Jones Act waiver possibilities appear in the news pretty much every time there is a spike in the price of fuel in the United States. Sure enough, there are reports that the Trump Administration is considering waiving the Jones Act in connection with the Middle East war.        

Seven states have passed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws related to single-use packaging and plastic food serviceware, with other states considering similar legislation. The intent of these laws is to hold the producers of covered materials financially responsible for their ultimate disposal. Certain states are also requiring the reduction of plastic or non-recyclable plastic used in these materials over time. Legislation is in various stages of implementation, and Oregon is the first state to issue fees to producers. In connection with a legal challenge to Oregon’s EPR program, a court recently granted a preliminary injunction, preventing Oregon from enforcing the law against the plaintiff (an industry group) pending resolution of the case. Meanwhile, CalRecycle continues to struggle with finalizing its proposed regulations implementing California’s EPR law, this time withdrawing its proposed regulations to tinker with provisions related to food and agricultural commodities.

On November 13, 2025, following the end of the federal government shutdown, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued guidance that offers much‑needed clarity to issuers, underwriters, and advisors navigating filings made during and immediately after the shutdown. With more than 900 registration statements filed during the shutdown, questions quickly mounted regarding automatic effectiveness, the treatment of missing information under Rule 430A, acceleration mechanics, and the status of filings already in the review pipeline. The staff (the Staff) of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance (the Division) addressed these topics directly through a series of Questions and Answers. This alert explains the guidance, describes the practical implications for capital markets and M&A participants, and recommends near‑term steps to adapt filing and transaction timelines.