Heirs' property ownership is increasingly unstable and fragmented. In this blog, 3L Senior Staffer Ben Bertram argues for the implementation of the Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Act to protect family-owned farms and ancestral land from forced sales and speculative exploitation. Bertram contends that the procedural adjustments required by the UPHPA are outweighed by the preservation of rural land ownership.
In this blog, 2L staffer Aaron Withers examines Kentucky’s emerging shift from a coal-based economy to advanced nuclear and critical-mineral projects on retired mine sites. He argues that this transition is welcome only if implemented through a community-centered legal framework with strict siting requirements, enforceable local-benefit obligations, and long-term accountability to prevent repeating past harms.
In this blog, 2L staffer Alexander Bowman tackles the issue of whether new equine inspection laws for racehorses should be extended to apply to show horses as well. Bowman discusses the new inspection laws and analyzes the benefits of them. Next, he discusses the potentially injurious effects on show horses without these inspection laws. Bowman recommends that these laws should be applied to show horses in a uniform manner through the creation of a similar independent agency like the KHRGC.
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) remains outdated in excluding invertebrates such as hermit crabs and shrimp, despite mounting scientific evidence of their sentience. To address this gap, 2L staffer Calvin Scott Bailey believes Congress should amend the AWA or direct the USDA to develop welfare standards for decapod crustaceans, aligning U.S. animal welfare law with contemporary science and global reforms.
In this blog, 2L staffer Emma Carlo explains how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently attempting to rescind newly implemented drinking water regulations regarding chemicals known as PFAs. Carlo argues that this deregulation action is indicative of corporate favoritism and proves that water utility companies and the EPA believe the $800 million implementation cost is too expensive to protect the public and the environment. Carlo explains that EPA is acting contrary to its intended purpose, as this deregulation will allow continued exposure to these chemicals for more than 70 million people, despite the high likelihood of adverse health effects from low exposure to PFAS.
Blog By: Ben Bertram
In this blog, 2L Staffer Ben Bertram reviews the Kentucky General Assembly's removal of the bourbon barrel tax, the only tax of its kind in the world. Bertram argues that the decision to phase out this tax eliminated an unnecessary economic barrier for an industry already facing an unreasonably high tax burden. The benefits, Bertram says, will be especially apparent to Kentucky farmers.
Blog By: Sarah Shepherd
With the threat of another farm bill expiration looming over D.C. and rural America, representatives are exploring ways to either expand or cut back on the omnibus legislation. In this blog, 2L Staffer Sarah Shepherd discusses the obstacles of passing a new farm bill, the consequences of cutting SNAP and conservation programs, and the desperate need for Congress to either pass a new, bipartisan farm bill or another extension.
Blog By: Camille Grout
In this Blog, 2L Staffer Camille Grout discuss pending federal litigation against the City of Atlanta for its alleged violation of the Clean Water Act. A vital waterway for thousands of residents in Florida and Georgia alike, the Chattahoochee River has allegedly been polluted by Atlanta’s largest wastewater plant. Grout argues that the City of Atlanta should enter into a new federal consent decree addressing the concerns and preserving the river’s health for generations to come.
Blog By: Thomas Fricker
In this blog, 2L staffer Thomas Fricker discusses the proposal of adding a "Green Amendment" to state constitutions in order to ensure that current and future generations have the constitutional right to a healthy environment. Green Amendments codify the inherent right to an environment that is protected from federal deregulation and industrial interests for current and future generations to enjoy and preserve. Fricker analyzes both sides of the movement and argues that Green Amendments should be included in state constitutions.
Blog By: Emily Sumrall
In this blog, 2L Staffer Emily Sumrall discusses the decades of back and forth between horse trainer Bob Baffert and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, with an emphasis on Baffert's recent suspension following the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Sumrall argues that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission should adopt a stricter procedure in disciplining violations of the rules and regulations governing horse racing in order to promote the health and safety of horses and participants.
Blog By: Luke Price
The SAFE Bet Act aims to establish federal standards for responsible gambling in the rapidly expanding American sports betting industry. In this blog, 2L Staffer Luke Price argues that despite facing opposition, the SAFE Bet Act could benefit the industry by creating a uniform regulatory framework while addressing public health concerns. Price also explores how the Act's provisions, particularly advertising restrictions and limitations on proposition bets, could significantly impact horse betting, potentially reshaping gambling in states like Kentucky.
Blog By: Abigail Barford
In this blog, 3L Staffer Abigail Barford discusses the recently passed Florida legislation which removed the term “climate change” from Florida law and changed the state's energy policies. Barford discusses criticism as well as Governor Ron DeSantis's justifications for the legislation, concluding that the state of Florida, a state heavily impacted by climate change, would benefit from consulting environmental and climate experts when drafting legislation.
Blog By: Sam Hilgeman
In this blog, 2L Staffer Sam Hilgeman argues that the Supreme Court has a unique opportunity to find a balance between reasonable environmental regulation and providing an efficient review process for major infrastructure projects. Hilgeman focuses on the broad scope permitted to government agencies in the environment effects they must address that create burdensome hurdles for developers to overcome.
Blog By: Grace McDonald
Greenwashing is a deceitful advertising tactic that businesses use by making misleading claims about their environmental impact for financial gain. In this blog, 3L Staffer Grace McDonald discusses that the United States' current regulations are ineffective, and greenwashing litigation continues to rise. McDonald asserts that it is time for the United States to enact stricter greenwashing regulations like that of the EU in order for consumers to trust the "eco-friendly" products they see on the shelves.
