Hunton Employment & Labor Perspectives

California has introduced Assembly Bill 2244, proposing a pioneering “California Certified” labeling standard for foods not classified as ultra-processed. The bill relies on forthcoming regulatory definitions and imposes retail placement requirements for qualifying products. As California continues to advance UPF regulation, this initiative is expected to shape food law trends nationwide.

The post-COVID real estate market has seen a surge in luxury gyms and fitness spaces.  Members are willing to shell out several hundred dollars a month for memberships at popular high-end fitness chains. These modern luxury gyms offer more than just workout spaces.  Many offer holistic lifestyle services such as spas, hair salons, social amenities, co-working spaces, and daycare. These luxury gyms are gaining larger footprints and emerging as a unique retail asset.

On Feb. 23, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) had published proposed rules implementing the state’s Buy Now, Pay Later (“BNPL”) law.  The proposal would establish the nation’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for the rapidly growing pay-over-time consumer market niche. 

In 2025, four states—California, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington—proposed fashion accountability bills. These bills would require high-earning entities in the fashion industry to conduct extensive supply chain due diligence, and to monitor and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water use, and chemical management.