Featured Stories
Utah Sues Hims & Hers for Charging Consumers Without Consent and Sharing Private Health Data
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 30 -- The Utah Attorney General Office issued the following news on July 29, 2026:
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Utah sues Hims & Hers for charging consumers without consent and sharing private health data
The Utah Department of Commerce's Division of Consumer Protection and the Office of the Utah Attorney General have joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the State of California in a federal lawsuit against telehealth company Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (Hims). The complaint, filed July 29 in the Northern District of California, alleges Hims violated the Utah Consumer Sales Practices
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 30 -- The Utah Attorney General Office issued the following news on July 29, 2026:
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Utah sues Hims & Hers for charging consumers without consent and sharing private health data
The Utah Department of Commerce's Division of Consumer Protection and the Office of the Utah Attorney General have joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the State of California in a federal lawsuit against telehealth company Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (Hims). The complaint, filed July 29 in the Northern District of California, alleges Hims violated the Utah Consumer Sales PracticesAct by improperly charging consumers for subscriptions they never authorized and improperly sharing their private health data with advertisers without consent.
The complaint alleges that Hims promoted a "free consult" that ultimately enrolled customers in recurring prescription subscriptions based solely on an online intake form, without proper consent or prior consultation with a healthcare provider.
The complaint alleges that when consumers attempted to cancel their subscriptions, Hims forced them through a convoluted process that obscured the cancellation option, funneling them through multiple survey screens and making it difficult to exit the service.
In addition to these alleged practices, Hims is accused of breaching its promises concerning privacy. The company assured consumers that their health information would remain "private and secure," yet the complaint alleges it shared sensitive data with third-party advertisers, including Meta and Snap.
"Hims promised a free consult and private healthcare. What Utahns actually got was a subscription trap and their most personal health data shipped to advertisers. We're not letting Hims profit off broken promises. That's why we're taking them to court," said Attorney General Derek Brown.
Margaret Woolley Busse, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Commerce, emphasized the need for accountability, saying, "Our aim is to restore trust and protect consumers from deceptive practices. Hims' actions not only violate the law but also undermine Utahns' confidence in healthcare providers. We are committed to ensuring that consumers feel safe and respected in their transactions."
With the FTC and California, Utah's legal action seeks not only a permanent injunction against Hims but also restitution for affected consumers, civil penalties, and the disgorgement of profits obtained through these unlawful practices. Affected consumers are encouraged to file complaints at consumerprotection.utah.gov.
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Original text here: https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/utah-sues-hims-hers/
Okla. Attorney General's Multi-County Grand Jury Indicts Three on Human Trafficking Charges
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, July 30 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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Attorney General's Multi-County Grand Jury indicts three on human trafficking charges
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Multi-County Grand Jury has indicted three individuals on human trafficking charges stemming from separate Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) investigations involving two victims.
Amario Clay, 31, is charged with one count of Human Trafficking for Commercial Sex and one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, July 30 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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Attorney General's Multi-County Grand Jury indicts three on human trafficking charges
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Multi-County Grand Jury has indicted three individuals on human trafficking charges stemming from separate Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) investigations involving two victims.
Amario Clay, 31, is charged with one count of Human Trafficking for Commercial Sex and one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
Michael Davis, 39, and Maria Fernanda Contreras Rosales, 27, each are charged with one count of Human Trafficking for Commercial Sex.
"Human traffickers exploit vulnerable individuals for profit, treating people as commodities rather than human beings," Drummond said. "I commend the Oklahoma City Police Department and its investigators for rescuing these victims and building strong cases against those responsible. My office will continue aggressively prosecuting anyone who profits from the exploitation of others."
The charges against Clay stem from an investigation by the OCPD Vice Unit. Investigators found the victim at an Oklahoma City hotel while Clay waited in a vehicle outside the hotel. Officers seized approximately $4,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from commercial sex activity, along with a Glock 9mm handgun. According to investigators, cellphone messages showed Clay allegedly arranged commercial sex encounters, set prices and meeting times, and instructed the victim on how to carry out the encounters. The victim was offered services following the recovery operation.
