Earth Day provides an opportunity to reflect on environmental and sustainability topics, including recently proposed legislation in the Rhode Island General Assembly including efforts to enshrine a right to a clean and healthy environment in the state constitution, reform of the Coastal Resources Management Council, and to expand renewable energy development on brownfields or other
Corporate & Commercial
House Bill No. 5794 – Proposed Changes to the Permitting Process in Rhode Island
On February 27, 2025, the Rhode Island General Assembly announced a 12-bill package, aimed at addressing housing issues faced by the state of Rhode Island. This marks the fifth package of housing bills introduced since 2021 and builds upon the slate of housing-related bills passed in August 2024, pursuant to a package of legislation introduced…
Guidance on DEI for Federal Contractors and Grant Recipients
Many federal contractors and grant recipients are seeking guidance regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) in the wake of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding President Trump’s Executive Orders on DEI (“DEI Executive Orders”) while the case proceeds on appeal. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed a District Court preliminary injunction which would…
Advantages and Limitations of Dash Cam Footage in Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
In recent years, more and more businesses and individuals are using dash cameras in their vehicles. These cameras generally point forward through the windshield of a vehicle and record footage which can be saved and accessed later in the event of an accident. Such footage often becomes crucial evidence in litigation arising from motor vehicle…
Rhode Island’s First Asbestos Verdict in Nearly 40 Years
For the first time in nearly 40 years, an asbestos case was tried to verdict in Rhode Island. This case, The Estate of Bonnie Bonito, resulted in a full defense verdict!
I. Factual Background
Plaintiffs alleged that Bonnie Bonito died of mesothelioma caused by her exposure to asbestos from laundering her ex-husband’s work clothes for…
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and Offshore Wind Contract Disputes
Dueling Executive Orders
In recent weeks, outgoing President Joe Biden and incoming President Donald Trump each issued a Presidential Memorandum to withdraw extensive areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for future energy development. President Biden withdrew over 625 million acres from future leasing for offshore oil and gas development on January 6, 2025. On…
Historic Housing Bill Changes Residential Zoning Law in Massachusetts
On August 6, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed into law, the Affordable Homes Act, (H.4977) authorizing nearly $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years with approximately 49 policy initiatives to counter rising housing costs in the Commonwealth and create more affordable housing in Massachusetts. Importantly, effective February 2, 2025, the bill includes a…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Fee Changes – What You Need to Know
The USPTO has announced fee increases and new fees for patents and trademarks to take place on January 18, 2025, for trademarks, and January 19, 2025, for patents. The increase in fees and the introduction of new fees by the USPTO is significant, necessitating careful budget considerations requiring many applicants to adjust filing and prosecution…
Rhode Island’s Electronic Monitoring in Nursing and Assisted Facilities Act
Rhode Island’s Electronic Monitoring in Nursing and Assisted Facilities Act (the “Act”) will become effective January 30, 2025.[1] The Act allows for installation and use of electronic monitoring devices, including any photo, video, and/or audio surveillance equipment with a fixed position, that broadcasts or records activities or sounds occurring in a facility resident’s room…
The Future of Realtor Commissions: Understanding the NAR Settlement
Background.
In October 2023, a federal jury in Missouri found that the National Association of Realtors (the “NAR”), along with several brokerages, conspired to inflate realtors’ commissions. The findings concluded that the NAR’s cooperative compensation policies and other policies restricting the negotiation of commissions incentivized buyers’ agents to steer clients toward homes with higher commissions…