Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Monitor – July 10, 2025

State attorneys general increasingly impact businesses in all industries. Our nationally recognized state AG team has been trusted by clients for more than 20 years to navigate their most complicated state AG investigations and enforcement actions.

State Attorneys General Monitor analyzes regulatory actions by state AGs and other state administrative agencies throughout the nation. Contributors to this newsletter and related blog include attorneys experienced in regulatory enforcement, litigation, and compliance. Also visit our State Attorneys General Monitor microsite.

Contact our State AG Team at StateAG@troutman.com.

Troutman Pepper Locke Spotlight

Solicitors General Insights: The Tale of Two Washingtons

By Stephen C. Piepgrass and Jeff Johnson

In this episode of our special Regulatory Oversight: Solicitors General Insights series, Jeff Johnson is joined by District of Columbia Solicitor General Caroline Van Zile and Washington Solicitor General Noah Purcell to discuss their respective offices, and the distinct challenges and focuses of each. Noah shares insights into the Washington Solicitor General’s Office, and Caroline discusses the multifaceted nature of the District of Columbia Solicitor General’s Office, as they balance a diverse array of appellate work and providing legal advice on novel issues.

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American Bar Association’s State and Local Government Law Section Webinar Series: State Attorneys General Enforcement Actions and Litigation: The Unwritten Rules

By Ashley L. Taylor, Jr.

Join Troutman Pepper Locke attorney Ashley Taylor, the co-leader of the firm’s State Attorneys General team, as he participates in part two of the American Bar Association’s State and Local Government Law Section webinar series titled “State Attorneys General Enforcement Actions and Litigation: The Unwritten Rules.” This session will focus on the “Multistate Investigations and Settlements” chapter from the recently published book, Consumer Protection: Understanding Enforcement Actions Brought by State Attorneys General. The webinar aims to delve into the complexities and nuances of enforcement actions initiated by consumer protection staff within state attorneys general offices.

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State AG News

Nevada’s Price-Fixing Bill Veto Sparks Debate

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team and Michael Lafleur

In a recent political development in Nevada, Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed Assembly Bill 44, a legislative effort aimed at curbing alleged price-fixing practices on essential goods and services championed by Nevada Attorney General (AG) Aaron D. Ford.

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California AG Faces Legal Challenge Over Hiring Outside Counsel in Climate Lawsuit

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team, Jessica Birdsong, and Troy Homesley

California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta faces a legal challenge from a union representing state-employed attorneys over his decision to hire an outside law firm for a high-profile climate lawsuit against major oil companies. The California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment (CASE) argue that this decision violates Article VII of the California Constitution, which implicitly mandates that state work traditionally performed by civil service employees should not be outsourced to private entities.

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The Right to Regulate: Kalshi, Federal Preemption, and the Fight for State Gaming Authority

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team and Cole White

A lawsuit between KalshiEx LLC (Kalshi) and New Jersey state gaming regulators in the Third Circuit is testing the balance between federal commodities regulation and state authority regarding sports betting.

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NYC Comptroller Requested Stronger Protections for New Yorkers Amidst Attenuated CFPB Authority

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team, Stefanie Jackman, Chris Willis, and Kyara Rivera Rivera

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released a report titled “Standing Up for New York Consumers – How New York State and New York City can Strengthen Consumer Financial Protection in the Trump Era,” which called for the strengthening of local consumer financial protections in response to the Trump administration’s recent actions to reduce the regulatory footprint of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau).

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AG of the Week

Ken Paxton has served as the 51st attorney general (AG) of Texas since January 2015 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2022. He leads an agency of more than 4,000 employees across 38 divisions and 117 offices statewide, including approximately 750 attorneys who manage more than 30,000 cases each year. His office handles a broad range of responsibilities, including child support enforcement, consumer protection, open government compliance, and representing the state in legal matters.

Early in his tenure, Paxton launched a specialized unit to combat human trafficking. He has also overseen legal efforts addressing opioid abuse and the sale of synthetic drugs in Texas, along with public education initiatives related to these issues.

Before becoming AG, Paxton served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012 and the Texas Senate from 2012 to 2015. He holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from Baylor University and earned his law degree from the University of Virginia. In April 2025, he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

Texas AG in the News:

• On July 7, Paxton issued a consumer alert warning Texans to be vigilant against scammers exploiting the catastrophic flooding in Texas, emphasizing the importance of caution when dealing with contractors and vendors, and ensuring compliance with state laws prohibiting price gouging during declared disasters.

• On June 27, Paxton announced the appointment of William Peterson as solicitor general while congratulating former Solicitor General Aaron Nielson in his new position as tenured professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

Upcoming AG Events

• July: RAGA | Victory Fund Golf Retreat | Pebble Beach, CA

• July: DAGA | Presidential Partners Retreat | Santa Fe, NM

• August: DAGA | Chair’s Initiative | Alaska

For more on upcoming AG Events, click here.