Announcements, information and updates from CWAG Members and Associates
UPCOMING EVENTS
2017 CWAG Annual Meeting Registration Now Open!
San Francisco, CA
July 30- August 2, 2017

The Conference of Western Attorneys General along with CWAG Chair and Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin invite you to the 2017 CWAG Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA, July 30-August 2, 2017. Join your colleagues as CWAG explores the most pertinent legal issues during the days and spend the evenings enjoying the urban charm of the city at our social events.

To register online use the following link: 2017 CWAG Annual Meeting Registration
 
If you have attended an annual meeting in the past few years your contact information has been saved in the registration system.  Please review your contact information during the registration process to make sure it is current.
 
To register go to "Sign In" and enter the email address and password you or your assistant previously provided. If you can't recall your password, click on the "Forgot Password" link and your password will be sent to the email that is saved in the system.
 
If you have not previously registered for the annual meeting go to "New Registration", enter your email and create a personal password to be used for future registrations.
 
Early Bird Registration :
Early bird registration ended on June 2nd. All registrations received after this date will be charged the regular registration fee. 
 
Onsite Registration:
Pre-registering for primary attendees and guests who would like to attend any of the substantive or social opportunities is required. CWAG must make commitments to the hotel and activity vendors based on pre-registered guests prior to our arrival. The registration fees cover the cost of activities and meals at the conference which have been pre-arranged. Given the necessity of pre planning, we will not be accepting any onsite registrations. 
 
Hotel room cutoff: 
If the room block sells out prior to that time, reservations will be accepted on a space available basis. The reservation number for the Westin St. Francis is 1.888.627.8546. Ask for the CWAG room block to receive our discounted rates.
 
Draft agenda now available! 
 
