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WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN
RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release:
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WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN
Takes action to protect consumers in consequential merger proposal, fights federal overreach, and invests in communities
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RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to advocate for ratepayers in front of the SCC, delivers on his promise to fight back against federal overreach, and invests in communities across the Commonwealth.
Protecting Consumers
Attorney General Jones ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release: * * * WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN Takes action to protect consumers in consequential merger proposal, fights federal overreach, and invests in communities - RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to advocate for ratepayers in front of the SCC, delivers on his promise to fight back against federal overreach, and invests in communities across the Commonwealth. Protecting Consumers Attorney General Jonestold the SCC that the 180-day review period for the Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal should be reset, following the companies' substantial modifications to the original proposal. The Virginia Code charges the Office of the Attorney General with the responsibility to represent ratepayers in front of the State Corporation Commission as they consider cases that impact the interests of consumers, including this merger.
Virginia Mercury and NBC12 and Cardinal News: 'A different deal on the table': AG Jay Jones asks SCC to reset the clock on Dominion-NextEra merger
Attorney General Jay Jones told state regulators Friday that they should reset the 180-day review time period for the $67 billion Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal, after the companies unveiled expanded conditions of the deal last week.
On Sept. 14, Dominion and NextEra jointly filed supplemental documents to the State Corporation Commission outlining new additions to the proposal, including extending residential customers' bill credits to four years instead of two.
The companies also pitched five-year job protections for Virginia staff working on the project, instead of 18 months, and a promise of a new office tower in downtown Richmond.
In the filing, NextEra CEO John Ketchum said several stakeholder hearings since the original filing of the case on July 15 prompted the changes that could make the deal more attractive.
"The Supplemental Merger Commitments... address the comments we have heard and propose to provide greater immediate customer benefits, headcount commitments, meaningful economic development initiatives..." Ketchum stated in the supplemental filing on Sept. 14.
Jones filed testimony on Sept. 18 arguing that the changes are significant enough that they should be considered an amendment to the initial proposal and that the 180-day countdown clock should be reset to start with the Sept. 14 filing.
He stated that the 180-day limit for the SCC to consider the case should be reset to the date of the supplemental filing to allow proper time for intervenors to review the new details, allow for the public to be engaged, and for any additional interested parties to file as intervenors in the case.
"The Joint Petitioners have put a different deal on the table," Jones' testimony read.
Because the companies' supplemental filing was submitted the first business day after the deadline to file as an intervenor in the case, Jones said, it "raises serious notice concerns."
"Case participants cannot simply take the Joint Petitioners at their word that these new proposals are unqualified benefits that will accrue to Virginia ratepayers and citizens," Jones said in his filing.
A proposal of this magnitude, Jones said, and the new conditions "prompt meaningful questions that must be asked through the discovery process to build a full evidentiary record about these commitments' impacts" to the public at just and reasonable rates.
As it currently stands, the SCC must make their final decision on the merger by Jan. 11, which would mark 180 days after the filing date of the initial proposal.
If regulators approve Jones' request to restart the 180-day merger review period from Sept. 14, the case would be ongoing during the regular General Assembly session, which begins in January.
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If the SCC sides with Jones, a final decision on the merger case could be expected in March.
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Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia AG seeks more review of $67B NextEra-Dominion merger
Promises of more bill credits in NextEra Energy's proposed takeover of Dominion Energy mean the State Corporation Commission should take more time to consider the deal, Attorney General Jay Jones said.
Earlier this month, NextEra said it would offer residential bill credits for four years, instead of two, bring 600 new jobs to Virginia and direct $100 million of stockholder funds to Dominion's Energy Share assistance program for Virginians struggling with energy bills.
With that, NextEra and Dominion "have put a different deal on the table," Jones said in a filing with the SCC.
State law gives the commission up to 180 days to consider utility mergers, and the clock started ticking when NextEra and Dominion formally asked the SCC to approve the $67 billion merger in July.
The deal can't go ahead unless the SCC approves, but if it doesn't act by what's currently a mid-January deadline, state law says the merger can go through.
"The proposals filed under the guise of 'supplemental testimony' amount to an entirely new proposal," Jones said.
If the SCC agrees that additional bill credits and other measures should be considered in its review, that would present significant procedural concerns because of the 180-day deadline, Jones said.
He noted that NextEra and Dominion decided to file the supplemental testimony on the first business day after the SCC's deadline for interested parties to formally intervene in the case.
That raises serious concerns about whether that gave interested parties sufficient notice, Jones said.
"Case participants cannot simply take (NextEra and Dominion) at their word that these new proposals are unqualified benefits that will accrue to Virginia ratepayers and citizens," Jones said.
"As with any proposal, especially one of this magnitude, these newly proposed commitments prompt meaningful questions that must be asked through the discovery process to build a full evidentiary record about these commitments' impacts to 'adequate service to the public at just and reasonable rates,'" Jones said, citing the language the SCC must consider when deciding whether to approve or reject a utility merger.
"Simply put, the filing of 'significant expansions' to the (NextEra and Dominion) proposal in this extremely important case just over a month before the filing deadline for intervenor testimony does not ensure intervenors have adequate time to analyze, conduct discovery on, and compile testimony regarding these 'significant expansions,'" Jones said, quoting the term the two firms themselves used to describe the changes.
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WTVR: Virginia AG says Dominion-NextEra 'put a different deal on the table,' seeks merger review reset
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is asking the State Corporation Commission to restart the clock on the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra, saying new commitments filed by the companies amount to an amendment of the original merger proposal -- not a simple supplement to existing testimony.
"The Joint Petitioners have put a different deal on the table," Jones said in the Sept. 18 SCC filing.
On Sept. 14, Dominion Energy and NextEra announced new promises, including doubling bill credits, creating 1,000 new jobs, building a new office tower for NextEra employees, and maintaining current Virginia employee headcount levels for five years.
Jones said those new commitments require more time for review.
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Fighting Federal Overreach
Attorney General Jones demanded that the federal government initiate an investigation into reports that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated Virginia's laws as part of new DHS program, following a recent whistleblower report. Also this week, Attorney General Jones and a coalition stopped Donald Trump's SNAP penalties and stood in opposition to a proposed federal law that could put federal funding for Medicaid at risk and interfere with state oversight.
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PBS: DHS may have violated state election law, Virginia's AG says after whistleblower report
Virginia's attorney general said Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated several state laws after a whistleblower accused its employees of misrepresenting themselves on voter lookup tools to hunt for noncitizen voters.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Attorney General Jay Jones demanded that DHS confirm in writing whether it had directed anyone to access Virginia voters' information without first obtaining permission from those voters.
"Virginia Election Code does not permit disclosure of this protected information to the federal government without a court order," he wrote in the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The state explicitly limits its voter lookup tools to individuals who attest under penalty of law that they are looking up their own records.
The AP has asked DHS for comment on the letter.
Jones also asked Mullin to preserve all related records, including access logs, correspondence and training materials mentioned in the whistleblower report.
The anonymous report, published Monday by Democratic Senate leaders, includes transcripts of a DHS training for a group of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staffers, who it says were forced in late August to drop other work, complete a less than two-hour training and begin running DHS-provided lists of people through state voter registration systems to find "unlawful voters."
The whistleblower contends that agents have been asked to review 40 individuals per day, giving them about 12 minutes to determine whether each person is a legal voter and create federal records of anyone who is not.
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The Virginian Pilot: Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter rolls, whistleblower alleges
A whistleblower alleged that Department of Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter records.
On Sept. 8, a whistleblower made a protected disclosure to the Senate accusing agents working on the Unlawful Voter Initiative -- the department's name for its investigation -- of having used Virginia's voter registration database to cross-reference names of noncitizens.
The whistleblower said USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate personnel were directed to impersonate Virginia voters by using personal information to access Virginians' voter records and falsely certify that they were the voters whose records they were accessing.
Virginia's online voter lookup portal requires users to certify that they are accessing their own voter registration record or have been expressly authorized by the voter. The site also warns that it is unlawful to access another voter's record.
The whistleblower also alleged that agents were assigned to review 40 subjects per day to meet a department quota. The whistleblower said agency training explicitly acknowledged Virginia's attestation requirement.
