In the latest episode of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, Healthcare & Life Sciences attorneys Michael Werner and Sara Klock examine pivotal shifts in U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.This episode explores updates in three crucial areas: the regulation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs), the proposed reclassifying of cannabis to a Schedule III drug by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the FDA's evolving approach to artificial intelligence (AI). It also covers the FDA's revised guidance on new dietary ingredient notifications (NDINs) for dietary supplements. The discussion provides a comprehensive overview of these significant regulatory updates, breaking down potential impacts and exploring opportunities for industry engagement in influencing upcoming changes.

In this episode of our Eyes on Washington Podcast Special Miniseries about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), national security attorney Dan Sennott sits down with corporate and securities attorney David Cole and public policy attorney Paul Stimers. Their discussion centers around general themes in the fiscal year 2024 (FY 2024) NDAA related to emerging technology.

In this episode of our Eyes on Washington Podcast Special Miniseries about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), National Security attorney Dan Sennott is joined by Government Contracts attorney Eric Crusius. Their conversation focuses on cybersecurity provisions in the FY24 NDAA and what those provisions may indicate about future Department of Defense (DoD) priorities, regulations and policies.This Eyes on Washington Podcast Special Miniseries breaks down the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is the yearly authorization of funding and policy for the entire Department of Defense (DoD). Hosted by attorney Dan Sennott, this miniseries delves deep into the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) NDAA, its wide-reaching provisions, policy initiatives and the associated laws being passed in Congress. In each episode of this miniseries, Holland & Knight attorneys will tackle specific topics and themes in the FY24 NDAA.

This episode was originally released on September 28, 2023 | In this episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, Senior Policy Advisor Lauren Maddox sits down with Andy Rotherham, co-founder and partner at Bellwether Education Partners, a national nonprofit organization working to support educational innovation. Their conversation takes a deep dive into the rises and pitfalls taking place in the education space today. Topics discussed include how the U.S. can improve its education system, the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning and school systems, and the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. Mr. Rotherham shares final thoughts on the challenges and changes being faced in education to wrap up the conversation.

This episode was originally released on September 25, 2023 | In this episode of the "Eyes on Washington" podcast series by Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group, Healthcare and Life Sciences attorneys Michael Werner and Sara Klock discuss recent developments in marijuana, particularly federal legislation and the regulation of cannabis products in the United States. This conversation focuses on the possible rescheduling of marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the impact that change could have on the industry at large, especially in states where marijuana use is already legal. While the timeline isn’t explicit, Mr. Werner and Ms. Klock emphasize that the regulatory environment is likely to undergo a number of changes in the next couple years and beyond. They also explain how the rescheduling process works and which regulatory bodies and federal agencies play a major role. The discussion concludes with insightful recommendations for industry stakeholders, including growers, distributors, state governments and researchers.

This episode was originally released on August 28, 2023 | This episode of the "Eyes on Washington" podcast series by Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group is presented by attorneys Halley Townsend, Andy Kriha and Alex Holtan of the firm's Greenwashing Mitigation Team. Their conversation focuses on recent actions by the U.S. Commodity Futures Exchange Commission (CFTC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the carbon markets space. They discuss the CFTC's new Environmental Fraud Task Force, the FTC's updates to the Green Guides and how both could impact businesses' trade and carbon offsets. They offer detailed insight on how these agencies exercise their authority, how those enforcement actions may change or stay the same and ultimately what impact the heightened scrutiny will have on the decarbonization efforts of U.S. businesses.

This episode was originally released on August 23, 2023 | This episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series is guest hosted by the co-chairs of the firm's ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) practice, Renee Lewis and David Pardys. They are joined by tax attorney Joshua Odintz to discuss a recent press release issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) warning businesses and tax professionals to be alert to a range of compliance issues that can be associated with ESOPs. This conversation outlines the key components of the press release and how it impacts the ESOP community.

This episode was originally released on July 6, 2023 | In this episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, energy attorneys Andy Kriha and Susan Lafferty provide an update on the Renewable Fuel Standard final rule. Their conversation delves into key changes regarding Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs), electric Renewable Identification Numbers (e-RINs), feedstocks and more.

This episode was originally released on June 26, 2023 | In this episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, attorneys Meaghan Colligan and Andy Kriha and Public Affairs Advisor Hannah Coulter introduce Holland & Knight's Greenwashing Mitigation Team. Their conversation provides an overview of existing greenwashing law and outlines the capabilities of the firm's multidisciplinary team. This episode also covers a number of recent developments related to greenwashing, including forthcoming changes to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides).

This episode was originally released on May 22, 2023 | In this episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, energy attorney Taite McDonald is joined by Jigar Shah, executive director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO). Their conversation covers the latest LPO updates, including recent changes to Title 17, fees and the overarching future of the program.

This episode was originally released on May 29, 2023 | In this episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, energy attorneys Andy Kriha and Alex Holtan discuss new voluntary carbon markets. Their conversation covers the building blocks of a market, current issues and regulations, as well as predictions on what the future holds for avoidance-based and removal-based offsets.

