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R.I. A.G. Neronha Charges Three Business Owners for Alleged Labor-Related Crimes
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Aug. 20 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Neronha charges three business owners for alleged labor-related crimes
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced that his Office has charged three business owners with alleged labor-related crimes, including wage theft, following complaints referred to the Office of the Attorney General by the Department of Labor and Training (DLT).
On August 20, 2026, Andrew Loffredo (age 28), owner of Premier Environmental Services, was charged in Providence
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Aug. 20 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Neronha charges three business owners for alleged labor-related crimes
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced that his Office has charged three business owners with alleged labor-related crimes, including wage theft, following complaints referred to the Office of the Attorney General by the Department of Labor and Training (DLT).
On August 20, 2026, Andrew Loffredo (age 28), owner of Premier Environmental Services, was charged in ProvidenceCounty Superior Court with one count of failing to pay wages to a former employee and one count of delivering a fraudulent check. On August 19, 2026, David Zayas (age 46), owner of Zayas Delivery Solutions LLC, was charged in Providence County Superior Court with one count of failing to establish a regular payday on which wages should be paid in full and one count of failing to comply with the payment of wages owed to a former employee upon separation from the payroll of an employer. Also on August 19, 2026, Carlos Amparo (age 37), owner of CAC Contract, was charged in Newport County Superior Court with one count of failing to secure workers' compensation insurance.
"Since the beginning of my administration, we have aggressively pursued companies who deny employees hard-earned wages or attempt to cheat the system," said Attorney General Neronha. "When employers cheat their employees out of wages and mandatory protections, they are not only harming those employees and their families, but also gaining an unfair advantage over businesses that are playing by the rules. That's why we have worked tirelessly with workers, local labor organizations, and the General Assembly to pass stricter laws to ensure that the punishments are commensurate with the crimes."
Andrew Loffredo (P2-2026-3110A)
As alleged in the criminal information, the defendant failed to provide approximately $7,349.42 in wages to a former employee who was terminated in July 2025 after issuing a check knowing that the account did not have sufficient funds for payment.
On May 21, 2026, a former employee of Premier Environmental Services, which specializes in researching environmental impacts for properties undergoing appraisals, alleged in an interview with investigators from the Office of the Attorney General that the defendant failed to pay the former employee's final paycheck when he was terminated from the company. The former employee claimed that after he received and deposited his last paycheck from the defendant for $7,349.42, the check was returned for insufficient funds. As further alleged, when the former employee asked the defendant about the insufficient funds and the missing salary, the defendant responded that the former employee "should have cashed it immediately." Investigators found that when the former employee's check bounced on September 15, 2025, the defendant's balance was $15.76 after withdrawing $8,000 from the same account. The defendant has since failed to pay the former employee his missing salary.
The defendant is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference in Providence County Superior Court on October 7, 2026.
David Zayas (P2-2026-3265A)
As alleged in the criminal information, the defendant failed to pay approximately $3,400 in wages to a former employee who was terminated on or about November 10, 2025.
On January 14, 2026, a former employee of Zayas Delivery Solutions LLC, an active interstate freight carrier based in Providence, alleged in a report to DLT that the defendant failed to pay the former employee's final paycheck when he was terminated from the company. As alleged, the former employee produced communications in which the defendant acknowledged the missing salary. The former employee also produced evidence that the defendant paid him through mobile payment apps, but later disputed and reversed these payments.
The defendant is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference in Providence County Superior Court on October 14, 2026.
Carlos Amparo (N2-2026-0191A)
As alleged in the criminal information, the defendant knowingly employed three workers without maintaining workers' compensation insurance on days and dates between January 3, 2026, and April 15, 2026.
As alleged, in April 2026, investigators in the DLT Workers' Compensation Fraud and Compliance Unit investigated a construction business working at the Viking Hotel in Newport. Investigators verified that no workers' compensation coverage had been reported for this work. The investigation revealed that this construction project had been subcontracted to the defendant's business, CAC Contract. As further alleged, investigators contacted the defendant, who claimed he possessed workers' compensation coverage and would forward the policy information. Investigators served a Stop Work Order to the business and advised that the order would be lifted when the defendant produced proof of coverage.