In a statement Tuesday, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson acknowledged the department accessed voter rolls.
"The Department accessed publicly available data from states' voter rolls and cross referenced them with known aliens in our systems. It's not rocket science; it's an easy step to secure our elections," the spokesperson said.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Sept. 17 citing several Virginia statutes that he said agents may have violated.
"Users that falsely make this certification in an effort to gather protected voter information may be violating several Virginia criminal statutes," Jones said. "The whistleblower also alleged that (Office of Chief Counsel) informed agents that they would not be 'personally liable for conducting these searches,' which further suggests that leadership is aware that the underlying conduct violates state law."
Virginia law protects voter information from disclosure. Jones said DHS would have needed a court order to access the records.
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Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia AG challenges Trump administration voter probe
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones stepped into a national political spotlight on the eve of early voting for the next Congress by challenging President Donald Trump's administration for an undercover probe of state voter rolls that he said may be illegal.
Jones, elected last fall in a Democratic sweep of statewide offices, sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin on Thursday demanding accountability for the administration's "Unlawful Voter Initiative," which allegedly directed federal agents to access confidential voting records in Virginia without voters' knowledge or permission.
He cited a whistleblower report, which Senate Democrats publicly released earlier this week, alleging that homeland security agents had been directed to use the Citizen Portal to access Virginia voting records, which are generally available only to voters themselves or to someone they expressly authorize to view them. The state requires anyone seeking to view the records to certify that they have the authority to do so and warns that falsely answering would violate criminal law.
"These allegations strongly suggest that (department) leadership are knowingly directing staff to submit false certifications on Virginia's Citizen Portal in an effort to gather information they are legally barred from accessing," he said in the three-page letter, which The Times-Dispatch obtained.
Virginia isn't the only state identified in the whistleblower report as targeted by the homeland security initiative. Still, Jones quickly drew national attention for his letter, which the New York Times first reported on Thursday night, hours after Trump participated in a "tele-rally" for three incumbent Virginia Republican congressional representatives whom Democrats have targeted in congressional midterm elections on Nov. 3.
Early in-person voting began on Friday in Virginia, and absentee ballots went into the mail this week after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Trump's request to allow the U.S. Postal Service to implement a plan to limit absentee voting by mail.
"He's been very aggressive on this issue and developed a modest national profile," Richmond political analyst Bob Holsworth said of the attorney general, a former delegate whose late father had long served as a circuit court judge and delegate from Norfolk.
Jones does not conclude his letter but instead demands detailed answers about the initiative undertaken by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate, as part of the Department of Homeland Security.
"To ensure that Virginians' privacy rights are fully protected, I seek confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security whether it has accessed the Citizen Portal to search Virginia voters and, if so, that it has discontinued this unauthorized and illegal use of the Citizen Portal," he writes.
Jones said state law allows limited exceptions for third parties to access voting records through the portal, after certifying "that they are using the information for specific permissible purposes."
"In contrast, Virginia Election Code does not permit disclosure of this protected information to the federal government without a court order," he said.
The state elections website includes information about voter registration state, their polling place and voting history, the attorney general explained to Mullin.
"To ensure that this information is properly protected, as mandated by the Virginia Election Code, the Department (of Elections) requires Citizen Portal users to certify that they are either looking up their own information, or that they are expressly authorized by a voter to access their information," he said.
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"However, the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia is not aware of any blanket legal authority that would permit (homeland security) staff to obtain protected information from state officials without a court order," he said.
Jones asked Mullin to confirm in writing by next Friday whether the department had directed staff to access confidential Virginia voter information without their permission and, if so, "how many Virginia voters' information was accessed."
He also demanded that the department staff "cease making any additional false certifications to obtain access to Citizen Portal, and cease accessing protected voter information" through the state system.
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PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Permanently Blocks Trump Administration's SNAP Penalties
"Food insecurity has hit Virginians across the Commonwealth in all types of communities, with Donald Trump's ongoing war on struggling families. Protecting access to this critical program for our most vulnerable was a day one priority of my administration that I am proud to deliver on," said Attorney General Jones. "Virginians are already stretching paychecks as far as they can and while Donald Trump might not care about the impact the cost crisis is having on them, this office does. We will not stop fighting for the programs and agencies created to support our most vulnerable Virginians."
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Virginia Mercury and CBS19: Federal judge strikes down SNAP deadline that put Virginia at risk of added costs
Virginia and other states cannot be penalized under a Trump administration deadline that gave them too little time to put new federal food assistance rules into effect, a federal judge in Oregon has ruled.
The decision also rejects federal guidance that would have denied benefits to some lawful permanent residents, including people who previously entered the country as refugees or were granted asylum.
The Sept. 17 ruling resolves a lawsuit brought by a coalition of 22 states, co-led by Oregon and New York. Virginia joined the case in January, after the court had issued a preliminary injunction in December.
For Virginia, the decision removes a potential source of added costs as state and local agencies work through changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
It does not undo the changes Congress made to the program in its 2025 tax and spending law H.R. 1, including a provision requiring states with higher payment error rates to cover part of the cost of benefits beginning in fiscal 2028.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones welcomed the decision in a statement Wednesday, describing access to food assistance as a priority for his office.
"Virginians are already stretching paychecks as far as they can," Jones said. "We will not stop fighting for the programs and agencies created to support our most vulnerable Virginians."
Jones' office announced Virginia's joining the lawsuit in February, following a review of existing litigation after he took office in January.
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PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Joins Coalition of States in Pushing Back on Federal Rule That Could Undermine Medicaid, Insurance Regulation, and Health Coverage
"Virginians depend on strong, stable Medicaid and clear, accountable oversight of their health insurance. This proposed rule would undermine both," Attorney General Jones said. "Our coalition is standing together because CMS has overstepped its authority in ways that could reduce critical funding, create unnecessary barriers, and interfere with state responsibilities that protect families and their access to care. We're urging CMS to pull back this proposal and work with states, not against us, to ensure Medicaid remains reliable for the people who need it most."
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WRIC and WAVY: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joins states opposing proposed federal Medicaid rule
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general opposing a proposed federal rule that they say could affect Medicaid funding, state insurance regulation and the operation of health insurance exchanges.
The attorneys general filed a comment letter with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), opposing the proposed rule. The rule would change how the federal government evaluates certain health care-related taxes and payments collected by states.
CMS says the proposal is intended to implement changes made by Congress in 2025 and establish new limits on certain health care-related taxes. The agency says the rule is designed to ensure states share responsibility for financing Medicaid and estimates it would reduce federal spending by $246 billion over 10 years.
The coalition led by Jones argues the proposal goes beyond what Congress authorized and could put federal Medicaid funding at risk.
"Virginians depend on strong, stable Medicaid and clear, accountable oversight of their health insurance. This proposed rule would undermine both," Jones said in a news release.
The proposed rule would establish new requirements for states involving health care-related taxes, including taxes involving health insurers. CMS says the proposal would establish health insurers as a permissible class for health care-related taxes and bring existing state taxes on health insurers under federal oversight. It would also create new reporting requirements for states.
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Invests in Communities through TRIAD Grants
Attorney General Jones announced the distribution of $75,000 to 30 TRIAD chapters across the state, as part of the 2026-2027 TRIAD grant. Each year, chartered TRIAD chapters can apply for grants from the Office of the Attorney General to support their local programs. TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Awards $75,000 to 30 TRIAD Chapters Across the Commonwealth
"Virginians everywhere continue to experience an increasingly complex threat environment as it relates to scams and fraud, and our seniors are especially vulnerable to these attacks. TRIAD organizations across the Commonwealth play an integral role in educating Virginians on scams and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations to stop them," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "Supporting TRIAD chapters in their efforts to better awareness, spot trends, and respond to community concerns in real time is how we protect consumers on the ground-level. I'm proud of each of the grantees announced today and look forward to making communities safer with their partnership."
