Announcements, information and updates from CWAG Members and Associates
March 7, 2019
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Articles on topics relevant to the work of Attorneys General around the nation.
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Note: Subscription may be required for access
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OPIOID CRISIS
The New York Times
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SPORTS BETTING
RotoGrinders
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CWAG invites you to attend our 2019 Spring Dinner on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Lafayette, Louisiana, in conjunction with Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s NAAG Presidential Initiative Summit.
Attorneys General and private sector supporters will join together for a highly personal and engaging dinner with approximately 15-20 Attorneys General
at The DoubleTree Hotel.
The CWAG 2019 Spring Dinner begins with a reception for all attendees from 6:00pm – 7:00pm in Salon A immediately followed by dinner from 7:00pm – 9:00pm in the Ballroom at The DoubleTree Hotel.
If you need more information or if you have any questions, please contact meeting manager Ale Stephens at
astephens@cwagweb.org
or 303.304.9206.
We hope to see you in Lafayette!
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Kicking Off National Consumer Protection Week, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser Unveils Top 10 Consumer Complaints and Inquiries of 2018
March 4, 2019
In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Phil Weiser unveiled a list of the top 10 consumer complaints of 2018. During the 2018 calendar year, consumers filed 9,110 complaints and inquiries with the Consumer Protection Section of the Office of the Attorney General.
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Nevada Attorney General Ford Warns Parents, Children of ‘Fortnite’ Online Game Scams
March 4, 2019
Attorney General Aaron Ford advises Nevadans to be wary of scams that prey upon users of the popular online game “Fortnite.” Users may play “Fortnite” online across multiple gaming and computer platforms where the objective is to be the last player standing in this survival game that pits users against zombie-like creatures. The game is rated as suitable for children aged 12 and over, but its mass popularity has unwittingly attracted scammers who trick young and experienced users alike into disclosing their personal and identifying data or their parents’ credit card and billing information.
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Idaho Attorney General Wasden Urges Congress to Take Action Against Robocalls
March 5, 2019
Attorney General Lawrence Wasden urged the U.S. Senate to enact the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act. The legislation would curb illegal robocalls and spoofing. A coalition of 54 attorneys general sent a letter to the U. S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in support of the legislation.
Attorneys representing all 50 states as well as Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands signed the letter.
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New Mexico Attorney General Balderas Calls Sale Of Prescription Painkillers Akin to "Legal Drug Dealing"
KOAT News
February 26, 2019
New Mexico's Attorney General, Hector Balderas, says his office is extending a previously filed lawsuit to include some of the country's biggest drugstore chains.
Those companies include Walgreens, CVS, Smith's and Walmart among a dozen other companies named in the lawsuit.
In a news conference, Balderas called the sale of prescription painkillers akin to "legal drug dealing," and vowed to address the problem.
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Florida Attorney General’s Opioid Working Group Releases Final Report
March 1, 2019
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Opioid Abuse Working Group released its final report, highlighting recommendations and best practices for fighting the opioid crisis in Florida. Attorney General Moody launched the working group her first week in office and selected Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma to chair the team of experts from across the state.
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Applauds Executive Order Creating Marijuana Regulatory Agency
March 1, 2019
Attorney General Dana Nessel praised Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2019-7, saying:
“I support Governor Whitmer’s executive order establishing the Marijuana Regulatory Agency. A dedicated state agency that can administer the functions and responsibilities under the medical and recreational (adult-use) marijuana statutes will create numerous efficiencies, including faster processing of marijuana applications, and better serve medical marijuana patients and the developing industry.”
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New Mexico Attorney General Balderas Calls on State Legislature to Protect Victims of Horrific Child Abuse, Pass HB 488
March 1, 2019
Attorney General Hector Balderas called on the New Mexico Legislature to pass House Bill 488, which would require all New Mexicans to report suspicion of child abuse to the proper authorities for prevention and intervention.