As alleged, after an unsuccessful attempt to contact the defendant, investigators learned that CAC Contract had stopped work, fled the site, and had not returned. After the defendant failed to produce proof of coverage, investigators informed him of the financial penalties for a period of work without insurance and sent the defendant a payment agreement. As alleged, the defendant acknowledged receipt of the agreement but produced no further response or payment. Without communication or payment from the defendant, investigators from DLT referred the case to the Office of the Attorney General.
The defendant is scheduled for arraignment in Newport County Superior Court on September 10, 2026.
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Original text here: https://riag.ri.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-neronha-charges-three-business-owners-alleged-labor-related-crimes
New Hampshire Receives $7.4 Million PFAS Payment From 3M for Public Water Systems; State Has Now Recovered More Than $43 Million
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Aug. 20 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release:
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New Hampshire Receives $7.4 Million PFAS Payment from 3M for Public Water Systems; State Has Now Recovered More Than $43 Million
Attorney General John M. Formella announces that New Hampshire has received a $7.278 million payment from 3M Company as part of a settlement resolving claims by public drinking water providers affected by PFAS contamination. The payment brings New Hampshire's total recovery from four PFAS-related settlements to more than $43 million, with additional
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, Aug. 20 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release:
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New Hampshire Receives $7.4 Million PFAS Payment from 3M for Public Water Systems; State Has Now Recovered More Than $43 Million
Attorney General John M. Formella announces that New Hampshire has received a $7.278 million payment from 3M Company as part of a settlement resolving claims by public drinking water providers affected by PFAS contamination. The payment brings New Hampshire's total recovery from four PFAS-related settlements to more than $43 million, with additionalpayments expected to continue through at least 2033.
"These settlement funds bring a critical stream of revenue to the State to assist our public water systems in addressing PFAS contamination in their water sources so Granite Staters have access to safe, clean drinking water," said Attorney General Formella. "But we have more work to do to hold the manufacturers of harmful PFAS compounds and AFFF accountable for the contamination of New Hampshire's waters, soils, and other natural resources. We will not stop fighting until these polluters pay their fair share to clean up the mess they created and protect the health of our citizens."
New Hampshire is receiving these settlement payments as a result of the State's ongoing litigation against the manufacturers of PFAS and aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF. The funds will be deposited into the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund pursuant to RSA 485-H:6 and distributed to eligible New Hampshire public water systems to help address PFAS contamination in their water sources. Through the efforts of the New Hampshire Department of Justice and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the State asserted claims on behalf of all eligible New Hampshire public water systems to maximize New Hampshire's share of the available settlement funds.
New Hampshire has participated in four national settlements addressing PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems involving 3M, DuPont, Tyco, and BASF. The settlements were previously approved by a federal judge overseeing multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. Four additional water provider settlements have recently been announced involving Amerex Corporation, Archroma U.S., Inc., Nation Ford Chemical Company, and Carrier Global Corporation. Those settlements remain subject to federal court approval before claims may be submitted.
The water provider settlements cover only one category of damages sought by New Hampshire. The State continues to pursue additional recovery for damages caused by the manufacture and sale of PFAS and AFFF, including contamination of New Hampshire's waters, soils, and other natural resources.
New Hampshire has been a leader in identifying and addressing the emerging threats posed by PFAS. The State was among the first in the nation to establish drinking water standards for PFAS and filed suit against PFAS manufacturers in 2019 on behalf of New Hampshire citizens, including all public water systems.
Information for public water systems regarding the PFAS settlement funds is available on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services website.