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NRVNews: 30 TRIAD chapters share $75K
Attorney General Jones announced the distribution of $75,000 to 30 TRIAD chapters across the state, as part of the 2026-2027 TRIAD grant. Each year, chartered TRIAD chapters can apply for grants from the Office of the Attorney General to support their local programs. TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
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"These TRIAD chapters are doing important work in our communities, and we're here to support them. This year's grant budget was larger than the last two years, a direct nod towards the Attorney General's commitment to TRIAD and Virginia's senior," said Benjamin Bickel, TRIAD Coordinator." The grant application process was highly competitive this year, demonstrating just how active TRIAD chapters across Virginia are."
The goal of TRIAD is to reduce seniors' fear of crime and victimization by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting them, strengthening communication between law enforcement and senior communities, and educating seniors on local and state resources available in their community.
September 25, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3127-attorney-general-jones-opposes-attempt-by-trump-administration-to-impose-unlawful-taxes-on-h-1b-visas
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WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN
Takes action to protect consumers in consequential merger proposal, fights federal overreach, and invests in communities
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RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to advocate for ratepayers in front of the SCC, delivers on his promise to fight back against federal overreach, and invests in communities across the Commonwealth.
Protecting Consumers
Attorney General Jones ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release: * * * WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN Takes action to protect consumers in consequential merger proposal, fights federal overreach, and invests in communities - RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to advocate for ratepayers in front of the SCC, delivers on his promise to fight back against federal overreach, and invests in communities across the Commonwealth. Protecting Consumers Attorney General Jonestold the SCC that the 180-day review period for the Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal should be reset, following the companies' substantial modifications to the original proposal. The Virginia Code charges the Office of the Attorney General with the responsibility to represent ratepayers in front of the State Corporation Commission as they consider cases that impact the interests of consumers, including this merger.
Virginia Mercury and NBC12 and Cardinal News: 'A different deal on the table': AG Jay Jones asks SCC to reset the clock on Dominion-NextEra merger
Attorney General Jay Jones told state regulators Friday that they should reset the 180-day review time period for the $67 billion Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal, after the companies unveiled expanded conditions of the deal last week.
On Sept. 14, Dominion and NextEra jointly filed supplemental documents to the State Corporation Commission outlining new additions to the proposal, including extending residential customers' bill credits to four years instead of two.
The companies also pitched five-year job protections for Virginia staff working on the project, instead of 18 months, and a promise of a new office tower in downtown Richmond.
In the filing, NextEra CEO John Ketchum said several stakeholder hearings since the original filing of the case on July 15 prompted the changes that could make the deal more attractive.
"The Supplemental Merger Commitments... address the comments we have heard and propose to provide greater immediate customer benefits, headcount commitments, meaningful economic development initiatives..." Ketchum stated in the supplemental filing on Sept. 14.
Jones filed testimony on Sept. 18 arguing that the changes are significant enough that they should be considered an amendment to the initial proposal and that the 180-day countdown clock should be reset to start with the Sept. 14 filing.
He stated that the 180-day limit for the SCC to consider the case should be reset to the date of the supplemental filing to allow proper time for intervenors to review the new details, allow for the public to be engaged, and for any additional interested parties to file as intervenors in the case.
"The Joint Petitioners have put a different deal on the table," Jones' testimony read.
Because the companies' supplemental filing was submitted the first business day after the deadline to file as an intervenor in the case, Jones said, it "raises serious notice concerns."
"Case participants cannot simply take the Joint Petitioners at their word that these new proposals are unqualified benefits that will accrue to Virginia ratepayers and citizens," Jones said in his filing.
A proposal of this magnitude, Jones said, and the new conditions "prompt meaningful questions that must be asked through the discovery process to build a full evidentiary record about these commitments' impacts" to the public at just and reasonable rates.
As it currently stands, the SCC must make their final decision on the merger by Jan. 11, which would mark 180 days after the filing date of the initial proposal.
If regulators approve Jones' request to restart the 180-day merger review period from Sept. 14, the case would be ongoing during the regular General Assembly session, which begins in January.
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If the SCC sides with Jones, a final decision on the merger case could be expected in March.
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Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia AG seeks more review of $67B NextEra-Dominion merger
Promises of more bill credits in NextEra Energy's proposed takeover of Dominion Energy mean the State Corporation Commission should take more time to consider the deal, Attorney General Jay Jones said.
Earlier this month, NextEra said it would offer residential bill credits for four years, instead of two, bring 600 new jobs to Virginia and direct $100 million of stockholder funds to Dominion's Energy Share assistance program for Virginians struggling with energy bills.
With that, NextEra and Dominion "have put a different deal on the table," Jones said in a filing with the SCC.
State law gives the commission up to 180 days to consider utility mergers, and the clock started ticking when NextEra and Dominion formally asked the SCC to approve the $67 billion merger in July.
The deal can't go ahead unless the SCC approves, but if it doesn't act by what's currently a mid-January deadline, state law says the merger can go through.
"The proposals filed under the guise of 'supplemental testimony' amount to an entirely new proposal," Jones said.
If the SCC agrees that additional bill credits and other measures should be considered in its review, that would present significant procedural concerns because of the 180-day deadline, Jones said.
He noted that NextEra and Dominion decided to file the supplemental testimony on the first business day after the SCC's deadline for interested parties to formally intervene in the case.
That raises serious concerns about whether that gave interested parties sufficient notice, Jones said.
"Case participants cannot simply take (NextEra and Dominion) at their word that these new proposals are unqualified benefits that will accrue to Virginia ratepayers and citizens," Jones said.
"As with any proposal, especially one of this magnitude, these newly proposed commitments prompt meaningful questions that must be asked through the discovery process to build a full evidentiary record about these commitments' impacts to 'adequate service to the public at just and reasonable rates,'" Jones said, citing the language the SCC must consider when deciding whether to approve or reject a utility merger.
"Simply put, the filing of 'significant expansions' to the (NextEra and Dominion) proposal in this extremely important case just over a month before the filing deadline for intervenor testimony does not ensure intervenors have adequate time to analyze, conduct discovery on, and compile testimony regarding these 'significant expansions,'" Jones said, quoting the term the two firms themselves used to describe the changes.
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WTVR: Virginia AG says Dominion-NextEra 'put a different deal on the table,' seeks merger review reset
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is asking the State Corporation Commission to restart the clock on the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra, saying new commitments filed by the companies amount to an amendment of the original merger proposal -- not a simple supplement to existing testimony.
"The Joint Petitioners have put a different deal on the table," Jones said in the Sept. 18 SCC filing.
On Sept. 14, Dominion Energy and NextEra announced new promises, including doubling bill credits, creating 1,000 new jobs, building a new office tower for NextEra employees, and maintaining current Virginia employee headcount levels for five years.
Jones said those new commitments require more time for review.
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Fighting Federal Overreach
Attorney General Jones demanded that the federal government initiate an investigation into reports that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated Virginia's laws as part of new DHS program, following a recent whistleblower report. Also this week, Attorney General Jones and a coalition stopped Donald Trump's SNAP penalties and stood in opposition to a proposed federal law that could put federal funding for Medicaid at risk and interfere with state oversight.
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PBS: DHS may have violated state election law, Virginia's AG says after whistleblower report
Virginia's attorney general said Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated several state laws after a whistleblower accused its employees of misrepresenting themselves on voter lookup tools to hunt for noncitizen voters.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Attorney General Jay Jones demanded that DHS confirm in writing whether it had directed anyone to access Virginia voters' information without first obtaining permission from those voters.
"Virginia Election Code does not permit disclosure of this protected information to the federal government without a court order," he wrote in the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The state explicitly limits its voter lookup tools to individuals who attest under penalty of law that they are looking up their own records.
The AP has asked DHS for comment on the letter.
Jones also asked Mullin to preserve all related records, including access logs, correspondence and training materials mentioned in the whistleblower report.
The anonymous report, published Monday by Democratic Senate leaders, includes transcripts of a DHS training for a group of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staffers, who it says were forced in late August to drop other work, complete a less than two-hour training and begin running DHS-provided lists of people through state voter registration systems to find "unlawful voters."
The whistleblower contends that agents have been asked to review 40 individuals per day, giving them about 12 minutes to determine whether each person is a legal voter and create federal records of anyone who is not.
