Thought Leadership - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt Submits Comments to State Water Board on Streamlining Desalination Facility Permitting

Amid California’s water crisis, Manatt submitted a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board on opportunities for new desalination plants.

California Privacy and AI Roundup: What Passed and What Didn’t

Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom ended the California legislative session by signing over a dozen bills on privacy and AI and vetoing several others.

California Proposes Expansion of Fees and Obligations for Hazardous Waste Handlers

On October 17, 2024, the DTSC held a workshop on draft emergency regulations affecting all hazardous waste handlers in the state, with few exemptions.

CA Climate Disclosure Mandates—Deadlines Hold and the Clock is Ticking

Even California’s “Climate Governor” had concerns about rushing hastily into California’s unprecedented climate disclosure mandate laws.

Manatt Health: Health AI Policy Tracker

The purpose of this quarterly tracker is to identify key federal and state health AI policy activity. Below reflects federal legislative and regulatory activity to date related to AI, and state legislative activity introduced between January 1 and March 31st, 2024.

Smith to Speak at CCEEB 2024 Summer Issues Seminar

Manatt Energy and Environment Partner David C. Smith will participate in a panel discussion with regulators, utilities and environmental advocates on statewide issues.

Colorado Enacts Law Regulating “High-Risk” AI: Here’s What You Should Know

On May 17, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law Colorado Senate Bill 2-205 (SB 205), also known as the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act—making Colorado the second state to enact comprehensive legislation on artificial intelligence (AI), and the first to...

There’s Nothing Weak About the SEC’s “Weakened” Climate Disclosure Mandate

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released its long-awaited climate disclosure mandate for publicly traded companies (Final Rule).

FTC and HHS Send Letter Warning of Risks From Online Tracking Technologies

On July 20, 2023, the OCR at the HHS and the FTC sent a joint letter to approximately 130 hospital systems and telehealth providers to alert them to the “serious privacy and security risks” stemming from the use of online tracking technologies integrated into their websites and mobile apps.

Climate Disclosures: California Mandates Advance in Legislature with Modest Reprieve

Two proposed California laws that would mandate disclosure of climate-warming emissions and organizational “risk” related to climate change moved closer to Governor Newsom’s desk.