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Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/new-hampshire-receives-74-million-pfas-payment-3m-public-water-systems-state-has-now
Attorney General Tong Announces Second Agreement With Concierge/Beacon Management Over Ongoing Maintenance at Rocky Hill Complex
HARTFORD, Connecticut, Aug. 20 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Tong Announces Second Agreement With Concierge/Beacon Management Over Ongoing Maintenance at Rocky Hill Complex
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Press Releases
(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong today announced a second agreement with JRK Property Holdings regarding ongoing maintenance at The Beacon, the 544-unit Rocky Hill complex formerly known as Concierge Apartments. This agreement follows an initial agreement in February and resolves the state's investigation into the landlord's
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HARTFORD, Connecticut, Aug. 20 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Tong Announces Second Agreement With Concierge/Beacon Management Over Ongoing Maintenance at Rocky Hill Complex
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Press Releases
(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong today announced a second agreement with JRK Property Holdings regarding ongoing maintenance at The Beacon, the 544-unit Rocky Hill complex formerly known as Concierge Apartments. This agreement follows an initial agreement in February and resolves the state's investigation into the landlord'smanagement and unsafe conditions at the complex.
The first agreement, announced on February 26, offered up to $5.1 million in financial relief for tenants, including cash payments, free rent, utility waivers, rent freezes and options to break leases. All but three eligible tenants have opted in to the first agreement.
Rocky Hill leaders and residents continue to report maintenance concerns at The Beacon, including leaks, sewer back-ups, and elevator issues.
Today's agreement requires JRK to obtain a neutral, third-party inspector, subject to the approval of the Office of the Attorney General. The inspector will be responsible for conducting quarterly inspections of the property, and for developing a remediation plan. The remediation plan will address any needed improvements to mechanical systems, plumbing systems, heating and insulation, and other health and safety concerns, such as compliance with health and safety codes, maintenance of elevators, remediation of mold and asbestos as needed, maintenance of necessary trash removal, maintenance of HVAC systems to prevent humidity and mold, and ensuring that building locks are working properly. The remediation plan will be available to the Town.
The agreement also includes a series of measures to ensure adequate communication with residents and the Town, including continuation of an online portal for residents to submit work orders, continued provision of adequate staff to respond to resident calls and emails, continuation of a telephone and email hotline, email or text updates to residents regarding issues of broad impact, including water leaks, elevator malfunctions, or hot water outages, quarterly meetings between senior management and the Town, quarterly meetings between senior management and tenants, as well as a regularly distributed newsletter to residents.
Residents with questions or concerns regarding the agreement may contact JRK at 860-955-3465 or conciergehotline@twocoastliving.com.
"In February, we announced an unprecedented financial settlement to direct millions of dollars in relief to tenants who suffered exceptional disruption to their lives and damage to their property. This failure should never have happened, and I am concerned that there appear to be ongoing, potentially serious maintenance problems. Today we are announcing a second settlement to impose aggressive accountability measures and communication standards to help ensure safe, reliable housing that tenants paid for and were promised," said Attorney General Tong.
Attorney General Tong, State Rep. Kerry Wood and State Sen. Matthew Lesser first wrote attorneys for Concierge on February 4, in response to serious health and safety concerns at the property, including frozen and burst pipes resulting in loss of hot water and extensive property damage resulting in evacuation orders. Hundreds of Concierge residents were placed in hotels, some far from their community, their jobs and schools. Attorney General Tong subsequently launched an investigation into Concierge Apartments management on February 9, sending a civil investigative demand under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act seeking detailed records and answers regarding tenant complaints, work orders, inspection reports, leases, relocation efforts, and documentation regarding repairs Concierge had told the Office of the Attorney General it was undertaking to replace pipes, insulate the building, and replace damaged sheetrock, among other demands.
"I want to thank Attorney General Tong and his office for their continued diligence on behalf of our residents. JRK's ongoing maintenance issues have real consequences for the families who live there and for the Town as a whole, and this agreement is a meaningful step toward the safe, well-managed housing our neighbors deserve," said Allan Smith, Mayor of Rocky Hill.
"I am grateful for the work of Attorney General Tong and his office on behalf of the residents of the Concierge Apartments in collaboration with the town leadership and legislative delegation. I am hopeful that today's historic agreement will result in materially improved living conditions for the residents. After years of disinvestment, a third party inspector will ensure that needed upgrades to the facility are implemented. For years, Connecticut renters have been paying more and getting less. I am hopeful that in this one large complex, we can reverse that trend. And of course if conditions do not improve, I will be happy to work once more with residents to secure the protections that they so clearly need," said State Senator Matthew Lesser.