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The Virginian Pilot: Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter rolls, whistleblower alleges
A whistleblower alleged that Department of Homeland Security agents may have illegally accessed Virginia voter records.
On Sept. 8, a whistleblower made a protected disclosure to the Senate accusing agents working on the Unlawful Voter Initiative -- the department's name for its investigation -- of having used Virginia's voter registration database to cross-reference names of noncitizens.
The whistleblower said USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate personnel were directed to impersonate Virginia voters by using personal information to access Virginians' voter records and falsely certify that they were the voters whose records they were accessing.
Virginia's online voter lookup portal requires users to certify that they are accessing their own voter registration record or have been expressly authorized by the voter. The site also warns that it is unlawful to access another voter's record.
The whistleblower also alleged that agents were assigned to review 40 subjects per day to meet a department quota. The whistleblower said agency training explicitly acknowledged Virginia's attestation requirement.
In a statement Tuesday, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson acknowledged the department accessed voter rolls.
"The Department accessed publicly available data from states' voter rolls and cross referenced them with known aliens in our systems. It's not rocket science; it's an easy step to secure our elections," the spokesperson said.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Sept. 17 citing several Virginia statutes that he said agents may have violated.
"Users that falsely make this certification in an effort to gather protected voter information may be violating several Virginia criminal statutes," Jones said. "The whistleblower also alleged that (Office of Chief Counsel) informed agents that they would not be 'personally liable for conducting these searches,' which further suggests that leadership is aware that the underlying conduct violates state law."
Virginia law protects voter information from disclosure. Jones said DHS would have needed a court order to access the records.
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Richmond Times Dispatch: Virginia AG challenges Trump administration voter probe
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones stepped into a national political spotlight on the eve of early voting for the next Congress by challenging President Donald Trump's administration for an undercover probe of state voter rolls that he said may be illegal.
Jones, elected last fall in a Democratic sweep of statewide offices, sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin on Thursday demanding accountability for the administration's "Unlawful Voter Initiative," which allegedly directed federal agents to access confidential voting records in Virginia without voters' knowledge or permission.
He cited a whistleblower report, which Senate Democrats publicly released earlier this week, alleging that homeland security agents had been directed to use the Citizen Portal to access Virginia voting records, which are generally available only to voters themselves or to someone they expressly authorize to view them. The state requires anyone seeking to view the records to certify that they have the authority to do so and warns that falsely answering would violate criminal law.
"These allegations strongly suggest that (department) leadership are knowingly directing staff to submit false certifications on Virginia's Citizen Portal in an effort to gather information they are legally barred from accessing," he said in the three-page letter, which The Times-Dispatch obtained.
Virginia isn't the only state identified in the whistleblower report as targeted by the homeland security initiative. Still, Jones quickly drew national attention for his letter, which the New York Times first reported on Thursday night, hours after Trump participated in a "tele-rally" for three incumbent Virginia Republican congressional representatives whom Democrats have targeted in congressional midterm elections on Nov. 3.
Early in-person voting began on Friday in Virginia, and absentee ballots went into the mail this week after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Trump's request to allow the U.S. Postal Service to implement a plan to limit absentee voting by mail.
"He's been very aggressive on this issue and developed a modest national profile," Richmond political analyst Bob Holsworth said of the attorney general, a former delegate whose late father had long served as a circuit court judge and delegate from Norfolk.
Jones does not conclude his letter but instead demands detailed answers about the initiative undertaken by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate, as part of the Department of Homeland Security.
"To ensure that Virginians' privacy rights are fully protected, I seek confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security whether it has accessed the Citizen Portal to search Virginia voters and, if so, that it has discontinued this unauthorized and illegal use of the Citizen Portal," he writes.
Jones said state law allows limited exceptions for third parties to access voting records through the portal, after certifying "that they are using the information for specific permissible purposes."
"In contrast, Virginia Election Code does not permit disclosure of this protected information to the federal government without a court order," he said.
The state elections website includes information about voter registration state, their polling place and voting history, the attorney general explained to Mullin.
"To ensure that this information is properly protected, as mandated by the Virginia Election Code, the Department (of Elections) requires Citizen Portal users to certify that they are either looking up their own information, or that they are expressly authorized by a voter to access their information," he said.
[...]
"However, the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia is not aware of any blanket legal authority that would permit (homeland security) staff to obtain protected information from state officials without a court order," he said.
Jones asked Mullin to confirm in writing by next Friday whether the department had directed staff to access confidential Virginia voter information without their permission and, if so, "how many Virginia voters' information was accessed."
He also demanded that the department staff "cease making any additional false certifications to obtain access to Citizen Portal, and cease accessing protected voter information" through the state system.
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PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Permanently Blocks Trump Administration's SNAP Penalties
"Food insecurity has hit Virginians across the Commonwealth in all types of communities, with Donald Trump's ongoing war on struggling families. Protecting access to this critical program for our most vulnerable was a day one priority of my administration that I am proud to deliver on," said Attorney General Jones. "Virginians are already stretching paychecks as far as they can and while Donald Trump might not care about the impact the cost crisis is having on them, this office does. We will not stop fighting for the programs and agencies created to support our most vulnerable Virginians."
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Virginia Mercury and CBS19: Federal judge strikes down SNAP deadline that put Virginia at risk of added costs
Virginia and other states cannot be penalized under a Trump administration deadline that gave them too little time to put new federal food assistance rules into effect, a federal judge in Oregon has ruled.
The decision also rejects federal guidance that would have denied benefits to some lawful permanent residents, including people who previously entered the country as refugees or were granted asylum.
The Sept. 17 ruling resolves a lawsuit brought by a coalition of 22 states, co-led by Oregon and New York. Virginia joined the case in January, after the court had issued a preliminary injunction in December.
For Virginia, the decision removes a potential source of added costs as state and local agencies work through changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
It does not undo the changes Congress made to the program in its 2025 tax and spending law H.R. 1, including a provision requiring states with higher payment error rates to cover part of the cost of benefits beginning in fiscal 2028.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones welcomed the decision in a statement Wednesday, describing access to food assistance as a priority for his office.
"Virginians are already stretching paychecks as far as they can," Jones said. "We will not stop fighting for the programs and agencies created to support our most vulnerable Virginians."
Jones' office announced Virginia's joining the lawsuit in February, following a review of existing litigation after he took office in January.
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PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Joins Coalition of States in Pushing Back on Federal Rule That Could Undermine Medicaid, Insurance Regulation, and Health Coverage
"Virginians depend on strong, stable Medicaid and clear, accountable oversight of their health insurance. This proposed rule would undermine both," Attorney General Jones said. "Our coalition is standing together because CMS has overstepped its authority in ways that could reduce critical funding, create unnecessary barriers, and interfere with state responsibilities that protect families and their access to care. We're urging CMS to pull back this proposal and work with states, not against us, to ensure Medicaid remains reliable for the people who need it most."
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WRIC and WAVY: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joins states opposing proposed federal Medicaid rule
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general opposing a proposed federal rule that they say could affect Medicaid funding, state insurance regulation and the operation of health insurance exchanges.
The attorneys general filed a comment letter with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), opposing the proposed rule. The rule would change how the federal government evaluates certain health care-related taxes and payments collected by states.
CMS says the proposal is intended to implement changes made by Congress in 2025 and establish new limits on certain health care-related taxes. The agency says the rule is designed to ensure states share responsibility for financing Medicaid and estimates it would reduce federal spending by $246 billion over 10 years.
The coalition led by Jones argues the proposal goes beyond what Congress authorized and could put federal Medicaid funding at risk.
"Virginians depend on strong, stable Medicaid and clear, accountable oversight of their health insurance. This proposed rule would undermine both," Jones said in a news release.
The proposed rule would establish new requirements for states involving health care-related taxes, including taxes involving health insurers. CMS says the proposal would establish health insurers as a permissible class for health care-related taxes and bring existing state taxes on health insurers under federal oversight. It would also create new reporting requirements for states.