The charges against Davis and Rosales stem from an investigation after OCPD officers responded to a "trouble unknown" call on June 28. Officers found the victim outside a residence with no shoes and wearing little clothing. The victim was connected with services and continues to receive support.
According to investigators, Davis and Rosales forced the victim to engage in commercial sex for approximately one week, transporting her throughout Oklahoma City and into Texas to meet buyers. Investigators allege the pair communicated with buyers, arranged the encounters, determined the services to be performed and set the prices. Rosales allegedly drove the victim to the encounters while the victim was required to surrender all proceeds to Davis.
All three individuals are in custody. Every person arrested or charged is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.
Read the Indictment of Amario Clay (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/july/Amario%20Clay%20Indictment.pdf)
Read the Indictment of Michael Davis and Maria Fernanda Contreras Rosales (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/july/Davis%20and%20Rosales%20Indictment.pdf)
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/july/attorney-general-s-multi-county-grand-jury-indicts-three-on-human-trafficking-charges.html
New Mexico Department of Justice Files Formal Comments Opposing Proposal to Eliminate Chaco Canyon 10-Mile Protective Buffer
SANTA FE, New Mexico, July 30 -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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The New Mexico Department of Justice Files Formal Comments Opposing Proposal to Eliminate Chaco Canyon 10-Mile Protective Buffer
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez today announced that the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) has submitted formal comments opposing the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's proposal to rescind the 10-mile protective buffer surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
In comments submitted to the Bureau of Land Management,
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SANTA FE, New Mexico, July 30 -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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The New Mexico Department of Justice Files Formal Comments Opposing Proposal to Eliminate Chaco Canyon 10-Mile Protective Buffer
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez today announced that the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) has submitted formal comments opposing the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's proposal to rescind the 10-mile protective buffer surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
In comments submitted to the Bureau of Land Management,the NMDOJ argues that the proposal is both legally deficient and deeply flawed, threatening one of New Mexico's most significant cultural landscapes while disregarding federal law, Tribal consultation requirements, and meaningful public participation.
"Chaco Canyon is one of New Mexico's greatest cultural and historical treasures," said Attorney General Raul Torrez. "The federal government cannot dismantle longstanding protections through a rushed process that sidelines Tribal Nations, ignores the public, and fails to honestly assess the consequences. We will continue to defend New Mexico's cultural heritage and ensure that federal agencies follow the law."
The NMDOJ's comments identify several significant concerns with the proposal, including:
* The Bureau of Land Management's decision to provide only a 7-day scoping period and a 14-day public comment period--far shorter than the extensive public process used to establish the buffer.
* The failure to conduct meaningful consultation with Tribal Nations despite the area's profound cultural and religious significance.
* An inadequate environmental assessment that fails to justify reversing the agency's prior findings or fully evaluate the impacts of expanded energy development.
* The agency's failure to consider New Mexico's substantial interests in protecting cultural resources, environmental quality, archaeological sites, tourism, and adjacent state trust lands.
The NMDOJ notes that when the buffer was originally established, BLM conducted more than a year of public review, held multiple public meetings, and engaged in extensive Tribal consultation before concluding that the protections were necessary to preserve the greater Chaco landscape.
The comments further argue that the proposed rescission would undermine decades of careful planning and bipartisan efforts to balance responsible energy development with preservation of one of the world's most significant archaeological and cultural landscapes. The document also highlights that New Mexico has already implemented its own policies to protect the region, including a 20-year moratorium on new oil and gas and mineral leasing on nearby state trust lands.
The New Mexico Department of Justice urges the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw the proposal and maintain the existing 10-mile protective buffer. At a minimum, the NMDOJ calls on the agency to extend the public comment period, hold public meetings, conduct meaningful Tribal consultation, and prepare a legally sufficient environmental review before taking further action.