Assistant Attorney General Allison Frisbee and Deputy Associate Attorney General Michael Wertheimer, Chief of the Consumer Protection Section, are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.
Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
Facebook: CT Attorney General
#Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
#Consumer Inquiries:
860-808-5318
attorney.general@ct.gov
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Original text here: https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2026-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-announces-second-agreement-with-concierge
Attorney General Ken Paxton Investigates Avocado Oil Products for Deceptive Marketing and Potential Use of Undisclosed Seed Oils
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 20 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Ken Paxton Investigates Avocado Oil Products for Deceptive Marketing and Potential Use of Undisclosed Seed Oils
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Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an industry-wide investigation into companies that market and sell products that are labeled as "made with avocado oil." This follows reports that these products may contain undisclosed seed oils or other ingredients that are not identified on their ingredient labels.
A 2026 UC Davis study tested various products that were labeled
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AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 20 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Ken Paxton Investigates Avocado Oil Products for Deceptive Marketing and Potential Use of Undisclosed Seed Oils
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Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an industry-wide investigation into companies that market and sell products that are labeled as "made with avocado oil." This follows reports that these products may contain undisclosed seed oils or other ingredients that are not identified on their ingredient labels.
A 2026 UC Davis study tested various products that were labeledas using avocado oil as the sole oil ingredient. The study overwhelmingly found that 93% of chip samples, 71% of mayonnaise samples, and 100% of dressing samples tested contained seed oils despite failure to disclose them in the products' ingredient lists or elsewhere on the packaging.
Avocado oil has become increasingly popular in kitchens and food products nationwide as consumers seek healthier options and alternatives to seed oils. Companies often market products such as chips, condiments, and dressings as being "made with avocado oil," leading consumers to pay a premium with the expectation that they are purchasing products made with the ingredients advertised on the label. Recent findings, however, raise concerns that some products may contain undisclosed oils that consumers specifically sought to avoid.
"Consumers should not have to worry if they are being deceived by labels when trying to choose healthier options at the grocery store," said Attorney General Paxton. "I will not allow companies to fraudulently mislabel products. My office will hold accountable any company that violates the law and misleads Texans about what is actually in their food."
As part of the investigation, Civil Investigative Demands ("CIDs") have been issued to Primal Kitchen, Siete Foods, Chosen Foods with more to follow. The Office of the Attorney General will investigate to determine if these and additional companies have broken Texas law by misleading consumers in violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act ("DTPA").
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Original text here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-investigates-avocado-oil-products-deceptive-marketing-and-potential-use
Attorney General James Announces Takedown of Western New York Drug Trafficking Ring
ALBANY, New York, Aug. 20 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Announces Takedown of Western New York Drug Trafficking Ring
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August 20, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the takedown of a major drug trafficking ring that distributed large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin across Western New York and Puerto Rico. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General's (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) recovered more than 10 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately
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ALBANY, New York, Aug. 20 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Announces Takedown of Western New York Drug Trafficking Ring
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August 20, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the takedown of a major drug trafficking ring that distributed large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin across Western New York and Puerto Rico. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General's (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) recovered more than 10 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately$500,000 and about 250 grams of fentanyl and heroin worth an estimated $12,500. The investigation found that the narcotics were allegedly shipped from Puerto Rico to Western New York, where defendants distributed the drugs to resellers who sold them across the region. 17 individuals were charged with 117 crimes for their roles in the drug trafficking operation, which was active in Erie, Monroe, Niagara, and Onondaga Counties, as well as Puerto Rico.
"My office continues to dismantle dangerous drug trafficking rings across our state, taking deadly amounts of fentanyl and other drugs off our streets," said Attorney General James. "Today's takedown should remind all New Yorkers that we will stop at nothing to protect our communities from life-threatening drugs. I thank my partners in law enforcement for their continued work to keep New Yorkers safe."