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Invests in Communities through TRIAD Grants
Attorney General Jones announced the distribution of $75,000 to 30 TRIAD chapters across the state, as part of the 2026-2027 TRIAD grant. Each year, chartered TRIAD chapters can apply for grants from the Office of the Attorney General to support their local programs. TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Awards $75,000 to 30 TRIAD Chapters Across the Commonwealth
"Virginians everywhere continue to experience an increasingly complex threat environment as it relates to scams and fraud, and our seniors are especially vulnerable to these attacks. TRIAD organizations across the Commonwealth play an integral role in educating Virginians on scams and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations to stop them," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "Supporting TRIAD chapters in their efforts to better awareness, spot trends, and respond to community concerns in real time is how we protect consumers on the ground-level. I'm proud of each of the grantees announced today and look forward to making communities safer with their partnership."
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NRVNews: 30 TRIAD chapters share $75K
Attorney General Jones announced the distribution of $75,000 to 30 TRIAD chapters across the state, as part of the 2026-2027 TRIAD grant. Each year, chartered TRIAD chapters can apply for grants from the Office of the Attorney General to support their local programs. TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
[...]
"These TRIAD chapters are doing important work in our communities, and we're here to support them. This year's grant budget was larger than the last two years, a direct nod towards the Attorney General's commitment to TRIAD and Virginia's senior," said Benjamin Bickel, TRIAD Coordinator." The grant application process was highly competitive this year, demonstrating just how active TRIAD chapters across Virginia are."
The goal of TRIAD is to reduce seniors' fear of crime and victimization by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting them, strengthening communication between law enforcement and senior communities, and educating seniors on local and state resources available in their community.
September 25, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3127-attorney-general-jones-opposes-attempt-by-trump-administration-to-impose-unlawful-taxes-on-h-1b-visas
N.J. A.G. Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models
TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models
Bipartisan Coalition of AGs Demands Establishment of a Robust Regulatory Framework for AI Development
September 25, 2026
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TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 26 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to enact comprehensive federal artificial intelligence (AI) regulations to protect our residents in light of recent incidents ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models Bipartisan Coalition of AGs Demands Establishment of a Robust Regulatory Framework for AI Development September 25, 2026 - TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 26 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to enact comprehensive federal artificial intelligence (AI) regulations to protect our residents in light of recent incidentshighlighting the risk of AI-caused catastrophes for public safety, critical infrastructure, and national security. The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass substantive legislation to regulate the AI industry to ensure that development occurs at an intentional pace, incorporates safety and transparency by design, and maintains states' ability to oversee the industry.
"The amazing promise of AI--whether to detect cancer faster or to aid drug discovery--will mean nothing in the end if our residents' health and finances, our utility grid, or our transportation safety systems are continually threatened by the risk of rogue AI events," said Attorney General Davenport. "The AI industry should be treated no differently than other industries whose technologies have the potential to cause enormous harm to people."
The coalition warns that self-regulation by the companies racing to develop advanced AI models is not sufficient--as a spate of recent incidents, in which advanced AI systems from multiple leading developers acted in dangerous and unlawful ways, makes this clear. In several cases, AI agents reportedly escaped their testing environments, accessed the open internet, and carried out harmful actions--conduct that, if performed by humans, would have violated criminal law.
According to the attorneys general, these incidents were not isolated. Multiple frontier AI labs have disclosed similar failures, and independent safety researchers have uncovered additional problems that the companies did not initially reveal. This pattern shows that voluntary self-regulation is inadequate to protect the public and highlights the risk that AI labs will prioritize expanding models' intelligence capabilities over ensuring safety.
Self-Regulation Has Failed
The attorneys general noted that some of the most troubling revelations came not from the companies themselves, but from outside researchers and journalists. In several instances, developers minimized the scope of incidents or delayed public disclosure. This lack of transparency underscores why independent federal oversight is essential.
Several current and former AI researchers have issued stark warnings about the potential dangers of increasingly powerful, intelligent systems. An increasing number of AI industry leaders now acknowledge the risks, with leading executives and senior scientists at major AI labs agreeing that mandatory national safety regulation and coordinated efforts to manage the pace of AI development are necessary.
The coalition's letter urges Congress to treat AI regulation with the same seriousness it has historically applied to the financial system, transportation systems, and national security. At a minimum, the attorneys general explain, federal action must ensure that AI development proceeds at a responsible pace and incorporates safety and transparency by design.
The letter says federal legislation should focus on six key priorities:
* Mandatory federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by qualified experts and backed by consistent performance benchmarks;
* Transparent, government-led incident response, with investigators empowered to access records and publish findings;
* Robust, mandatory safety infrastructure and experienced leadership empowered to make critical safety decisions independent of profit pressures;
* International cooperation to responsibly manage AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence;
* Safeguards for competition to ensure regulation does not entrench dominant companies or provide cover for companies to evade existing antitrust laws; and
* Explicit preservation of state authority, ensuring that federal action does not preempt state laws and that state officials retain full enforcement power.
The attorneys general stressed that they are actively working to hold AI companies accountable under existing state laws and will continue to do so. However, they emphasized that federal action is particularly warranted to achieve the national and international coordination required to address risks of this scale.
This is not the first time attorneys general have called on Congress to create responsible AI regulation while preserving the rights of states to do the same. Last November, New Jersey joined a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general opposing efforts to ban state laws that address artificial intelligence (AI).
Attorney General Davenport is joined in sending this letter to Congress by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa.
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INFODOC: https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-0924_Letter-re-federal-AI-regulation.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-urges-congress-to-protect-americans-from-uncontrolled-artificial-intelligence-models/
* * *
Attorney General Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models
Bipartisan Coalition of AGs Demands Establishment of a Robust Regulatory Framework for AI Development
September 25, 2026
-
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 26 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to enact comprehensive federal artificial intelligence (AI) regulations to protect our residents in light of recent incidents ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 26 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Davenport Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence Models Bipartisan Coalition of AGs Demands Establishment of a Robust Regulatory Framework for AI Development September 25, 2026 - TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 26 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to enact comprehensive federal artificial intelligence (AI) regulations to protect our residents in light of recent incidentshighlighting the risk of AI-caused catastrophes for public safety, critical infrastructure, and national security. The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass substantive legislation to regulate the AI industry to ensure that development occurs at an intentional pace, incorporates safety and transparency by design, and maintains states' ability to oversee the industry.
"The amazing promise of AI--whether to detect cancer faster or to aid drug discovery--will mean nothing in the end if our residents' health and finances, our utility grid, or our transportation safety systems are continually threatened by the risk of rogue AI events," said Attorney General Davenport. "The AI industry should be treated no differently than other industries whose technologies have the potential to cause enormous harm to people."
The coalition warns that self-regulation by the companies racing to develop advanced AI models is not sufficient--as a spate of recent incidents, in which advanced AI systems from multiple leading developers acted in dangerous and unlawful ways, makes this clear. In several cases, AI agents reportedly escaped their testing environments, accessed the open internet, and carried out harmful actions--conduct that, if performed by humans, would have violated criminal law.
According to the attorneys general, these incidents were not isolated. Multiple frontier AI labs have disclosed similar failures, and independent safety researchers have uncovered additional problems that the companies did not initially reveal. This pattern shows that voluntary self-regulation is inadequate to protect the public and highlights the risk that AI labs will prioritize expanding models' intelligence capabilities over ensuring safety.
Self-Regulation Has Failed
The attorneys general noted that some of the most troubling revelations came not from the companies themselves, but from outside researchers and journalists. In several instances, developers minimized the scope of incidents or delayed public disclosure. This lack of transparency underscores why independent federal oversight is essential.
Several current and former AI researchers have issued stark warnings about the potential dangers of increasingly powerful, intelligent systems. An increasing number of AI industry leaders now acknowledge the risks, with leading executives and senior scientists at major AI labs agreeing that mandatory national safety regulation and coordinated efforts to manage the pace of AI development are necessary.
The coalition's letter urges Congress to treat AI regulation with the same seriousness it has historically applied to the financial system, transportation systems, and national security. At a minimum, the attorneys general explain, federal action must ensure that AI development proceeds at a responsible pace and incorporates safety and transparency by design.