Comments submitted to the Bureau of Land Management (https://nmdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/NMDOJ-Comment-DOI-BLM-NM-F010-2026-0002-EA.pdf)
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Original text here: https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/the-new-mexico-department-of-justice-files-formal-comments-opposing-proposal-to-eliminate-chaco-canyon-10-mile-protective-buffer/
N.M. A.G. Torrez Pushes Federal Government to Strengthen Know Your Customer Rules in Effort to Combat Illegal Robocalls
SANTA FE, New Mexico, July 30 -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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Attorney General Raul Torrez Pushes Federal Government to Strengthen Know Your Customer Rules in Effort to Combat Illegal Robocalls
Albuquerque, NM - Attorney General Raul Torrez, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general, is pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls. KYC rules require phone companies
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SANTA FE, New Mexico, July 30 -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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Attorney General Raul Torrez Pushes Federal Government to Strengthen Know Your Customer Rules in Effort to Combat Illegal Robocalls
Albuquerque, NM - Attorney General Raul Torrez, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general, is pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls. KYC rules require phone companiesto know who is making calls through their networks and what kinds of business these customers are conducting. With that information, phone companies can suspend or terminate callers who use their networks to make unlawful calls, or decline to do business with customers that are not legitimate companies (or cannot prove that they conduct lawful business).
"Illegal robocalls are more than just an annoyance, they are one of the most common tools criminals use to steal from hardworking families, target seniors, and undermine trust in our communications systems," said Attorney General Raul Torrez. "Strengthening Know Your Customer requirements will make it harder for scammers to hide behind anonymous phone networks and easier for providers to stop fraudulent calls before they reach New Mexicans. We are urging the FCC to adopt stronger safeguards that hold bad actors accountable and better protect consumers from increasingly sophisticated scams."
"My office will continue to put pressure on these entities to reduce the frequency of these calls and prevent New Mexicans from being subjected to the harm these robocallers cause."
Illegal robocalls start with an originating voice service provider allowing bad actors to use their network. If scammers can't get their calls onto the U.S. communications network, they can't make illegal robocalls. So, these originating voice service providers are key to stopping these calls from reaching people.
Even though providers are already required to know who their customers are, the attorneys general assert that current requirements aren't strong enough--as evidenced by the prevalence of robocall scams. Last year, Americans received more than 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams.
In addition to what the FCC is currently doing, the coalition is urging the commission to:
* Require providers to understand their customers' business. In addition to verifying a customer's identity and existence, originating providers should also be required to examine and understand the customer's business practices, reputation, history, intended use of services, and their compliance with state and federal laws.
* Hold all originating providers to KYC standards. Even small originating service providers should be required to meet enhanced KYC standards. Scammers use originating providers, regardless of size, to access the communications network. In fact, illegal calls are often facilitated by smaller voice service providers. Not holding small providers to the same standards could cause them to be even more attractive to bad actors looking to use them to make illegal robocalls.
* Require originating providers to collect additional information on high-risk customers. While KYC requirements should be universal, the attorneys general support additional, long-term monitoring of customers who are more likely to make illegal robocalls, such as those subscribing to high volume services.
Attorney General Torrez, as part of a coalition of 49 attorneys general, also sent reply comments earlier this month to the FCC encouraging the commission to crack down on illegal robocalls by strengthening rules that would cut off scammers' access to legitimate phone numbers. Attorney General Torrez has been actively involved in this issue, including his participation in the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force.
The two letters are part of Phase Two of Operation Robocall Roundup, an effort by the Task Force, to crack down on robocalls across the country. Phase One launched in August 2025 with warning letters sent to 37 smaller voice providers that were allowing suspected illegal robocalls onto the U.S. telephone network. Phase Two launched in December and expanded the crackdown to four of the largest intermediate voice services providers in the country.
Attorney General Torrez is joined in this letter by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Reply Comments Document (https://nmdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/Reply-Comments-of-50-State-AGs-re-FCCs-2026-KYC-FNPRM-July-2026.pdf)
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Original text here: https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/attorney-general-raul-torrez-pushes-federal-government-to-strengthen-know-your-customer-rules-in-effort-to-combat-illegal-robocalls/
N.J. A.G. Davenport, Labor Department Reach Major Settlement With Trucking Company in Worker Misclassification Lawsuit
TRENTON, New Jersey, July 30 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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AG Davenport, Labor Department Reach Major Settlement with Trucking Company in Worker Misclassification Lawsuit
Drivers to Receive $2.2 Million Total in Back Wages
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and Kevin D. Jarvis, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), reached a settlement with STG Logistics, Inc., STG Drayage, LLC, and other subsidiaries resolving allegations that the shipping and logistics companies
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TRENTON, New Jersey, July 30 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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AG Davenport, Labor Department Reach Major Settlement with Trucking Company in Worker Misclassification Lawsuit
Drivers to Receive $2.2 Million Total in Back Wages
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and Kevin D. Jarvis, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), reached a settlement with STG Logistics, Inc., STG Drayage, LLC, and other subsidiaries resolving allegations that the shipping and logistics companiesmisclassified hundreds of truck drivers as independent contractors in violation of multiple New Jersey labor laws.