The OAG's investigation began in September 2024 and originally focused on narcotics trafficking on the lower west side of Buffalo. The investigation revealed that Oscar Romero, Victor Quinones, Hector Oquendo, and Raymond Pizarro Rivera were supplying cocaine to resellers in Western New York. Sources from Puerto Rico allegedly mailed the defendants the narcotics in custom boxes that each contained two-kilogram bricks and were shipped to various addresses in the region. The defendants would then process the narcotics for resale and sell to resellers and users across Western New York. Resellers were contacted via audio and text messages to coordinate meeting locations, which included a barbershop in Cheektowaga and local restaurants in Buffalo. In messages with resellers, the defendants used codewords to describe the drugs including, "soft" for powder cocaine and "F" to describe fentanyl.
11 individuals from across Western New York were charged for their roles as resellers in the drug trafficking operation. These defendants would pick up the shipments from the agreed pick-up locations and prepare the narcotics for resale. Preparations often included repacking a kilogram brick of cocaine into smaller packages of various weights. Those charged for their roles as resellers include Erik Arias, Richard Calderon, Jesus Oliveras Feliciano, Shirley Lopez, Edwin Maldonado, J.A. Cesari McDougall, Arami Morales, Wilfredo Morales, Edward Parmer, Luis Pumarejo, and Justino Santos.
Approximately eight kilograms of cocaine were seized from packages mailed to various locations in Western New York. Three packages mailed from Puerto Rico that contained six kilograms of cocaine were seized by the United States Postal Inspectors in Onondaga County, and two kilograms were seized at a traffic stop in Erie County. In addition to those eight kilograms, two additional kilograms of cocaine were seized from a second traffic stop in Erie County, and approximately 250 grams of fentanyl and heroin were seized as part of the investigation.
Bags of cocaine seized in the investigation.
The investigation was led by OCTF in partnership with the New York State Police (NYSP), as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including NYSP Troop A Violent Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET), NYSP Special Investigations Unit Buffalo (SIU), the United States Postal Inspectors (USPI), U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Erie County Crime Analysis Center (ECAC), and the U.S. Marshals. The year-long investigation included covert surveillance and hundreds of hours of wiretaps of more than two dozen target phones, aimed at rooting out fentanyl and cocaine dealers operating in Western New York and Puerto Rico.
"Due to crucial interagency coordination, we have ended a highly organized international drug trafficking operation and have removed numerous criminals from our streets," said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. "These rings are often sophisticated, and it takes tenacious investigators, and intuitive and meticulous police work to identify, investigate, and not only disrupt them - but dismantle them. We will continue to work with the Attorney General's Office and our partners in law enforcement to intercept those who circumvent the law at the expense of our communities."
"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners will continue to dedicate the resources necessary to combat illicit drugs in the mail," said Justin Page, Acting Inspector-in-Charge for the Boston Division. "The arrest of these individuals demonstrates our commitment to keeping these and other highly addictive drugs from destroying lives."
The 117-count indictment unsealed today in Erie County Court charges the defendants with crimes for their involvement in the narcotics trafficking operation, including various counts of Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (class A, B, C, D felonies) as well as Conspiracy in the Second Degree (a class B felony). The following individuals were charged in today's indictment:
* Erik Arias, 33, of Buffalo, NY;
* Richard Calderon Cruz AKA Richard Calderon, AKA Richard Cruz, 41, of Cheektowaga, NY;
* Jesus Oliveras Feliciano AKA Jesus Oliveras Felician, 37, of Buffalo, NY;
* Luis Galarza, Jr., 40, of Buffalo, NY;
* Shirley Lopez, 49, of Buffalo, NY;
* Edwin Maldonado, 59, of Lackawanna, NY;
* A. Cesari McDougall, 54, of Buffalo, NY;
* Arami Morales, 30, of Rochester, NY;
* Wilfredo Morales, 64, of Buffalo, NY;
* Angel Oquendo AKA Angel Alejandro Oquendo AKA Angel Alejandrooquendo, 48, of Puerto Rico;
* Hector Oquendo AKA Hector Alejandro Oquendo AKA Hector Alejandrooquendo, 56, of Buffalo, NY;
* Edward Parmer, 48, of Niagara Falls, NY;
* Luis Pumarejo, 44, of Buffalo, NY;
* Victor Quinones, 50, of Buffalo, NY;
* Raymond Pizarro Rivera, 28, last known address is in Buffalo, NY;
* Oscar Romero, 46, of Buffalo, NY; and
* Justino Santos, 40, of Buffalo, NY.
