Laws & Regulations

Senators, J-Groups, White House Agree on Shield Law Provisions

Federal legislation to protect reporters from having to reveal confidential sources may be back on track. A markup in the Senate Judiciary Committee, possibly November 5, 2009, could tell.

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Supreme Court Property Rights Case Has Environmental Implications

The Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Dec. 2, 2009. The case, which started with legal action in 2004, involves a dispute over restoration of a stretch of Florida panhandle beaches damaged by storms.

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FOIA Not Fixed Yet: Senate Panel

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) says Congress has to do more to fix the Freedom of Information Act — especially stemming the hundreds of special exemptions created by Congress itself.

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Sen. Schumer Pushes Back Against WH Effort To Weaken Shield Law

A federal law protecting reporters who maintain the confidentiality of their sources is currently stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee as Obama breaks campaign promise.

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Supreme Court Hears Animal Video Case

Some justices skeptically questioned a 10-year-old law, intended to outlaw "crush videos," making it a criminal offense to possess or publish many depictions of cruelty to animals.

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"Supreme Court's Regulatory Takings Case Draws Widespread Interest"

"More than half of the nation's state attorneys general and two dozen interest groups have weighed in on a high-profile regulatory takings case that the Supreme Court will hear in December."

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Source: Greenwire, 10/07/2009

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CA Set To Curb Energy-Guzzling TVs

Flat-screen TVs can be stunningly energy-inefficient. New California standards could shift manufacturing processes significantly.

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Senate Dents Shield Law for Reporters

A de facto filibuster by several Republicans, plus quibbling by some Democrats, caused a long-awaited markup of bill S 448 to end with no action.

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SEJ Joins Amicus Brief on Dangerously Expanded FOIA Exemption

Several media organizations have joined the case of a Puget Sound resident denied information, under the "law enforcement" exemption to FOIA, that would identify the locations and potential blast ranges of explosive ordnance stored in the area.

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New Findings Slow CO2 Sequestration Rule

EPA has been working on regulations designed to protect drinking water from impacts of underground carbon sequestration, but new data and concerns have spurred the agency to open a short new public comment period.

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