Blog

Category: State Laws and Regulations

DOT Rules
State Laws and Regulations
Matthew Gray

DOT Rules by Agency Explained

FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, PHMSA, and USCG in One Practical Guide. The U.S. Department of Transportation does not operate under one single safety rulebook. Instead, DOT oversees six separate federal agencies, each responsible for a specific transportation sector. Every one of these agencies enforces mandatory drug and alcohol testing, along with operational safety regulations, but

Read More »
Thalidomide Cases DOJ
News
Matthew Gray

DOJ Referral Shakes Long-Running Thalidomide Product Liability Cases in Eastern Pennsylvania Court

For years, the thalidomide litigation in Eastern Pennsylvania has moved like a slow, grinding machine. Motions, expert hearings, discovery disputes, settlement talks that went nowhere, and plaintiffs who have been waiting decades for answers. The pattern broke this week when news emerged that a formal referral had been sent to the US Department of Justice.

Read More »
Blue Envelope Law
State Laws and Regulations
Matthew Gray

“Blue Envelope” Law in Arkansas Helps Drivers with Autism During Traffic Stops

Arkansas lawmakers introduced the Blue Envelope program to create safer conditions for drivers with autism during police encounters. Many individuals on the autism spectrum face sensory overload when exposed to sirens, flashing lights, or sudden instructions. Those moments can cause confusion and silence that officers may misread. The program uses a simple tool. A blue

Read More »
Did You Know It Is Illegal to Kill Bigfoot in Skamania County, Washington
State Laws and Regulations
Matthew Gray

Did You Know It Is Illegal to Kill a Bigfoot in Skamania County, Washington

Did you know a legend once made its way from campfire stories into actual county law? In Washington’s Skamania County, Bigfoot is not only a tale told in the woods. Since 1969, it has been illegal to kill the creature, with penalties that once carried the weight of a felony. What began as local sightings

Read More »
Image of A Federal Court in The Us.
State Laws and Regulations
Matthew Gray

Federal Courts vs State Courts: Jurisdiction, Authority, and Case Types

The United States has two separate court systems that work side by side. Federal courts handle cases tied to the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties. State courts handle cases tied to state constitutions and state laws. Each system has its own structure, judges, and rules about which cases it can hear. Federal courts include

Read More »
Did You Know That It’s Illegal to Cut Cactuses in Arizona
State and County Insights
Matthew Gray

Did You Know That It’s Illegal to Cut Cactuses in Arizona?

If you ever thought about trimming or cutting a cactus in Arizona, think again. State law makes it illegal to chop down certain cacti, even if one grows in your own yard. The saguaro, that tall cactus with arms you see in every desert photo, is the most protected of them all. It takes decades

Read More »