Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Monitor – May 15, 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

From Cell Phones to Tractors: The Right to Repair Movement Drives On

By Stephen C. Piepgrass, Brad Weber, and Christy Matelis

In this episode of Regulatory Oversight, Stephen Piepgrass is joined by colleagues Brad Weber and Christy Matelis from the firm’s Antitrust Practice Group to explore the evolving landscape of right-to-repair laws across the United States.

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AI Legislation: The Statewide Spotlight

By Gene Fishel, Kim Phan, Stephen C. Piepgrass, and Chris Willis

Join us for a special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Regulatory Oversight, where Chris Willis, Kim Phan, and Gene Fishel delve into the evolving world of state AI legislation. As AI becomes a pivotal tool in the financial services industry, understanding the implications of new laws is crucial. This episode focuses on Colorado’s comprehensive AI law and its potential influence on other states, exploring key issues such as algorithmic discrimination, privacy, and cybersecurity. Gain insights into best practices for compliance and learn how state attorneys general are stepping up enforcement in the absence of federal action. Don’t miss this informative discussion bridging consumer finance and regulatory oversight.

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Multistate AG Updates

Illinois and Minnesota AGs Join FTC’s Lawsuit Against Private Equity Firm

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team and Jessica Birdsong

Illinois Attorney General (AG) Kwame Raoul and Minnesota AG Keith Ellison have joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a lawsuit to block the acquisition of Surmodics Inc. by GTCR BC Holdings LLC, two major manufacturers of critical medical device coatings. The regulators allege that the merger is anticompetitive, violating Section 7 of the Clayton Act and Section 5 of the FTC Act.

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Single State AG Updates

Price Transparency: Massachusetts Adopts New Consumer Protection Rules

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team and Jay Myers

The Massachusetts attorney general’s (AG) office has finalized new consumer protection regulations aimed at eliminating hidden “junk fees” and improving price transparency. Set to take effect on September 2, the regulations apply across a broad range of industries and are intended to curb alleged practices that obscure the actual cost of goods and services.

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Illinois AG Raoul Reaches $12M Settlement With Alternative Energy Company

By Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team and Kyara Rivera Rivera

On April 16, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a $12 million settlement through a consent decree with Direct Energy Services LLC (Direct Energy). Direct Energy is an alternative retail electric supplier (ARES) and an alternative retail gas supplier (ARGS). Companies like Direct Energy are certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission to sell electricity and gas to residential consumers. This settlement arises from Raoul’s allegations that Direct Energy misled consumers, causing them to pay substantially more for energy than they would have if they had remained with their default public utility company. Specifically, Raoul alleged that Direct Energy falsely promised lower rates, while actually charging energy rates more than 230% higher than the public utility.

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AG of the Week

Josh Kaul, Wisconsin

Josh Kaul was sworn in as Wisconsin’s 45th attorney general (AG) on January 7, 2019. Kaul’s top priority is public safety. Under his leadership, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has worked to combat the opioid epidemic and the increasing use of methamphetamine in Wisconsin, to make schools and communities safer from gun violence, and pass legislation to prevent another backlog of untested sexual assault kits. Kaul is also dedicated to ensuring safe and clean drinking water, combating climate change, and protecting the rights of Wisconsinites.

Kaul served as a federal prosecutor in Baltimore, where he prosecuted murderers, gang members, and drug traffickers. After returning to Wisconsin, he worked to protect voting rights, challenging restrictions on voting in court.

Kaul grew up in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. He attended Yale University, where he majored in history and economics and graduated with honors. He then attended Stanford Law School, serving as president of the Stanford Law Review.

Wisconsin AG in the News:

• On May 9, Kaul, along with 14 other AGs, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent it from bypassing essential environmental reviews for energy projects, arguing that such actions threaten clean water, natural resources, and public health by weakening protections under federal laws like the Clean Water Act.

• On May 8, Kaul, along with 16 other AGs, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the alleged illegal termination of congressionally approved funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, which threatens Wisconsin’s $62.65 million allocation and could negatively impact local jobs, businesses, and environmental progress.

Upcoming AG Events

• May: RAGA | ERC Retreat | Oahu, HI

• May: DAGA | Williamsburg Policy Conference | Williamsburg, VA

• June: RAGA | Summer National Meeting | New York, NY

For more on upcoming AG Events, click here.