The letter says federal legislation should focus on six key priorities:
* Mandatory federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by qualified experts and backed by consistent performance benchmarks;
* Transparent, government-led incident response, with investigators empowered to access records and publish findings;
* Robust, mandatory safety infrastructure and experienced leadership empowered to make critical safety decisions independent of profit pressures;
* International cooperation to responsibly manage AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence;
* Safeguards for competition to ensure regulation does not entrench dominant companies or provide cover for companies to evade existing antitrust laws; and
* Explicit preservation of state authority, ensuring that federal action does not preempt state laws and that state officials retain full enforcement power.
The attorneys general stressed that they are actively working to hold AI companies accountable under existing state laws and will continue to do so. However, they emphasized that federal action is particularly warranted to achieve the national and international coordination required to address risks of this scale.
This is not the first time attorneys general have called on Congress to create responsible AI regulation while preserving the rights of states to do the same. Last November, New Jersey joined a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general opposing efforts to ban state laws that address artificial intelligence (AI).
Attorney General Davenport is joined in sending this letter to Congress by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa.
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INFODOC: https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-0924_Letter-re-federal-AI-regulation.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-urges-congress-to-protect-americans-from-uncontrolled-artificial-intelligence-models/
Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm
ALBANY, New York, Sept. 26 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm
*
September 26, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New York consumers and businesses of price gouging during a storm expected to bring heavy wind and rain, as well as potential flooding, to New York this weekend. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in advance ... Show Full Article ALBANY, New York, Sept. 26 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm * September 26, 2026 NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New York consumers and businesses of price gouging during a storm expected to bring heavy wind and rain, as well as potential flooding, to New York this weekend. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in advanceof the storm. New York's price gouging law prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions or emergencies. Attorney General James is urging New Yorkers who see higher prices on essential goods and services to file complaints with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
"New Yorkers should never have to face unfair price hikes to stay safe during a storm," said Attorney General James. "With high winds, heavy rain, and potentially dangerous flooding expected in the Hudson Valley, New York City, and on Long Island, my office will be on the lookout for any unjust price increases. I encourage all New Yorkers to stay safe and report price gouging to my office."
New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during emergencies. The price gouging law covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.
When reporting price gouging to OAG, consumers should:
* Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices; and
* Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.
Price gouging violations can carry penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to OAG by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755.
***
Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-warns-new-yorkers-about-price-gouging-during-severe
(TNSmrp)
* * *
Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm
*
September 26, 2026
NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New York consumers and businesses of price gouging during a storm expected to bring heavy wind and rain, as well as potential flooding, to New York this weekend. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in advance ... Show Full Article ALBANY, New York, Sept. 26 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Severe Coastal Storm * September 26, 2026 NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New York consumers and businesses of price gouging during a storm expected to bring heavy wind and rain, as well as potential flooding, to New York this weekend. Governor Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties in advanceof the storm. New York's price gouging law prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions or emergencies. Attorney General James is urging New Yorkers who see higher prices on essential goods and services to file complaints with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
"New Yorkers should never have to face unfair price hikes to stay safe during a storm," said Attorney General James. "With high winds, heavy rain, and potentially dangerous flooding expected in the Hudson Valley, New York City, and on Long Island, my office will be on the lookout for any unjust price increases. I encourage all New Yorkers to stay safe and report price gouging to my office."
New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during emergencies. The price gouging law covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.
When reporting price gouging to OAG, consumers should:
* Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices; and
* Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.
Price gouging violations can carry penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to OAG by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755.
***
Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-warns-new-yorkers-about-price-gouging-during-severe
(TNSmrp)
Attorney General Bonta Secures Preliminary Injunction Continuing to Block Trump Administration's Plan to Terminate School Mental Health Funding
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 26 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Secures Preliminary Injunction Continuing to Block Trump Administration's Plan to Terminate School Mental Health Funding
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OAKLAND -As part of a coalition of 15 attorneys general, California Attorney General Rob Bonta this week secured a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington that continues blocking the U.S. Department of Education's (Department) effort to terminate federal funding that helps schools recruit ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 26 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Bonta Secures Preliminary Injunction Continuing to Block Trump Administration's Plan to Terminate School Mental Health Funding * OAKLAND -As part of a coalition of 15 attorneys general, California Attorney General Rob Bonta this week secured a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington that continues blocking the U.S. Department of Education's (Department) effort to terminate federal funding that helps schools recruitand train mental health professionals and provide essential mental health services. Congress established the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program and the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program following the school shootings in Parkland, FL and Uvalde, TX to address shortages of school-based counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals, particularly in high-need schools. The new ruling continues to block the Department's termination plan, which the court first halted through a temporary restraining order earlier this year.
"The Trump Administration has repeatedly tried to cut critical mental health funding for schools, and we haven't hesitated to fight back," said Attorney General Bonta. "This preliminary injunction keeps these vital resources available to students and families who need them the most. We will keep holding this Administration accountable and defending the rule of law."
After Attorney General Bonta and a coalition of attorneys general successfully blocked the Department's earlier effort to discontinue these grants, the Department announced a new plan to end the funding under a different regulation, leading the coalition to file a lawsuit that resulted in the preliminary injunction.
The court granted the coalition's motion for a preliminary injunction because it found that the attorneys general are likely to succeed in showing that the Department's termination plan is unlawful. The court found that the Department sought to re-evaluate grants based on new priorities that did not exist when grantees applied for the funding and failed to adequately consider grantees' reliance on that funding. The court also found that the Department did not provide grantees with the notice and opportunity to be heard required before terminating the funding.
Joining Attorney General Bonta in challenging the Department's termination plan are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
***
Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-secures-preliminary-injunction-continuing-block-trump
* * *
Attorney General Bonta Secures Preliminary Injunction Continuing to Block Trump Administration's Plan to Terminate School Mental Health Funding
*
OAKLAND -As part of a coalition of 15 attorneys general, California Attorney General Rob Bonta this week secured a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington that continues blocking the U.S. Department of Education's (Department) effort to terminate federal funding that helps schools recruit ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 26 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Bonta Secures Preliminary Injunction Continuing to Block Trump Administration's Plan to Terminate School Mental Health Funding * OAKLAND -As part of a coalition of 15 attorneys general, California Attorney General Rob Bonta this week secured a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington that continues blocking the U.S. Department of Education's (Department) effort to terminate federal funding that helps schools recruitand train mental health professionals and provide essential mental health services. Congress established the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program and the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program following the school shootings in Parkland, FL and Uvalde, TX to address shortages of school-based counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals, particularly in high-need schools. The new ruling continues to block the Department's termination plan, which the court first halted through a temporary restraining order earlier this year.
"The Trump Administration has repeatedly tried to cut critical mental health funding for schools, and we haven't hesitated to fight back," said Attorney General Bonta. "This preliminary injunction keeps these vital resources available to students and families who need them the most. We will keep holding this Administration accountable and defending the rule of law."
After Attorney General Bonta and a coalition of attorneys general successfully blocked the Department's earlier effort to discontinue these grants, the Department announced a new plan to end the funding under a different regulation, leading the coalition to file a lawsuit that resulted in the preliminary injunction.
The court granted the coalition's motion for a preliminary injunction because it found that the attorneys general are likely to succeed in showing that the Department's termination plan is unlawful. The court found that the Department sought to re-evaluate grants based on new priorities that did not exist when grantees applied for the funding and failed to adequately consider grantees' reliance on that funding. The court also found that the Department did not provide grantees with the notice and opportunity to be heard required before terminating the funding.
Joining Attorney General Bonta in challenging the Department's termination plan are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
***
Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-secures-preliminary-injunction-continuing-block-trump
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Urges Congress to Protect Americans From Unchecked AI Development
PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 26 (TNSida) -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Mayes Urges Congress to Protect Americans from Unchecked AI Development
September 24, 2026
PHOENIX - Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in calling on Congress to immediately regulate the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. In a letter sent to Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Attorney General Mayes and the coalition warn that ... Show Full Article PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 26 (TNSida) -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Mayes Urges Congress to Protect Americans from Unchecked AI Development September 24, 2026 PHOENIX - Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in calling on Congress to immediately regulate the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. In a letter sent to Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Attorney General Mayes and the coalition warn thatreports of recent incidents demonstrate that unchecked AI development endangers Americans and poses a potential threat to our financial system, critical infrastructure, and national security. The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass substantive legislation to regulate the AI industry to ensure that development occurs at an intentional pace, incorporates safety and transparency by design, and maintains states' ability to oversee the industry.