This settlement resolves the first lawsuit filed under New Jersey's 2021 law that permits the State to file suit in New Jersey Superior Court against employers who have misclassified workers as independent contractors.
Under the settlement agreement, truck drivers and the State will receive at least $2,775,000--despite STG having filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, which resulted in many debts being canceled. The settlement amount is considered "priority" under both the bankruptcy code and the settlement agreement, ensuring workers are compensated ahead of other creditors.
"This was our first-ever Superior Court misclassification case, and we saw it through to the end--surviving a company sale, a bankruptcy, and years of litigation," said Acting Labor Commissioner Kevin D. Jarvis. "The message is clear: New Jersey will use every tool at our disposal to protect workers, and we'll fight until the job is done."
"Corporate wrongdoers cannot pad their profits by cutting corners and exploiting the workers who keep their businesses running," said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. "This settlement will ensure that hundreds of workers will finally receive money they are rightfully owed and should have been paid right from the start of their tenure as employees. We are proud to stand with the Department of Labor in holding STG accountable for its unlawful conduct."
Of the total settlement:
* $2,220,000 will go directly to hundreds of truck drivers, primarily for STG's violations of wage and hour laws.
* $555,000 will go to the State of New Jersey, split between Wage & Hour penalties and contributions to the Unemployment Compensation and State Disability Benefits Funds.
Additionally, if STG violates the agreement, NJDOL will receive an additional $7,500,000 in penalties owed to the State.
The settlement also requires STG to comply with all applicable labor laws going forward and to provide information to NJDOL to ensure ongoing compliance.
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Background
NJDOL began investigating STG's predecessor, XPO Logistics, in 2019, focusing on their facility located at 283 Wilson Avenue in Newark. STG Logistics purchased XPO's New Jersey intermodal business in 2022 and assumed liability for the seller's past employment practices. The State filed suit against STG in Superior Court on December 11, 2023.
Through its investigation, NJDOL found that STG violated the rights of hundreds of truck drivers by treating employee truck drivers as independent contractors. This misclassification deprived workers of rights and benefits afforded to employees, including minimum wage, overtime, workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, temporary disability benefits, earned sick leave, job-protected family leave, and equal pay protections.
NJDOL's investigation revealed that STG:
* Failed to pay wages due to employees and at times failed to pay the minimum wage;
* Deducted, diverted, and withheld millions of dollars from drivers' pay for fuel, tolls, parking, liability insurance, fees, and truck maintenance and repairs in violation of the Wage Payment Law--deductions that were sometimes greater than a driver's entire gross pay, resulting in negative net pay during some pay periods;
* Failed to maintain records of hours worked and wages paid;
* Failed to make available and pay earned sick leave in violation of the Earned Sick Leave Law;
* Failed to carry sufficient workers' compensation insurance under the Workers' Compensation Law; and
* Failed to make required contributions to the State Unemployment Compensation Fund and the State Disability Benefits Fund.
The companies classified workers as independent contractors despite exercising significant control over drivers and their work, including by:
* Requiring that the company's name appear on drivers' trucks;
* Requiring drivers to lease their trucks to the company for its exclusive possession, control, and use;
* Prohibiting drivers from using the trucks for other work without written consent;
* Requiring drivers to sign non-negotiable "independent contractor agreements";
* Requiring installation of electronic GPS tracking devices in drivers' trucks; and
* Assigning all routes, tightly monitoring deliveries, and setting rates of pay.
Under New Jersey's "ABC" test, workers are presumed to be employees unless a company can prove the individual is largely free from the company's control, performs work outside the company's usual business or outside its places of business, and has their own independent business. STG failed to meet any of these requirements.