Victor Quinones and Luis Galarza, Jr.'s distribution operation resulted in, among other charges, the charge of Operating as a Major Trafficker, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Today's takedown is the latest in the Attorney General's SURGE Initiative (Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic) to root out violent drug trafficking. Since launching in 2017, SURGE has taken 1,052 alleged traffickers off the streets.
The investigation was directed by Troop A VGNET and SIU Buffalo, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, OCTF Detective Thomas Fournier, and former OCTF Detective Paul Randall, under the supervision of OCTF Supervising Detective Ever Quinones with the assistance of the U.S. Army National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, all under the supervision of former OCTF Assistant Chief John Monte, Assistant Chief Ismael Hernandez, and Deputy Chief Andrew Boss. Special assistance was provided by OAG's Special Operations Unit, which is a part of the Investigations Bureau. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.
The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Wendy Whiting, with the assistance of Administrative Assistant Vera Marek and Legal Support Analyst Jason Nau, under the supervision of OCTF Upstate Deputy Bureau Chief Maria Moran. Nicole Keary is the Deputy Attorney General in Charge of OCTF. Both OCTF and the Investigations Bureau are part of the Division for Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux.
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Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-announces-takedown-western-new-york-drug-trafficking-ring
Ark. A.G. Griffin, 34 Co-Signers Issue Letter to Congressional Leadership
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, Aug. 20 (TNSletter) -- Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, with 34 co-signers issued the following letter to Congressional leadership:
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Here is the text of the letter:
August 4, 2026
The Honorable Mike Johnson
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
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The Honorable John Thune
Majority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515
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The Honorable Tom Cole
House Committee on Appropriations
U.S. Capitol Building, H-307
Washington, D.C. 20515
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The Honorable Susan Collins
Senate Committee on Appropriations
U.S. Capitol Building, S-128
Washington,
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LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, Aug. 20 (TNSletter) -- Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, with 34 co-signers issued the following letter to Congressional leadership:
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Here is the text of the letter:
August 4, 2026
The Honorable Mike Johnson
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
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The Honorable John Thune
Majority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515
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The Honorable Tom Cole
House Committee on Appropriations
U.S. Capitol Building, H-307
Washington, D.C. 20515
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The Honorable Susan Collins
Senate Committee on Appropriations
U.S. Capitol Building, S-128
Washington,D.C. 20510
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RE: Redefinition of "Hemp" under the November 2025 Appropriations Bill
Dear Speaker Johnson, Leader Thune, Chairman Cole and Chairwoman Collins,
We, the undersigned Attorneys General and chief legal officers of our respective states, thank Congress for standing strong in November 2025 and closing the loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill that led to the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products throughout the country. Your action protected consumers, provided much-needed regulatory clarity, and preserved legitimate industrial, agricultural, and nonintoxicating hemp markets.
We respectfully urge Congress to continue that leadership by rejecting any effort to delay, repeal, suspend, or weaken the November 2025 redefinition of "hemp" and by ensuring that the redefinition takes effect as enacted and remains in place thereafter.
Since enactment of the redefinition, States, federal agencies, businesses, and consumers have adjusted to a more consistent and responsible regulatory framework. Many States have aligned, or are in the process of aligning, their laws, regulations, and enforcement efforts with the new federal definition in reliance on Congress's action.
If the loophole is reopened or the new definition is weakened or repealed, States will face renewed litigation, inconsistent enforcement, regulatory uncertainty, increased youth access to intoxicating products, and disruption of lawful businesses that have already adjusted their operations to comply with the new federal framework. Equally as concerning, change at this stage would allow the return of unregulated intoxicating cannabis products that Congress appropriately chose to address.
For these reasons, we urge Congress to maintain the November 2025 redefinition of "hemp" and reject any effort to reopen the loophole that Congress acted decisively to close.