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CAL DOJ - ARMED & PROHIBITED PERSONS PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT
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California Department of Justice Releases 2018 Armed and Prohibited Persons Program Annual Report
March 1, 2019
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra released the 2018 Armed and Prohibited Persons (APPS) program annual report.
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The State of California is the first and only state in the nation to have established an automated system for tracking firearm owners who fall into a prohibited status.
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The APPS database works to identify individuals who previously procured firearms but later became prohibited from legally owning them because they were convicted of a felony or a violent misdemeanor, placed under a domestic violence or other restraining order, or suffer from serious mental illness.
Mandated by Senate Bill 140 in 2013, the annual report provides a comprehensive analysis of the APPS database. In order to capture and better display the number of individuals coming into the system, leaving the system, and the current case load, this year’s report also provides a comprehensive assessment of the APPS system, data, and the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Firearms (CA DOJ) enforcement activities.
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Gold King Lawsuit to Compel EPA Cleanup Will Proceed
Federal judge rejects EPA’s arguments to avoid responsibility
March 1, 2019
A federal judge denied EPA’s request to escape liability for the Gold King Mine Blowout, a massive spill of three-million gallons of toxic mining waste in August 2015 that contaminated rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Chief Judge William P. Johnson of the U.S. District Court for New Mexico denied EPA’s motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the states and private parties, rejecting EPA’s arguments that it was immune from liability for the cleanup and damages caused by the Blowout.
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Using Technology to Improve Social Justice
Building on CWAG's Cyber Security efforts, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas’s Chair's Initiative will focus on bringing together leaders from the corporate, nonprofit and government sectors to utilize technology to strengthen our economy and improve public safety outcomes. Expanded collaboration among leading privacy and security researchers, academics, industry representatives, consumer advocates, law enforcement and government entities will address national and international cyber security concerns.
This very important educational initiative is one which explores and expands the multifaceted elements of implementing cyber security programs and protocols. Further, through this effort, impacts on society and often, on those who are most vulnerable, are brought to light as it intersects with public policy, data security and law enforcement actions. Finally, we will examine the gig economy and the impact of disruptive technology as it relates to justice.
Initiative themes will include:
- Protecting Children, Families and Consumers:
- Enhanced enforcement of child online privacy protection laws
- Utilization of technology to assist law enforcement in combatting criminal activities such as fraud and money laundering with the use of biometric facial recognition protocols
- Utilization of technology to address issues specific to economic disparity like tax refunds and expedited Medicare/Medicaid payments
Protecting Personal Data Privacy:
- Strengthening and collaboration of data breach notification laws
- Implementation of safeguards against scams and the emerging electronic consumer marketplace
Protecting Against Human Trafficking:
- Creation of a multi-district communications solution that uses secured and encrypted communications for investigators
- Utilization of a technological tools which enhance and strengthen our ability to conduct investigations and communicate with agents in multiple jurisdictions without fear of having those channels compromised
Through this initiative, state attorneys generals will jointly address cyber security as one of the greatest threats to our nation. An advisory board of stakeholders - to include corporate, nonprofit and technology leaders - will be assembled to provide support and input relating to our economy and the various public safety components of the initiative. General Balderas’s will also use the experienced gained by his office through their current bi-national, multi-state cyber security pilot project supporting the efforts of law enforcement across our international lines.
CWAG Presidential Initiative Summit dates to be announced soon!
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Updated
American Indian Law Deskbook
Is Now Available
The
American Indian Law Deskbook
is a concise, direct, and easy-to-understand handbook on Indian law. The chapter authors of this book are experienced state lawyers who have been involved in Indian law for many years.
American Indian Law Deskbook
addresses the areas of Indian law most relevant to the practitioner.
Topics include:
- Definitions of Indians and Indian tribes
- Indian lands
- Criminal, civil regulatory, and civil adjudicatory jurisdiction
- Civil rights
- Indian water rights
- Fish and wildlife
- Environmental regulation
- Taxation
- Gaming
- Indian Child Welfare Act and tribal-state cooperative agreements
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