As anticipated, on September 27, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 219 (SB 219), after the California legislature passed it on August 31, 2024. SB 219 amends the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and the Climate‐Related Financial Risk Act (SB 261), both of which are summarized in our previous blog post.Continue Reading Update (and Refocus) on California Climate Disclosures
Just In! More Guidance on Material Cybersecurity Incidents (Item 1.05 of Form 8-K)
On June 24, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released five additional Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations for Item 1.05 of Form 8-K (Material Cybersecurity Incidents). These interpretations provide additional guidance as to whether and when materiality determinations should be made and when related reporting obligations arise. Continue Reading Just In! More Guidance on Material Cybersecurity Incidents (Item 1.05 of Form 8-K)
T+1 = Here We Come!
On February 15, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted a set of rule amendments and new rules to facilitate the shortening of the standard settlement cycle for most broker-dealer transactions from two business days after the trade date (or T+2) to one business day after the trade date (or T+1). Continue Reading T+1 = Here We Come!
California Legislature Passes Significant Climate Disclosure Bills With Potential Broad Scope
Over the weekend, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two major climate-related disclosure bills, Senate Bill 253: Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and Senate Bill 261: Greenhouse Gases: Climate-Related Financial Risk (SB 261), which could have potentially broad application for companies meeting certain revenue thresholds that conduct business in California, whether or not such companies are incorporated or headquartered in California. Continue Reading California Legislature Passes Significant Climate Disclosure Bills With Potential Broad Scope
The PCAOB Closes Comment Period on Controversial Proposal to Expand Auditor Responsibility for Legal Compliance
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) recently closed the comment period for its proposal (the Proposal) to significantly increase the responsibility of audit firms to evaluate and disclose a subject public company’s noncompliance with laws and regulations (commonly referred to as NOCLAR).Continue Reading The PCAOB Closes Comment Period on Controversial Proposal to Expand Auditor Responsibility for Legal Compliance
Practical Considerations for Adopting a Clawback Policy in Advance of Effective Date of NYSE and Nasdaq Listing Standards
On June 9, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved proposed amendments of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq) to their respective listing standards to implement the SEC’s previously adopted recoupment rules. These listing standard amendments extended the effective date for the new clawback listing standards to October 2, 2023, meaning that companies listed on either exchange will need to adopt a compliant clawback policy no later than December 1, 2023.Continue Reading Practical Considerations for Adopting a Clawback Policy in Advance of Effective Date of NYSE and Nasdaq Listing Standards
Virtual Broadcast: 4th Annual Corporate & Securities Counsel Public Company Forum
Please join us for a virtual broadcast and replay of our 4th Annual Corporate & Securities Counsel Public Company Forum.
This half-day complimentary program will be broadcast virtually on February 2 and features timely and practical guidance on the latest developments in corporate and securities matters impacting public company in-house counsel.Continue Reading Virtual Broadcast: 4th Annual Corporate & Securities Counsel Public Company Forum
Watch On-Demand | Effective Strategies in Preparing SEC’s Pay versus Performance Disclosure
Watch the recording of our latest webinar, Effective Strategies in Preparing SEC’s Pay versus Performance Disclosure. To gain access, please click here.Continue Reading Watch On-Demand | Effective Strategies in Preparing SEC’s Pay versus Performance Disclosure
SEC Proposes Amendment to the Shareholder Proposals Rule (14a-8) and Adopts Amendments to Rules Impacting Proxy Advisory Firms
Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted 3-2 to take the following actions:
- Propose new amendments to Rule 14a-8, the shareholder proposal rule.
- Adopt new amendments to the rules regarding proxy advisory firms, such as ISS and Glass Lewis.
The SEC’s Proposed Climate Change Rules Are Out: Making Sense of 500+ Pages
After months of anticipation, on March 21, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted 3:1 to propose climate change-related disclosure rules that would impact a company’s annual reports and registration statements. As indicated previously by the Staff, the proposed climate-related disclosure framework is modeled partially on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure’s (TCFD) recommendations and draws upon the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. (See our previous blog post discussing the Staff’s consideration of TCFD). The proposed rules, seemingly unprecedented in nature, are significantly more prescriptive rather than “principles-based” disclosure rooted in materiality, and intended to provide stakeholders with “consistent and comparable data.”
Continue Reading The SEC’s Proposed Climate Change Rules Are Out: Making Sense of 500+ Pages