When Congress revised the "hemp" definition in November 2025, through the Appropriations Bill, Pub. L. 119-37, it capped total natural psychoactive cannabinoid content (including THC and THCA) at 0.4 milligrams per container. That definition now limits the total THC content of hemp to 0.3% on a dry weight basis and excludes "loophole" products.1 Where the 2018 definition focused on a single isomer (delta-9 THC, just one of the intoxicating chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant), the new definition accounts for all isomers of THC and other similar psychoactive cannabinoids to ensure that underregulated intoxicating hemp products can no longer reach consumer shelves.
The 2018 definition was misunderstood by market operators and consumers to legalize essentially any downstream hemp products (i.e., any containing hemp "derivatives, extracts, [or] cannabinoids") so long as the original plant and the final product contained less than 0.3% THC by weight. For reference, an 8-ounce package of hemp-derived gummy edibles could contain a total of more than 675 mg of THC while remaining under the 0.3% limit. The old definition also failed to explicitly impose any limits on other THC isomers like delta-8 and delta-10 THC.2 The new definition closes that loophole and ensures that hemp-derived products cannot contain levels of intoxicating cannabinoids unnatural to hemp plants.
Even States that have continuously banned the sale of intoxicating hemp products saw a proliferation in the sale of these products following the 2018 Farm Bill's passage, with legal challenges to the enforcement of State law. And in the years since the 2018 Farm Bill's passage, many States have tightened their hemp regulations to limit or ban intoxicating hemp products. States have done so, in large part, to protect their citizens' health and safety. During this time, some States have explicitly tethered their States' "hemp" definitions to the federal definition as a precautionary measure to ensure their laws continue to track federal law.3 Others have moved more recently-in the wake of the redefinition-to conform their state laws to the federal "hemp" definition, relying on the presumption that the new definition will go into effect in November of this year and remain in effect.
Many, if not most, States have already imposed greater limits than are supported by the new federal definition like (1) accounting for all THC isomers in their hemp definitions and excluding cannabis that contains a combined total amount of THC that is greater than 0.3% and (2) strict limitations on hemp products containing intoxicating cannabinoids. Other states, like Delaware, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio,4 and North Carolina have already seen legislative movement in the last seven months seeking to better align their States' definition of "hemp" with the new federal definition in various ways or otherwise assert greater control over the hemp market. Numerous States and federal agencies have also aligned their enforcement posture with the new federal hemp definition over the last seven months.5
Broadly, these actions point to a state-level response to requests by citizens, businesses, and lawmakers to implement common-sense regulations on the largely uncontrolled hemp product market. The new federal definition ensures both uniformity and safety throughout the nation. If the redefinition is not maintained, it will almost guarantee that these state efforts at regulation will be thrown into chaos.
Again, redefining hemp will not inhibit the cultivation of hemp for use in the industrial or agricultural sectors (among others), since hemp plants naturally contain low levels of intoxicating cannabinoids. The redefinition restores the 2018 Farm Bill's original goal of allowing the cultivation of hemp crops for uses within American industry-separate from the cultivation or processing of marijuana.
We again thank you for your commitment to American farmers, businesses, and the American people. Thank you for your work passing the 2025 Appropriations Bill, which will ensure a safe, orderly, well-regulated hemp market. We now ask that you continue your work to ensure that the American people and American businesses have access to safe, nonintoxicating hemp products.
