Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General Team

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Keith Kautz will serve as the new attorney general (AG) of the state of Wyoming following his appointment by Governor Mark Gordon last week, effective July 7, 2025. Kautz has a long history of civil service in the state, having served as a district court judge for the Eighth Judicial District — covering Converse, Goshen, Niobrara, and Platte counties — for 22 years. His hometown of Torrington falls within this district. In 2015, Governor Matt Mead appointed Kautz as a justice to the Wyoming Supreme Court, where he served until his retirement in March 2024.

What Happened

California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta faces a legal challenge from a union representing state-employed attorneys over his decision to hire an outside law firm for a high-profile climate lawsuit against major oil companies. The California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment (CASE) argue that this decision violates Article VII of the California Constitution, which implicitly mandates that state work traditionally performed by civil service employees should not be outsourced to private entities.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released a report titled “Standing Up for New York Consumers – How New York State and New York City can Strengthen Consumer Financial Protection in the Trump Era,” which called for the strengthening of local consumer financial protections in response to the Trump administration’s recent actions to reduce the regulatory footprint of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau).

Texas Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton announced that General Mills has agreed to remove petroleum-based artificial dyes from its cereals and school food products throughout the U.S. by summer 2026, and from its entire U.S. product line by the end of 2027. The decision follows an investigation launched by Paxton’s office into General Mills, and his office has announced that they are investigating other food companies for similar alleged misconduct.

One of many provisions in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, would place a 10-year “temporary pause” on states’ ability to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). Initially called a moratorium, Senate Republicans changed the characterization of the prohibition to ensure the provision’s passage during the reconciliation process. The changes were at least partially successful, as the proposed “temporary pause” overcame a procedural hurdle when the Senate parliamentarian concluded that it satisfies the “Byrd Rule” and may remain in the bill. The bill now heads to the Senate floor. If enacted, the temporary pause would mark the most significant federal action (or inaction) related to AI.

In a closely contested Democratic primary held on Tuesday, June 17, Virginia state delegate Jay Jones narrowly defeated Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in the race for attorney general. This outcome sets the stage for a November election against Republican incumbent Jason Miyares, who advanced unopposed from his primary.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia recently enjoined Texas Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton from enforcing a pre-litigation subpoena issued to Media Matters for America (Media Matters). The subpoena is related to the Texas AG’s investigation into Media Matters arising out of allegations that the company fraudulently manipulated data after it reported about brand advertisement concerns on X.