Perkins Coie

FCC Takes Steps To Combat Digital Discrimination

Equal access to high-quality, affordable broadband internet service has never been more critical, particularly as Americans increasingly rely on broadband for everything from work and education to healthcare and entertainment.

EU Takes Step Toward Approval of EU-US Data Privacy Framework

As U.S.-based companies await a decision by the European Union (EU) regarding data transfers, the European process for approving the EU-U.S. data privacy framework has progressed a step.

Washington Court Reaffirms Appraisal as Remedy for Shareholders Challenging a Merger

In an unpublished decision issued on January 3, 2023, Division I of the Washington Court of Appeals strongly reaffirmed Washington law providing that, absent a showing of fraudulent corporate conduct or certain procedural irregularities, appraisal is the exclusive remedy for a shareholder of a Washington corporation seeking to challenge a corporate merger transaction.

2023 Illinois Employment Law Changes

Illinois employers will face a host of new requirements in 2023.

PFAS and Food Packaging: The State of Regulation

In the absence of comprehensive federal legislation, states have started to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging. This Update provides an overview of the current regulatory landscape.

Illinois Moves Toward Paid Leave for Any Reason

The Illinois legislature, on January 10, 2023, passed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLFAW), which Governor Pritzker announced he will sign into law.

FERC Proposes To Update Its Backstop Siting Authority for Electric Transmission Facilities

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on December 15, 2022, issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to update its regulations governing backstop siting authority for electric transmission projects.

Sweeping Appropriations Act of 2023 Makes Unprecedented Investments in AI

Perhaps missed over the holidays, the mammoth $1.7 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (the Act) was signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022. It includes record levels of funding for a wide range of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) initiatives across the federal government.

On the Menu: Food Allergen Disclosures for Restaurants and Food Service

Federal law already requires disclosure of the nine major food allergens on packaged food products: milk, eggs, fish, seafood, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and sesame.

FCC Proposes To Strengthen Data Breach Notification Rules for Telecom Operators

In response to the increased frequency and severity of data breaches in the telecommunications industry, the Federal Communications Commission recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks to strengthen and broaden its breach notification rules arising from the unauthorized disclosure of customer proprietary network information (CPNI).

The Biden Rule: Redetermining Where Water Ends and Land Begins

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (Corps) jointly announced on December 30, 2022, the latest final rule (Rule) that attempts to define “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Rule will take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

Four Data Security Safeguards the FTC Would Like Companies To Adopt in 2023

Data security will undoubtedly remain an enforcement priority for the Federal Trade Commission in 2023.