FIGHTING OPIOID ABUSE 
CWAG Associate Attorney General Mike Hunter of Oklahoma is working to get the right people at the table to holistically address the opioid addiction epidemic the state is facing, as part of a task force dedicated to preventing and treating substance abuse. It's important to tackle both demand and supply in order to combat widespread opioid abuse and reduce drug-related deaths, Attorney General Hunter said. Representatives from several health care segments said they're ready to provide guidance and input to Hunter and his staff. First he's looking at supply. He'll gather data from the state mental health agency and from the narcotics control agency on how much of the drugs are obtained legally from prescriptions and how much comes from black market sources. He's also seeking recommendations from physicians and pharmacists on how to monitor and to control legal supply. "My approach to that will be a concerted, collaborative way to develop a well-organized state and federal approach on the law enforcement side," Attorney General Hunter said. Fighting opioid abuse is critical to help reduce the strain on the criminal justice system, to help people get the treatment they need and help families who are affected. 
SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF CRIME
CWAG Attorney General Tim Fox of Montana announced a new webpage to assist local law enforcement and county prosecutors with Marsy's Law implementation and compliance, as well as provide victims and victim advocates with information and resources about the new law. "Our Marsy's Law webpage is a one-stop shop for victims, victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors and anyone else interested in how the law works," said Attorney General Fox. "We want to assist local law enforcement and prosecutors with Mary's Law implementation to the best of our ability, and this webpage will be a fantastic resource to better ensure compliance." The webpage is one of multiple efforts by the attorney general's office to assist with compliance. Other efforts included facilitating legislative efforts (HB600), training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, and speaking engagements to educate and raise awareness.
FIGHTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
CWAG Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman of Colorado joined survivors and advocates at the signing of  SB17-126, which will create a statewide domestic violence fatality review board to examine cases of domestic violence in Colorado that resulted in one or more fatalities. The goal of the domestic violence fatality review process is to learn from tragedy by looking at the complex dynamics when a fatality occurs in order to determine how to prevent future tragedies of intimate partner violence. The findings can be integrated into training for professionals, utilized to improve intervention efforts, and to help determine what revised policies may be needed across the state. "Colorado is blessed to have incredible community leaders who work tirelessly to prevent the scourge of domestic violence and sexual assault in our state," said Attorney General Coffman. "As government representatives, domestic violence advocates and citizens, we must always be asking ourselves what we can do better. I believe that by working collaboratively with a diverse group from across our state, the review board will help us better understand the root causes of domestic violence in our communities, and help prevent these unthinkable tragedies from happening in the future."
PUBLIC RECORDS
CWAG Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum of Oregon announced that the Oregon House unanimously passed the Attorney General's public record reform legislation, Senate Bill 481. The bill will now move to the Governor's desk. "When it comes to public records requests, Oregonians are entitled to both transparency and timeliness. I am proud to have spearheaded the most significant reform to our public records law in over 40 years," said Attorney General Rosenblum. "When the Governor signs this bill into law, for the first time ever there will be deadlines by which records requests must be acknowledged and records turned over by public agencies--or an explanation must be given for any delay. My office will be charged with cataloguing all exemptions that are spread out throughout the Oregon statutes. I'd like to thank all of our legislative sponsors for their support championing these important changes." The Attorney General's office will be tasked with cataloguing all 500-plus public record exemptions spread throughout the Oregon statutes.
FIGHTING PUBLIC CORRUPTION  
CWAG Associate Attorney General Steve Marshall of Alabama announced that two former employees of the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (GC Board) each has been sentenced to serve three years in prison for ethics violations and criminal possession of forged instruments. "The people of Alabama deserve honest services from their State government. These defendants breached the public's trust and have now been held to account through the hard work of my Special Prosecution Division," said Attorney General Marshall. "The court's imposition of a prison sentence sends a strong message that violations of the Alabama Ethics Act will not be tolerated." The GC Board protects the safety and welfare of all Alabamians by insuring that general contractors who perform large projects such as schools, hotels, and highways, meet minimum technical and financial standards.  Those who cannot pass the required competency test, or who do not have the financial ability to reliably engage in large construction projects, are not issued a license. After receiving information that some individuals had received a GC license through corruption, despite failing to meet the minimum standards, the Special Prosecutions Division (SPD) of the Attorney General's office initiated the investigation.  
PUBLIC SAFETY ENFORCEMENT  
CWAG Associate Attorney General Bill Schuette of Michigan announced that he has charged Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon, former Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley, former City of Flint Water Department Manager Howard Croft, as well as Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Drinking Water Chief Liane Shekter-Smith and Water Supervisor Stephen Busch with involuntary manslaughter related to their alleged failure to act in the Flint Water Crisis. Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and/or a $7,500 fine. In addition to the involuntary manslaughter charges, Schuette also charged Lyon with Misconduct in Office, a felony, subject to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells has also been charged with lying to a peace officer and obstruction of justice related to an alleged attempt to stop an investigation into the health crisis in Flint and later misleading investigators as to her actions.
 
CWAG Associate Attorney General Maura Healey of Massachusetts announced a Boston-based asbestos abatement company and a man associated with the company have been ordered to secure and clean up a large amount of asbestos-contaminated waste material, waste oil, and other hazardous waste at its Hyde Park facility. The preliminary injunction orders Clean Air Environmental, Inc. and Neal Cass not to conduct any more asbestos abatement work, preventing them from storing additional illegal asbestos waste and stopping their ongoing pattern of illegal work. "We allege that these defendants put the health of their workers and our residents at risk by conducting illegal abatement work and unsafely storing asbestos and hazardous waste," said Attorney General Healey. "We have laws in place to protect workers and the public from the serious risks of asbestos exposure, and those who violate these laws will be held accountable."
STATE REGULATION OF JAILS UPHELD
CWAG Associate Attorney General Brad Schimel of Wisconsin and a coalition of states filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) rule regulating inmate calling costs. The Court found in favor of the States, holding that the regulation exceeded the FCC's statutory authority. "This court ruling is a win for state and local government rights," said Attorney General Schimel. "Granting Wisconsin and communities the ability to regulate their own prisons and jails will allow the state to continue to provide this service to inmates." "We are very pleased with this success in court," said Dean Meyer, Executive Director of Badger State Sheriffs' Association. "This FCC rule would have compromised the safe and secure operations of Wisconsin jails. Thanks to Attorney General Schimel and his team, Wisconsin jail staff, inmates, and victims will be safer."
Chris Coppin | Legal Director
Conference of Western Attorneys General