Case: Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council v. Department of Agriculture

Matthew J. Vaeth

President Donald Trump

COMPLAINT ( filing fee paid $ 405.00, receipt number ARIDC-2110259 ), filed by Green Infrastructure Center, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, National Council of Nonprofits. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Civil Cover Sheet)(DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

1 Exhibit

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2 Exhibit

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3 Civil Cover Sheet

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Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

Case Conditionally Assigned

Case Randomly Assigned

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

CASE CONDITIONALLY ASSIGNED to Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Related Case Number 25-cv-39 based upon the indication on the cover sheet that a related case previously was assigned to the presiding judge. The assignment is subject to the presiding judge's determination that the cases, in fact, are related. (Hill, Cherelle)

CASE OPENING NOTICE ISSUED (Hill, Cherelle) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

CASE RANDOMLY REASSIGNED: Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. has determined that this case is not related to 25cv39. Case randomly assigned to Judge District Judge Mary S. McElroy for all further proceedings. (Simoncelli, Michael)

Summons Issued as to Doug Burgum, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Kevin Hassett, Office of Management and Budget, Brooke Rollins, Russell Vought, Chris Wright, Lee Zeldin, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Chris Wright Summons, # 2 Department of Agriculture Summons, # 3 Department of Energy Summons, # 4 Department of Interior, # 5 Doug Burgum, # 6 Environmental Protection Agency Summons, # 7 Kevin Hassett Summons, # 8 Lee Zeldin Summons, # 9 Office of Management and Budget Summons, # 10 Pam Bondi Summons, # 11 Russell Vought Summons, # 12 US Attorney)(Hill, Cherelle) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

MOTION for Jessica Anne Morton to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2110813 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

MOTION for Kevin E. Friedl to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2110842 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

MOTION for Robin F. Thurston to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2110845 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

MOTION for Skye L. Perryman to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2110849 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (DeLuca, Amato) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

TEXT ORDER granting 17 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Jessica Anne Morton. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 3/14/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)

TEXT ORDER granting 18 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Kevin Friedl. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 3/14/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)

TEXT ORDER granting 19 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Robin F. Thurston. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 3/14/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)

TEXT ORDER granting 20 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Skye L. Perryman. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 3/14/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)

AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants, filed by Green Infrastructure Center, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, National Council of Nonprofits, Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit) (Weizenbaum, Miriam) Docket text modified on 3/17/2025 to include the 2 new Plaintiffs. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits, Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation. (Weizenbaum, Miriam) Docket text modified on 3/17/2025 to include the 2 new Plaintiffs. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

Summons Request filed by Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits, Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation. (Weizenbaum, Miriam) Docket text modified on 3/17/2025 to include the 2 new Plaintiffs. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

Summons Issued as to Department of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner. (Attachments: # 1 Summons Issued as to S. Turner) (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

NOTICE by Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits (Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 3/31/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit J, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit K, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit L, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit M, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit N, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit O, # 7 Exhibit Exhibit P, # 8 Exhibit Exhibit Q, # 9 Exhibit Exhibit R, # 10 Exhibit Exhibit S, # 11 Exhibit Exhibit T, # 12 Exhibit Exhibit U, # 13 Exhibit Exhibit V, # 14 Proposed Order)(Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

1 Exhibit Exhibit J

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2 Exhibit Exhibit K

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3 Exhibit Exhibit L

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4 Exhibit Exhibit M

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5 Exhibit Exhibit N

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6 Exhibit Exhibit O

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7 Exhibit Exhibit P

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8 Exhibit Exhibit Q

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9 Exhibit Exhibit R

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10 Exhibit Exhibit S

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11 Exhibit Exhibit T

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12 Exhibit Exhibit U

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13 Exhibit Exhibit V

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14 Proposed Order

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MOTION to Expedite Briefing filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 3/31/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed order)(Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

Order on Motion to Expedite

TEXT ORDER. The Plaintiffs' Motion for Expedited Briefing Schedule (ECF No. 27 ) is Granted in part and Denied in part. Defendants shall have until March 27, 2025, to file their response to Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 26 ). Plaintiffs shall file any replies by March 31, 2025.. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 3/18/2025. (Potter, Carrie)

