State Attorneys General Take Action on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Programs, Lawsuits, and Digital Safety

A coalition of 17 attorneys general filed an amicus brief in San Francisco AIDS Foundation, et al. v. Trump, et al., opposing President Trump's attempts to block federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs through executive orders. The brief urges the Ninth Circuit to uphold a preliminary injunction blocking the orders and argues that they violate constitutional protections for expression and non-discrimination. A bipartisan coalition of 34 states and the District of Columbia filed an amicus brief in NetChoice, LLC v. Jonathan Skrmetti, defending a Tennessee law aimed at protecting children from social-media-related harms.

Key Takeaways:

A coalition of 17 attorneys general filed an amicus brief in San Francisco AIDS Foundation, et al. v. Trump, et al., opposing President Trump's attempts to block federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs through executive orders.
The brief argues that the orders violate constitutional protections for expression and non-discrimination, and urges the Ninth Circuit to uphold a preliminary injunction blocking the orders.
A bipartisan coalition of 34 states and the District of Columbia filed an amicus brief in NetChoice, LLC v. Jonathan Skrmetti, defending a Tennessee law aimed at protecting children from social-media-related harms.
The brief argues that social-media companies exploit youth vulnerabilities for profit and urges courts to recognize states' authority to safeguard minors online.
A coalition of 22 attorneys general filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims against the Environmental Protection Agency to recover more than $7 billion for money owed to states under the Solar for All program.
The program was established under the Inflation Reduction Act to assist low-income households installing rooftop solar to save on energy bills.
A coalition of 20 attorneys general filed an amicus brief supporting New Jersey in First Choice Women's Resource Centers, Inc. v. Platkin, arguing that state courts-not federal courts-should handle disputes regarding state subpoenas, even when recipients raise First Amendment concerns.

Statistics:

17 attorneys general filed an amicus brief in San Francisco AIDS Foundation, et al. v. Trump, et al.
34 states and the District of Columbia filed an amicus brief in NetChoice, LLC v. Jonathan Skrmetti.
$1.753 million in civil penalties and attorneys' fees was paid by four major plastic bag producers.
$7 billion is being sought by a coalition of 22 attorneys general to recover funds owed to states under the Solar for All program.
Over 4,700 New Yorkers had their personal information exposed in two cybersecurity incidents involving public accounting firm Wojeski & Company.
$60,000 in penalties was paid by Wojeski & Company.
$100,000 in penalties was paid by Angi Inc.
Over $7 million was ordered to be paid by two individuals and their companies for allegedly operating a "probates-for-profit" scheme.

Sources:

Crowell & Moring's State Attorneys General team
San Francisco AIDS Foundation, et al. v. Trump, et al.
NetChoice, LLC v. Jonathan Skrmetti
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
First Choice Women's Resource Centers, Inc. v. Platkin
California Attorney General Bonta
Senate Bill 270, the Environmental Marketing Claims Act, False Advertising Law, and Unfair Competition Law
False Advertising Law, and Unfair Competition Law
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier
Florida Digital Bill of Rights and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez
New York Attorney General Letitia General James
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown
Angi Inc.
Washington Consumer Protection Act