Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Monitor – July 31, 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

2025 Mid-Year Review: State AGs in a New Era

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team

The United States is navigating a new era of regulatory oversight and the balance of power between federal and state regulators following the 2024 election cycle. As federal agencies retreat from and/or realign their regulatory enforcement priorities, state attorneys general (AGs) are increasingly taking the lead in policing companies — especially those that are consumer-facing — bridging perceived gaps left by shifting federal priorities, and in some cases, emboldened to expand regulatory enforcement into relatively new arenas.

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Understanding BBB Ratings: Building Trust and Mitigating Risks

By Stephen Piepgrass, Mike Yaghi, and Dan Waltz

In this episode of Regulatory Oversight, we kick off a two-part series on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Stephen Piepgrass, Michael Yaghi, and Dan Waltz explore the significance of the BBB for businesses, particularly in relation to regulatory scrutiny and consumer trust. The conversation begins with an overview of the BBB as a quasi-governmental agency, emphasizing its role in consumer complaints and how these are perceived by regulators, including state attorneys general.

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State AG News

Healthline Proposed Settlement Informs Businesses of What Not to Do

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team, David Navetta, Bianca Nalaschi, and Dan Waltz

On July 1, California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta announced a significant proposed settlement with Healthline Media LLC (Healthline) — a prominent website publisher of health information and wellness articles. The proposed settlement follows allegations that Healthline’s use of online tracking technology violated the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). This is the third action under the CCPA announced by Bonta this year.

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AG of the Week

Dana Nessel, Michigan

Dana Nessel, Michigan’s 54th AG, was sworn in on January 1, 2019. She began her legal career as an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County, where she handled complex cases in units such as Child & Family Abuse and Police Conduct Review. In 2005, she founded her own legal firm, focusing on defending indigent defendants and pursuing civil rights actions against police departments and government agencies.

Nessel is widely recognized for her advocacy on LGBTQ issues. She founded the Fair Michigan Foundation and co-created the Fair Michigan Justice Project with Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy, focusing on investigating and prosecuting hate crimes against the LGBTQ community.

Her dedication to civil rights has earned her numerous accolades, including the “Champion of Justice” award from the Michigan State Bar Association, “Woman of the Year” from Michigan Lawyers Weekly, and the “Treasure of Detroit” award from Wayne State University Law School. Nessel is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School. She resides in southeast Michigan with her family.

Michigan AG in the News:

• As part of a coalition of 21 AGs, Nessel announced a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s attempt to gain access to personal and sensitive information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.
• Nessel expressed gratitude for the swift response of local authorities and community members following a violent incident at a Walmart in Grand Traverse County, offered support to the prosecutor handling the case, and encouraged affected residents to utilize available counseling services.
• Nessel announced the arraignment of a Harper Woods man and Southfield woman related to allegations of defrauding the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program.

Upcoming AG Events

• August: AGA | Chair’s Initiative | Alaska
• September: RAGA | Fall National Meeting | Miami, FL
• September: DAGA | Denver Policy Conference | Denver, CO

For more on upcoming AG Events, click here.