Sincerely,
Tim Griffin, Arkansas Attorney General
William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General
Todd Rokita, Indiana Attorney General
Raul Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General
Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General
Rob Bonta, California Attorney General
Kathy Jennings, Delaware Attorney General
Anne E. Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General
Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General
Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General
Kris Kobach, Kansas Attorney General
Liz Murrill, Louisiana Attorney General
Aaron Frey, Maine Attorney General
Anthony G. Brown, Maryland Attorney General
Lynn Fitch, Mississippi Attorney General
Catherine Hanaway, Missouri Attorney General
Mike Hilgers, Nebraska Attorney General
Aaron D. Ford, Nevada Attorney General
John Formella, New Hampshire Attorney General
Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey Attorney General
Letitia A. James, New York Attorney General
Drew Wrigley, North Dakota Attorney General
Andy Wilson, Ohio Attorney General
Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General
Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania Attorney General
Peter F. Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General
Alan Wilson, South Carolina Attorney General
Marty Jackley, South Dakota Attorney General
Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee Attorney General
Gordon C. Rhea, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General
Derek Brown, Utah Attorney General
Charity R. Clark, Vermont Attorney General
Jay Jones, Virginia Attorney General
John B. McCuskey, West Virginia Attorney General
Keith Kautz, Wyoming Attorney General
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Original text and footnotes here: https://media.ark.org/ag/FINAL-Letter-to-Congress-Hemp-2026.pdf
News Release here: https://arkansasag.gov/news-release/attorney-general-griffin-leads-letter-with-34-ags-urging-congress-to-preserve-federal-hemp-reforms-and-prevent-the-return-of-intoxicating-hemp-products/
AG Labrador Appeals Ruling That Would Let Doctors Override Idaho's Pro-Life Law
BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 20 -- Idaho Attorney General Raul R. Labrador issued the following news release:
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AG Labrador Appeals Ruling That Would Let Doctors Override Idaho's Pro-Life Law
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BOISE, ID -Four years ago, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court made clear that the U.S. Constitution says nothing about abortion and returned the thorny issue of how to regulate abortion back to the states, where it had rested until the Roe decision transferred that authority to the Courts. Following Dobbs, Idaho chose to protect the lives of unborn children in Idaho, while
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BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 20 -- Idaho Attorney General Raul R. Labrador issued the following news release:
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AG Labrador Appeals Ruling That Would Let Doctors Override Idaho's Pro-Life Law
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BOISE, ID -Four years ago, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court made clear that the U.S. Constitution says nothing about abortion and returned the thorny issue of how to regulate abortion back to the states, where it had rested until the Roe decision transferred that authority to the Courts. Following Dobbs, Idaho chose to protect the lives of unborn children in Idaho, whilestill allowing mothers to receive care when their own lives are at risk.
Last week, a federal district judge defied the U.S. Supreme Court and invented a new constitutional right to abortion based on a risk to health or threats of suicide. Attorney General Raul Labrador has now filed a notice of appeal asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the ruling, and also filed an emergency motion asking the district court to stay its own injunction to allow Idaho's Defense of Life Act to be enforced while the appeal proceeds.
The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by Dr. Stacy Seyb, a St. Luke's physician who testified at trial that he never read the Idaho Supreme Court's 2023 decision clarifying the state's abortion law, had never received any training on the Defense of Life Act, and did not understand what the law allowed. That confusion led Seyb to fly a patient to Utah for care he could have, and should have, legally provided in Idaho. Unrebutted expert testimony at trial confirmed the delay increased her risk of complications. She arrived in Utah septic.
"A federal judge has replaced Idaho's law with his own abortion standard, broad enough to treat even the ordinary risks of a C-section as justification for an abortion," said Attorney General Labrador. "He did so at the request of a doctor who admitted under oath he never bothered to learn what Idaho law permits, yet sent expectant mothers out of state when he could have cared for them here immediately. Dobbs made clear that abortion policy belongs to the people and their elected state representatives, not the judiciary. We have appealed to the Ninth Circuit, and we will fight until this ruling is reversed and Idaho's law is restored."
Idaho's law already allows doctors, exercising their good faith medical judgment, to perform an abortion to save a mother's life, without waiting until death is imminent, and without needing to be certain that the mother would die without the abortion. The Idaho Supreme Court settled that standard in 2023. Since Dobbs, Idaho's pregnancy-related mortality rate has fallen from 18.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018 to 4.29 in 2024, well below the national average.
Labrador's emergency motion to stay the district court's decision while the appeal is pending argues the district court's ruling conflicts directly with Dobbs and improperly blocks Idaho from enforcing its law against every doctor in the state, not just Seyb. The Supreme Court's 2025 ruling in Trump v. CASA held that federal courts lack authority to issue universal injunctions that go beyond the plaintiffs in the case.
Photos of Attorney General to be used can be found here
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Original text here: https://www.ag.idaho.gov/newsroom/ag-labrador-appeals-ruling-that-would-let-doctors-override-idahos-pro-life-law/
