Robin Baral

The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a joint proposal updating the definition of “Waters of the United States,” which will be open for public comment after its official publishing in the Federal Register. The proposed rule would narrow the definition of Waters of the United States and include exclusions for determining whether waters and wetlands are subject to permitting under the federal Clean Water Act.

Key Points The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing for increased enforcement of state housing laws, primarily focusing on local governments. The Housing Strike Force announcement is part of an ongoing trend of the state increasing enforcement of state housing laws. On November 3rd, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the creation of a “Housing Strike Force” within the DOJ, as part of DOJ’s effort to advance housing access, affordability, and equity in California.

In 2021, warehouse distribution centers were at the forefront of California law, regulations, and environmental initiatives. These efforts seek to regulate labor practices of warehouse operators and the environmental impacts caused by the expansion and concentration of distribution centers over the last decade. This article summarizes AB 701 and other initiatives in California targeting warehouse distribution operations.