This episode was originally released on May 15, 2023 | In this episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, energy attorneys Andy Kriha and Susan Lafferty take a deep dive into state Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) programs. Specifically, their conversation provides helpful insight into the latest LCFS-related updates taking place in California, Oregon and Washington.

This episode was originally released on February 8, 2023 | In this episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, energy attorneys Andy Kriha and Alex Holtan talk all things state and federal cap-and-trade programs. Their conversation covers the launch of Washington's cap-and-invest program, proposed cap-and-trade program in New York, the status of Virginia and Pennsylvania's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), as well as the status of California's cap-and-trade program.

This episode was originally released on January 25, 2023 | In this episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "Eyes on Washington" podcast series, energy attorneys Andy Kriha and Susan Lafferty take a deep dive into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) landmark proposed rule to update the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Their conversation provides insight into the proposed changes to some of the hottest industry topics: Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) on electricity produced from biogas, Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) and separated food waste recordkeeping.

This episode was originally released on December 22, 2022 | In this post-election special edition episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "The Eyes on Washington" podcast series, Partners Joel Roberson and Michael Friedberg, alongside Senior Policy Advisor Lauri Hettinger, discuss how committees throughout both the House and Senate will take up transportation issues following the midterm elections and subsequent changes in leadership. They delve into the shuffling of committee and subcommittee positions from both parties, how these changes will impact FAA Reauthorization and the legislative agendas both Republicans and Democrats will seek to accomplish during the upcoming Congress.

This episode was originally released on December 21, 2022 | In this post-election special edition episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "The Eyes on Washington" podcast series, healthcare attorneys Sara Klock and Michael Werner discuss how the elections will impact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and what can be expected in terms of agency regulation and related legislation. The conversation takes an in-depth look at FDA's stance on digital health products, cannabis and laboratory developed tests. Our hosts also express that the industry should be prepared for an uptick in enforcement and explain how Holland & Knight guides clients through the regulation process.

This episode was originally released on December 19, 2022 | In this post-election special edition episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "The Eyes on Washington" podcast series, Partner Elizabeth Craddock and Senior Policy Advisor Beth Viola discuss the general energy and climate legislative landscape heading into the 118th Congress. From the newly enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to the potential reauthorization of the PIPES Act, this episode focuses on the many changes happening in the energy and climate space, as well as the impact these changes will have on the oil and gas, and renewable energy industries as a whole.

This episode was originally released on December 16, 2022 | In this post-election special edition episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "The Eyes on Washington" podcast series, Senior Public Affairs Advisor Isabel Lane interviews Senior Policy Advisor Beth Viola about her time at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), most commonly referred to as COP27. Hosted in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, COP27 was a two-week gathering of diplomats, lawmakers, industry leaders and other shareholders focused on addressing climate change on a global level. Ms. Viola, who has been engaged in the COP process since 1997, shared insight on this year's COP and what it means for U.S. businesses moving forward. The primary issue at the center of COP27 was loss and damages, which was driven by the developing world wanting to ensure they receive compensation for the direct impacts of climate change they have faced, as well as continued funds to help them mitigate potential issues going forward.Ms. Viola shares details about the day-to-day experience on the ground in Sharm El-Sheikh, and emphasized her excitement about the increased participation from C-suite executives and industry leaders in key dialogues and negotiations throughout the COP. She also discusses the status of U.S.-Chinese cooperation on climate change and the international impact of a new emphasis on U.S. domestic production. Lastly, Ms. Viola touches on the implications of Egypt as a host country and what is to be expected at COP28 in Dubai.

This episode was originally released on December 14, 2022 | In this post-election special edition episode of Holland & Knight Public Policy & Regulation Group's "The Eyes on Washington" podcast series, Senior Policy Advisors Lauren Maddox and Shawna Watley discuss the future of education policy following the midterm elections. With the Republicans gaining control in the House, Ms. Maddox outlines who is expected to lead the Committee on Education and Labor and what key agenda items will be a focus for the party. She also explains the ways in which the shift in power may affect how the Committee functions. Ms. Watley follows up with an update from the Democratic perspective, as that party will maintain control in the Senate. She discusses key pieces of legislation that will remain top of mind for Democrats, including student loan reform and forgiveness, funding for the CHIPS Act and grant opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). They conclude their conversation by highlighting where Republican and Democrat priorities overlap and where bipartisan progress can be made in the 118th Congress. *Please note: information regarding Congresswoman Virginia Foxx's waiver has changed since the time of recording.

This episode was originally released on December 12, 2022 | In this post-election special edition episode of our Public Policy & Regulation Group's "The Eyes on Washington Podcast" series, energy and environment attorney Taite McDonald and energy policy advisor Elizabeth Noll talk about the election impacts and what to expect for the energy and environment sector. Ms. Noll and Ms. McDonald discuss how the election outcome will impact the prospects for clean energy and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding moving forward. In addition, Ms. Noll, who focuses on the DOE and other agencies across the federal government with regard to energy and clean tech and energy innovation, explains how community benefit plans and Environmental Justice40 (EJ40) will be affected by the changes in Congress. Mr. McDonald, who served at Department of Energy and the Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Office, also covers topics regarding appropriations and funding for the federal government and provides helpful for businesses to build government strategies.