In a settlement approved by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board on November 13, the City of Oceanside agreed to pay a $1.5 million fine for two separate spills that sent raw sewage into the Buena Vista Creek...more
In City of New York v Ball, 2024 NY Slip Op 24179 [Sup Ct, Albany County 2024], the Albany County Supreme Court upheld a determination of the Commissioner (“Commissioner”) of the Department of Agriculture and Markets...more
In May 2023, Florida became among the first states to limit select persons from "foreign countries of concern" from directly or indirectly owning, having a controlling interest in or acquiring an interest in Florida real...more
Climate change threatens to dramatically shrink the amount of water California can deliver over the next 20 years and could significantly reduce supplies available from the State Water Project according to new projections...more
Chemical and manufacturing groups sued the federal government on Monday over a landmark drinking water standard that would require cleanup of certain PFAS, so-called forever chemicals, which have been linked to cancer and...more
The House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry issued their frameworks for the 2024 Farm Bill on May 1, 2024. The House approach emphasizes enhancements to the farmer safety...more
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report on Jan. 18, 2024, evaluating foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land. The report found that foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land grew to over 40...more
In the world of farming and ranching, ensuring your land's future is vital. That's where agricultural estate planning comes in. It's all about smoothly transitioning your farm or ranch to the next generation, maintaining its...more
After deciding in a prior appeal in the same case that offsite agricultural conservation easements (ACEs) were not effective at reducing a project’s conversion of agricultural land, the Fifth Appellate District held that ACEs...more
While imagery of the American Dream used to be picturesque farm towns, robust bounties and families gathered around the table for a meal, values have shifted, and once-robust farming communities have become forgotten lands,...more
Florida enacted Senate Bill (SB) 264 in May 2023, creating Chapter 692, Florida Statutes (the Act), to limit select persons from "foreign countries of concern" from owning, having a controlling interest in or acquiring an...more
In a partially published (but mostly unpublished) opinion filed on March 7, 2024, the Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s judgment and writ-discharge order which had upheld Kern County’s most recently...more
Our previous Client Alert discussed assessable transfers of interest or “ATIs” and Fee in Lieu of Tax “FILOT” Agreements in the aftermath of significant amendments to South Carolina’s Tax Code in 2022. As discussed...more
Certains problèmes mondiaux qui ont marqué les dernières années, dont les relations internationales tendues, les perturbations des transports et l’imprévisibilité climatique, ont mis la sécurité alimentaire au premier plan....more
Global issues in recent years, such as strained international relations, transportation disruptions and climate unpredictability, have placed food security in the spotlight. These factors may give rise to policy and potential...more
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued its report on the national security implications of how the US government collects, shares, and considers foreign purchases and ownership of US agricultural land. It...more
Although colder weather makes spring construction seem far away, farmers and landowners would be wise to assess permitting and in-field environmental studies ahead of spring planting needs....more
On January 18, 2024, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a public report that found the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not share timely data on foreign investments in agricultural land with...more
KEY FACTS OF REAL ESTATE ACQUISITIONS UNDER LATVIAN LAW - I. STANDARD FORMS OF AGREEMENT - A. Offer to Purchase sets forth Buyer's offer of price and date for closing. Seller may accept or reject. B. The purchase...more
What we grow and produce in America affects our air, water, climate, wildlife, public health, and more. The Farm Bill is likely the most significant environmental law Congress will address this year. This is the first of four...more
KEY FACTS OF REAL ESTATE ACQUISITIONS UNDER HUNGARIAN LAW- 1. Types of real estate transactions - In the Hungarian market, the typical types of real estate transactions can be differentiated as follows. 1.1 Transfer...more
As previously reported, regulations and restrictions on Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) have expanded quickly in the United States and in many of its trading partner countries around the world. FDI has been further...more
On December 12, 2023, the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (the “Committee”), led by Chairman Mike Gallagher (WI), issued a wide-ranging report with...more
This past July, Florida became the latest state to adopt legislation with the goal of restricting foreign governments and individuals from real property ownership. Florida’s controversial new bill, SB 264, Interests of...more
The H-2A program plays a significant role in supporting the agricultural industry in the United States, including North Carolina. The program is instrumental because domestic labor often falls short in meeting the demands for...more