NJDOL was represented in this matter by the Office of the Attorney General's Division of Law, including Deputy Attorneys General Jeffrey Olshansky, Nadya Comas, Marc D. Peralta, and former Deputy Olivia Mendes under the supervision of former Labor Enforcement Section Chief Eve E. Weissman, Assistant Attorney General Mayur P. Saxena, and Deputy Director Sara M. Gregory.
To see the settlement agreement, click here (https://nj.gov/labor/assets/PDFs/Press/2026/STG%20-%20NJDOL%20Settlement%20Agreement%20%5bExecuted%5d%20%5bAs%20Filed%5d_Redacted.pdf).
To see the original complaint, click here (https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases23/2023-1211_STG_Complaint_Filed.pdf).
Misclassified workers are not at fault and can find information about their rights and protections here: myworkrights.nj.gov
Businesses can learn about legal requirements and services provided to them at: nj.gov/labor.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-labor-department-reach-major-settlement-with-trucking-company-in-worker-misclassification-lawsuit/
Del. A.G. Jennings Obtains Court Order Protecting Delaware Consumers Against Pest Control Company
DOVER, Delaware, July 30 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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AG Jennings obtains court order protecting Delaware consumers against pest control company
Attorney General Kathy Jennings, through her Consumer Protection Unit, has obtained a settlement with door-to-door pest control company Aptive Environmental, LLC ("Aptive"). The AG has filed the settlement in the Court of Chancery, requesting an order awarding the state $600,000 for Aptive's multiple violations of Delaware's consumer protection laws and directing that Aptive undertake
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DOVER, Delaware, July 30 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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AG Jennings obtains court order protecting Delaware consumers against pest control company
Attorney General Kathy Jennings, through her Consumer Protection Unit, has obtained a settlement with door-to-door pest control company Aptive Environmental, LLC ("Aptive"). The AG has filed the settlement in the Court of Chancery, requesting an order awarding the state $600,000 for Aptive's multiple violations of Delaware's consumer protection laws and directing that Aptive undertakespecific actions to ensure that no violations of law will occur in the future.
"Aptive's history of misleading customers with their sales practices and locking them into unwanted terms is equal parts shameful and unlawful," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "That behavior is exactly the type of lawlessness that the Consumer Protection Unit was created to stop, and it's what we intend to do here."
For several years, and particularly during the summer months, Aptive has solicited Delaware homes with high pressure sales pitches, misrepresented the contents of their consumer contracts, and failed to disclose certain key provisions, including the imposition of a contract termination fee. Consumers were required to sign a contract copy appearing only on an iPad and often given no opportunity to review the contents, instead relying on a commissioned salesperson's misrepresentations. Aptive is alleged to have committed multiple violations of three Delaware statutes: the Consumer Fraud Act, the Deceptive Practices Act, and the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
Consumers should be aware that the Delaware Home Solicitation Sales Act requires every Delaware citizen be free of, and protected from, high-pressure door-to-door sales tactics. Among other requirements, salespeople are required to prominently display an identification card obtained from the Department of Finance and are restricted to solicit between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm. Consumers must be furnished a complete copy of any contract as well as a notice of their right to cancel the contract within 3 business days.
Delaware consumers are also reminded to carefully review any contract before signing and obtain a full understanding of services to be provided and price. Obtaining quotes from competing providers can be a wise decision. Unscrupulous door-to-door commissioned salespeople may aggressively mislead consumers who are caught unprepared. Beware of salespeople who ask you to agree to a fee to cancel or terminate the contract - this fee is designed to keep you in a contract that you don't want or to punish you for exiting it. It is always appropriate to tell a door-to-door salesperson that you are not interested and simply close the door.
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Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/07/29/ag-jennings-obtains-court-order-protecting-delaware-consumers-against-pest-control-company/
Del. A.G. Jennings Files Lawsuit Challenging Unlawful Conditions on Federal Counterterrorism Funding
DOVER, Delaware, July 30 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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AG Jennings files lawsuit challenging unlawful conditions on federal counterterrorism funding
Attorney General Kathy Jennings today announced that she has joined a coalition of 26 states to stop the Trump administration's continued efforts to use federal funds--specifically, billions of dollars in federal counterterrorism and other funds--to coerce states into complying with the administration's political and policy priorities.
