pocket costs.
* Will increase costs, reduce enrollment, and shift financial burdens onto consumers, healthcare providers, and states.
* Was adopted without adequate explanation or a meaningful response to the coalition's comments, making it arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Attorney General Nessel was joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/08/03/ag-nessel-challenges-trump-administrations-effort-to-undermine-affordable-care-act