"It is far past time for Congress to act on AI regulation," said Attorney General Mayes. "Strict federal oversight and rules for this fast developing industry must be implemented as soon as possible to protect humanity from disaster. Congress should also explicitly prohibit any preemption of state laws designed to protect our residents and give state attorneys general full authority to enforce federal protections related to this technology. No other industry is allowed to act this recklessly with human safety. Congress must act now."
On July 16, Hugging Face, an open-source library and repository, reported that it was being attacked by an unknown third party. Within a week, OpenAI admitted that the attack was waged by its AI agents, which escaped a testing environment and infiltrated Hugging Face using stolen credentials. OpenAI was aware of the agents' capabilities and failed to monitor their activity or stop their exploits. The agents' actions, if perpetrated by a human, would have constituted criminal conduct.
Following the Hugging Face incident, Anthropic and Meta also acknowledged their AI agents had entered the open web and performed dangerous and unlawful actions. This agent behavior has been known to the industry for years and is a direct result of their training. Through a practice called "reinforcement learning," AI labs reward models' achievement of goals and penalize unsuccessful attempts, leading models to take reckless measures to complete the tasks they are given.
These reports have led to some of the AI industry's leading developers calling for regulation. OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer called for "mandatory, capability-based national AI safety regulation." Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged the United States to lead international coordination of AI model development because this effort "will require government support."
Attorney General Mayes and the coalition are calling on Congress to take immediate action to ensure AI development does not lead to irreversible damage or further illegal behavior. In their letter, Mayes and the coalition emphasize that any AI regulatory scheme considered by Congress must include:
* Federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by experts in the field of AI model safety and backed by consistent performance benchmarks;
* Uniform and transparent government-led incident response with public findings that allow the industry to rapidly evolve in response;
* Safety infrastructure and experienced leaders to make critical safety decisions unburdened by profit maximization;
* International cooperation to pace AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence; and
* A prohibition on preemption of state laws and full authority for state officials to enforce federal protections.
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INFODOC: https://us.list-manage.com/MJjB9g20JYt?e=9153ff6c96&c2id=9a759fc70c6d734a91a2647ef652fab2
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-urges-congress-protect-americans-unchecked-ai-development
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Attorney General Mayes Urges Congress to Protect Americans from Unchecked AI Development
September 24, 2026
PHOENIX - Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in calling on Congress to immediately regulate the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. In a letter sent to Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Attorney General Mayes and the coalition warn that ... Show Full Article PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 26 (TNSida) -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Mayes Urges Congress to Protect Americans from Unchecked AI Development September 24, 2026 PHOENIX - Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in calling on Congress to immediately regulate the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. In a letter sent to Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Attorney General Mayes and the coalition warn thatreports of recent incidents demonstrate that unchecked AI development endangers Americans and poses a potential threat to our financial system, critical infrastructure, and national security. The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass substantive legislation to regulate the AI industry to ensure that development occurs at an intentional pace, incorporates safety and transparency by design, and maintains states' ability to oversee the industry.
"It is far past time for Congress to act on AI regulation," said Attorney General Mayes. "Strict federal oversight and rules for this fast developing industry must be implemented as soon as possible to protect humanity from disaster. Congress should also explicitly prohibit any preemption of state laws designed to protect our residents and give state attorneys general full authority to enforce federal protections related to this technology. No other industry is allowed to act this recklessly with human safety. Congress must act now."
On July 16, Hugging Face, an open-source library and repository, reported that it was being attacked by an unknown third party. Within a week, OpenAI admitted that the attack was waged by its AI agents, which escaped a testing environment and infiltrated Hugging Face using stolen credentials. OpenAI was aware of the agents' capabilities and failed to monitor their activity or stop their exploits. The agents' actions, if perpetrated by a human, would have constituted criminal conduct.
Following the Hugging Face incident, Anthropic and Meta also acknowledged their AI agents had entered the open web and performed dangerous and unlawful actions. This agent behavior has been known to the industry for years and is a direct result of their training. Through a practice called "reinforcement learning," AI labs reward models' achievement of goals and penalize unsuccessful attempts, leading models to take reckless measures to complete the tasks they are given.
These reports have led to some of the AI industry's leading developers calling for regulation. OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer called for "mandatory, capability-based national AI safety regulation." Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged the United States to lead international coordination of AI model development because this effort "will require government support."
Attorney General Mayes and the coalition are calling on Congress to take immediate action to ensure AI development does not lead to irreversible damage or further illegal behavior. In their letter, Mayes and the coalition emphasize that any AI regulatory scheme considered by Congress must include:
* Federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by experts in the field of AI model safety and backed by consistent performance benchmarks;
* Uniform and transparent government-led incident response with public findings that allow the industry to rapidly evolve in response;
* Safety infrastructure and experienced leaders to make critical safety decisions unburdened by profit maximization;
* International cooperation to pace AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence; and
* A prohibition on preemption of state laws and full authority for state officials to enforce federal protections.
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INFODOC: https://us.list-manage.com/MJjB9g20JYt?e=9153ff6c96&c2id=9a759fc70c6d734a91a2647ef652fab2
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-urges-congress-protect-americans-unchecked-ai-development
Ala. A.G. Marshall Urges Congress to Add Women's Sports Protections to College Sports Bill
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 26 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Marshall Urges Congress to Add Women's Sports Protections to College Sports Bill
September 24, 2026
(Montgomery, Ala) - Attorney General Steve Marshall submitted a letter urging House and Senate leadership to support legislative language in an amendment to S.4668, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, that protects the privacy, safety, and opportunities for women student-athletes. The letter was co-led by Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Louisiana ... Show Full Article MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 26 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Marshall Urges Congress to Add Women's Sports Protections to College Sports Bill September 24, 2026 (Montgomery, Ala) - Attorney General Steve Marshall submitted a letter urging House and Senate leadership to support legislative language in an amendment to S.4668, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, that protects the privacy, safety, and opportunities for women student-athletes. The letter was co-led by Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and LouisianaAttorney General Liz Murrill.
"In Alabama, we will not apologize for protecting opportunities that our female athletes have earned. Yet, the inclusion of this language in the Protect College Sports Act is unfortunately necessary to fix the culture of college sports and ensure that only women compete in women's sports," stated Attorney General Marshall.
In the letter, the Attorneys General write, "Republican State Attorneys General have fought tirelessly to close all loopholes that allow men to participate in women's sports, and we have prevailed in the courts. Twenty-seven states currently have laws that prohibit males from playing on women's sports teams. It would be a grave disservice to the people of those states if we do not make clear that they, through their legislatures, remain empowered to enact and enforce such laws."
The Attorneys General continue, "To protect college sports, you have to protect women's sports. As Attorneys General, we have vigorously defended fairness in women's sports and have successfully stood up for women's opportunities, privacy, and safety. We understand this is a challenging problem, and we ask that you speak clearly to ensure that we can continue to enforce state laws that prohibit biological males from competing in female sports."
Along with Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, Attorneys General from the following States joined the letter: Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah.
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INFODOC: https://www.alabamaag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PCSA-Letter.9.22.26-FINAL_.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.alabamaag.gov/attorney-general-marshall-urges-congress-to-add-womens-sports-protections-to-college-sports-bill/
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Attorney General Marshall Urges Congress to Add Women's Sports Protections to College Sports Bill
September 24, 2026
(Montgomery, Ala) - Attorney General Steve Marshall submitted a letter urging House and Senate leadership to support legislative language in an amendment to S.4668, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, that protects the privacy, safety, and opportunities for women student-athletes. The letter was co-led by Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Louisiana ... Show Full Article MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 26 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Marshall Urges Congress to Add Women's Sports Protections to College Sports Bill September 24, 2026 (Montgomery, Ala) - Attorney General Steve Marshall submitted a letter urging House and Senate leadership to support legislative language in an amendment to S.4668, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, that protects the privacy, safety, and opportunities for women student-athletes. The letter was co-led by Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and LouisianaAttorney General Liz Murrill.
