Industrials Regulatory News and Trends - March 7, 2025
Welcome to Industrials Regulatory News and Trends. In this regular bulletin, DLA Piper lawyers provide concise updates on key developments in the industrials sector to help you navigate the ever-changing business, legal, and regulatory landscape.
Administration rolls back one part of its transportation funding policy. The Trump Administration reversed its earlier announcement that it would require that state transportation plans undergo additional federal scrutiny when states seek to revise those plans. That change from longstanding policy had raised concerns about potential delays or cancellations of funding for infrastructure projects. Historically, states have enjoyed considerable autonomy and discretion in using federal transportation funds allocated to the states, with regional federal offices conducting swift reviews of changes. The news of the rollback was communicated to state transportation officials on February 28 by Joung Lee of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Senator introduces bill to limit EPA power to use a key database. On February 18, US Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the No Industrial Restrictions in Secret (No IRIS) Act to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from using data from its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) to make rules that he says would punish America’s chemical manufacturing industry. “For four years, the Biden administration weaponized the EPA’s IRIS program against America’s chemical industry,” Kennedy said. “My bill would prevent this kind of abuse from happening again and safeguard American businesses from government overreach.” The No IRIS Act would prohibit the federal government from using the IRIS program to inform its rulemakings unless Congress explicitly authorizes the action. Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) is leading the companion legislation in the US House of Representatives.
Meet the Trump Administration’s new antitrust enforcers. President Trump’s nominees to lead the Federal Trade Commission and its Antitrust Division – respectively, Andrew Ferguson, previously a Commissioner, and nominee Gail Slater – are seasoned antitrust experts who are expected to remain active enforcers. Furthermore, both agencies are expected to remain active in their core missions of merger and cartel enforcement. See our alert.
State bill would shield carpet manufacturers from PFAS litigation. HB 211, the PFAS Receiver Shield Act, has been introduced to the Georgia state legislature. The bill would give immunity to Georgia-based carpet manufacturers from litigation involving PFAS. The bill was introduced by Representative Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), whose district is home to some of the world’s largest flooring and carpet manufacturers. Carpenter stated, “I’m not trying to take people’s right away from being made whole, but I am trying to make it so that it’s the most efficient, economical way for people to get resolution without breaking the bank.”
America First Investment Policy memo aims to improve CFIUS processes, add restrictions on outbound investment by US persons. Confirming the federal government’s long-standing view that “economic security is national security,” President Trump on February 21 issued the America First Investment Policy memorandum, directing substantial changes with regard to both the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and the Outbound Investment Security Program (Outbound Investment Regulations). The proposed changes place a greater emphasis on encouraging investments by US allies and partners while continuing the trend of restricting investment activity with “foreign adversaries.” Our alert tells you more.