AG Jennings' and the coalition's lawsuit
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DOVER, Delaware, July 30 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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AG Jennings files lawsuit challenging unlawful conditions on federal counterterrorism funding
Attorney General Kathy Jennings today announced that she has joined a coalition of 26 states to stop the Trump administration's continued efforts to use federal funds--specifically, billions of dollars in federal counterterrorism and other funds--to coerce states into complying with the administration's political and policy priorities.
AG Jennings' and the coalition's lawsuitchallenges decisions by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to impose unlawful conditions on billions of dollars in federal funds that Congress appropriated for states to use in preparing for and responding to emergencies and natural disasters, including acts of terrorism. The conditions challenged in the lawsuit would require the states to change the way they conduct elections, including by transmitting lists of all registered voters to DHS, and to assist DHS in enforcing federal immigration law. They would also permit DHS to terminate any federal grant at any time and for any reason.
"This Administration is operating under the delusion that if they break the law enough, if they lie enough, and if they attack our state enough, they'll wear us down and get us to stop fighting back," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "Let me be unequivocal here: that is not going to happen. We've beaten them on this twice before, and we'll beat them again."
AG Jennings joined two similar and successful lawsuits in 2025, each in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, challenging DHS's efforts to condition billions in federal emergency funding on states' agreement to enforce federal immigration law and DHS's subsequent attempt to unlawfully reallocate federal homeland security funding away from jurisdictions it viewed as insufficiently supportive of the President's political agenda.
Now, DHS and FEMA have established grant conditions for 2026 funding that again attempt to coerce the states into complying with the administration's policy priorities. The conditions in total affect billions of dollars in funding, including over a billion dollars in Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funding that states use to support security measures and protect residents from terrorism, cyberattacks and more. Delaware receives over $7M in HSGP funding each year for state and municipal efforts to prevent, prepare for and respond to acts of terrorism.
Delaware's State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) receives $4.3M annually to support 11 different disciplines in Delaware to build and sustain capabilities to respond to terrorism events or catastrophic incidents. This includes funding for the state-designated fusion center Delaware Information and Analysis Center (DIAC), training for law enforcement, fire service, and cyber security detection. Additionally, Delaware's Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG) receives $3.1M annually to support Emergency Management Programs at the state, county and local level. These monies are the foundation for personnel funding and building sustainment in the programs, funding the core group of staff that enact the Delaware Emergency Operations Plan and staff the Emergency Operations Center during activations.
DHS and FEMA have again threatened to impose the same immigration conditions that they attempted to impose in 2025 on all federal grant programs. The conditions would require states to devote scarce law-enforcement resources to assisting DHS in enforcing federal immigration law. These conditions were found to be unlawful and were enjoined by a district judge last year.
In addition, DHS and FEMA threaten to withhold 20% of each state's counterterrorism funding if states do not change state election law to conform to the administration's policy goals. The attorneys general assert that these requirements would force states to abandon years of work and millions of dollars of investments in their elections systems, all to obtain unrelated funding that Congress earmarked for the prevention of terrorist attacks.
Specifically, the challenged funding conditions would require states to transition to paper-ballot systems, conduct a mandatory 5% manual audit of voting systems, reconcile voters and ballots using a methodology DHS has not disclosed, and use DHS's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to verify the citizenship of every election worker and every registered voter in state's voter databases. If states do not comply, DHS and FEMA will withhold at least 20% of each state's HSGP funding.
Finally, the challenged funding conditions unlawfully claim effectively unfettered power to terminate these grants on a whim. The agencies are attempting to add a condition that would allow FEMA to terminate any grant program for any reason. This constant threat of termination undermines the stability that these critical programs rely on to be effective. Indeed, a federal court recently rejected the Trump administration's attempts to interpret an existing regulation to have that effect.
The attorneys general argue in their lawsuit that the grant conditions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution's Spending Clause.
Joining Attorney General Jennings in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, 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://news.delaware.gov/2026/07/29/ag-jennings-files-lawsuit-challenging-unlawful-conditions-on-federal-counterterrorism-funding/