"In Alabama, we will not apologize for protecting opportunities that our female athletes have earned. Yet, the inclusion of this language in the Protect College Sports Act is unfortunately necessary to fix the culture of college sports and ensure that only women compete in women's sports," stated Attorney General Marshall.
In the letter, the Attorneys General write, "Republican State Attorneys General have fought tirelessly to close all loopholes that allow men to participate in women's sports, and we have prevailed in the courts. Twenty-seven states currently have laws that prohibit males from playing on women's sports teams. It would be a grave disservice to the people of those states if we do not make clear that they, through their legislatures, remain empowered to enact and enforce such laws."
The Attorneys General continue, "To protect college sports, you have to protect women's sports. As Attorneys General, we have vigorously defended fairness in women's sports and have successfully stood up for women's opportunities, privacy, and safety. We understand this is a challenging problem, and we ask that you speak clearly to ensure that we can continue to enforce state laws that prohibit biological males from competing in female sports."
Along with Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, Attorneys General from the following States joined the letter: Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah.
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INFODOC: https://www.alabamaag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PCSA-Letter.9.22.26-FINAL_.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.alabamaag.gov/attorney-general-marshall-urges-congress-to-add-womens-sports-protections-to-college-sports-bill/
Ala. A.G. Marshall Announces Historic Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement With TikTok
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 26 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Marshall Announces Historic Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement with TikTok
September 25, 2026
(Montgomery, Ala) -- Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today a landmark settlement with social media company TikTok Inc.
Under the settlement, Alabama will receive a minimum of $100 million, due to the state within 45 days, with the potential to receive up to $300 million if certain conditions are met.
In addition to the payment, TikTok must implement ... Show Full Article MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 26 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Marshall Announces Historic Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement with TikTok September 25, 2026 (Montgomery, Ala) -- Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today a landmark settlement with social media company TikTok Inc. Under the settlement, Alabama will receive a minimum of $100 million, due to the state within 45 days, with the potential to receive up to $300 million if certain conditions are met. In addition to the payment, TikTok must implementa host of safety features designed to protect children using its platform. The agreement resolves Alabama's claims that TikTok designed its platform with addictive features, knowingly exposed young users to serious mental harms, and intentionally misled the public about the safety of its platforms, among other things. This settlement is a victory for the protection of Alabama's children and will fundamentally transform how TikTok operates for kids and teens.
"This is a great day for Alabama parents. Tonight, they can rest easier knowing real protections are in place to shield their children from the dangers of social media addiction. TikTok has agreed to give parents real control over what their kids see and how much time they spend on the app," Attorney General Marshall said. "We've said from day one that our number one goal was to stand up for Alabamians when they are being harmed, and today, we did exactly that."
The settlement requires TikTok to implement a series of safety features, including:
* A two-hour daily time limit, with parental controls that allow parents to further limit the amount of time their children spend on TikTok.
* "Productive pauses" that interrupt teen users after 15 minutes of continuous use and again at 60 and 90 minutes to limit endless scrolling.
* "Nighttime access" that restricts children's access from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., plus restrictions on messaging and push notifications overnight and during school hours.
* Robust age assurance measures to more effectively verify the age of young users.
* Stronger content moderation provisions, including limits on discoverability of teen accounts by adults and parental notification of suspicious interactions between teen users and adults.
* A blanket prohibition on the use of cosmetic filters by teen users.
* A default non-personalized feed for teen users.
* Stronger, more user-friendly parental controls.
This is a first-in-the-nation settlement meant to resolve Alabama's case against TikTok, which was scheduled to go to trial Monday. Alabama would have been the first state to bring its claims against TikTok to trial.
This settlement marks the latest victory in Attorney General Marshall's efforts to hold technology companies and social media platforms accountable for putting Alabama consumers, particularly children, at risk. Last month, Attorney General Marshall announced a multi-state settlement with Meta that resolved similar claims that will bring $117 million to Alabama. Attorney General Marshall previously announced a settlement with Roblox that requires stronger protections for children on the online gaming platform and secured $12 million in funding for School Resource Officers. Attorney General Marshall has also recently announced an investigation into OpenAI seeking accountability and understanding of the vulnerabilities that permitted its AI model to hack another American AI company unprompted.
Attorney General Marshall thanked Josh Hayes from Prince Glover Hayes and Rhon Jones from Beasley Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, as well as Chief Counsel Katherine Robertson and Brad Chynoweth, Olivia Martin, Michael Dean and Lindsay Barton from the Alabama Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for their work on this case.
You can read the full settlement here (https://www.alabamaag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2c218616-c8e5-48a0-8b2f-5e771948385d.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.alabamaag.gov/attorney-general-marshall-announces-historic-multi-million-dollar-settlement-with-tiktok/
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Attorney General Marshall Announces Historic Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement with TikTok
September 25, 2026
(Montgomery, Ala) -- Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today a landmark settlement with social media company TikTok Inc.
Under the settlement, Alabama will receive a minimum of $100 million, due to the state within 45 days, with the potential to receive up to $300 million if certain conditions are met.
In addition to the payment, TikTok must implement ... Show Full Article MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 26 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Marshall Announces Historic Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement with TikTok September 25, 2026 (Montgomery, Ala) -- Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today a landmark settlement with social media company TikTok Inc. Under the settlement, Alabama will receive a minimum of $100 million, due to the state within 45 days, with the potential to receive up to $300 million if certain conditions are met. In addition to the payment, TikTok must implementa host of safety features designed to protect children using its platform. The agreement resolves Alabama's claims that TikTok designed its platform with addictive features, knowingly exposed young users to serious mental harms, and intentionally misled the public about the safety of its platforms, among other things. This settlement is a victory for the protection of Alabama's children and will fundamentally transform how TikTok operates for kids and teens.
"This is a great day for Alabama parents. Tonight, they can rest easier knowing real protections are in place to shield their children from the dangers of social media addiction. TikTok has agreed to give parents real control over what their kids see and how much time they spend on the app," Attorney General Marshall said. "We've said from day one that our number one goal was to stand up for Alabamians when they are being harmed, and today, we did exactly that."
The settlement requires TikTok to implement a series of safety features, including:
* A two-hour daily time limit, with parental controls that allow parents to further limit the amount of time their children spend on TikTok.
* "Productive pauses" that interrupt teen users after 15 minutes of continuous use and again at 60 and 90 minutes to limit endless scrolling.
* "Nighttime access" that restricts children's access from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., plus restrictions on messaging and push notifications overnight and during school hours.
* Robust age assurance measures to more effectively verify the age of young users.
* Stronger content moderation provisions, including limits on discoverability of teen accounts by adults and parental notification of suspicious interactions between teen users and adults.
* A blanket prohibition on the use of cosmetic filters by teen users.
* A default non-personalized feed for teen users.
* Stronger, more user-friendly parental controls.
This is a first-in-the-nation settlement meant to resolve Alabama's case against TikTok, which was scheduled to go to trial Monday. Alabama would have been the first state to bring its claims against TikTok to trial.
This settlement marks the latest victory in Attorney General Marshall's efforts to hold technology companies and social media platforms accountable for putting Alabama consumers, particularly children, at risk. Last month, Attorney General Marshall announced a multi-state settlement with Meta that resolved similar claims that will bring $117 million to Alabama. Attorney General Marshall previously announced a settlement with Roblox that requires stronger protections for children on the online gaming platform and secured $12 million in funding for School Resource Officers. Attorney General Marshall has also recently announced an investigation into OpenAI seeking accountability and understanding of the vulnerabilities that permitted its AI model to hack another American AI company unprompted.
Attorney General Marshall thanked Josh Hayes from Prince Glover Hayes and Rhon Jones from Beasley Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, as well as Chief Counsel Katherine Robertson and Brad Chynoweth, Olivia Martin, Michael Dean and Lindsay Barton from the Alabama Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for their work on this case.
You can read the full settlement here (https://www.alabamaag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2c218616-c8e5-48a0-8b2f-5e771948385d.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.alabamaag.gov/attorney-general-marshall-announces-historic-multi-million-dollar-settlement-with-tiktok/