NOTICE by Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits Supplemental Notice of Related Cases (Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Daniel Schwei on behalf of All Defendants (Schwei, Daniel) (Entered: 03/26/2025)

NOTICE of Appearance by Eitan Sirkovich on behalf of Department of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner, Doug Burgum, Lee Zeldin, Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, Kevin Hassett, Department of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, Department of Energy, Chris Wright, Department of Interior (Sirkovich, Eitan) (Entered: 03/26/2025)

RESPONSE In Opposition to 26 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by All Defendants. Replies due by 4/3/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit OMB Memo M-25-13, # 2 Exhibit DOE Declaration)(Schwei, Daniel) (Entered: 03/27/2025)

Notice of Hearing on Motion

NOTICE of Hearing on Motion 26 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction : Motion Hearing set for 4/3/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 2 before District Judge Mary S. McElroy. (Potter, Carrie)

REPLY to Response re 31 Response to Motion, filed by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit W, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit X, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit Y, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit Z, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit AA, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit BB)(Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

Order

TEXT ORDER : For Thursday's hearing (4/3/2025) on the Preliminary Injunction motion (ECF No. 26), the following schedule will be followed: Plaintiffs shall have up to one hour for presentation, Defendants will then have up to one hour for presentation, and then Plaintiffs will have up to 15 minutes for rebuttal.. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 4/1/2025. (Potter, Carrie)

NOTICE by Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits Notice of Factual Development (Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/02/2025)

AFFIDAVIT of Service, filed by Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits, Childhood Lead Action Project Doug Burgum served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Department of Energy served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Department of Housing and Urban Development served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Department of Interior served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Environmental Protection Agency served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Kevin Hassett served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Office of Management and Budget served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Brooke Rollins served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Scott Turner served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Russell Vought served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Chris Wright served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025; Lee Zeldin served on 3/21/2025, answer due 4/11/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit USDA, # 2 Affidavit OMB, # 3 Affidavit HUD, # 4 Affidavit Hassett (NEC), # 5 Affidavit Vought (OMB), # 6 Affidavit Burgum (DOI), # 7 Affidavit Wright (DOE), # 8 Affidavit Rollins (USDA), # 9 Affidavit Turner (HUD), # 10 Affidavit US AG (Bondi), # 11 Affidavit RI US Attorney, # 12 Affidavit DOI, # 13 Affidavit EPA, # 14 Affidavit Zeldin)(Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/02/2025)

1 Affidavit USDA

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2 Affidavit OMB

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3 Affidavit HUD

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4 Affidavit Hassett (NEC)

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5 Affidavit Vought (OMB)

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6 Affidavit Burgum (DOI)

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7 Affidavit Wright (DOE)

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8 Affidavit Rollins (USDA)

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9 Affidavit Turner (HUD)

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10 Affidavit US AG (Bondi)

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11 Affidavit RI US Attorney

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12 Affidavit DOI

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13 Affidavit EPA

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14 Affidavit Zeldin

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Motion Hearing

Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Mary S. McElroy: Motion Hearing held on 4/3/2025 re 26 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: A. DeLuca, J. Morton, K. Friedl, P. Thurston, M. Weizenbaum and D. Schwei in attendance. Parties argue motion; Court questions. Court takes 26 Motion for Preliminary Injunction under advisement. Plaintiffs to file revised proposed order. Recess. (Court Reporter D. Veitch in Courtroom 2 at 10:00 am.) (Potter, Carrie)

TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 04/03/2025 before Judge Mary S. McElroy. 3-Day Transcript Selected. Transcript to be delivered within 3 calendar days.. (Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/03/2025)

TRANSCRIPT ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENT Entered re: 35 Transcript Order. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Denise Veitch. (Dias, Jennifer) (Entered: 04/03/2025)

NOTICE by Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits Notice re Revised Proposed Order (Attachments: # 1 Revised Proposed Order)(Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/04/2025)

NOTICE by Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits Regarding Department of Education v. California (Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/06/2025)

TRANSCRIPT of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction. held on April 3, 2025, before District Judge Mary S. McElroy. Court Reporter Denise P. Veitch, Telephone number (401) 752-7031. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through the Court Reporter or PACER. NOTICE TO COUNSEL: Redaction Requests must be filed for personal identifiers only. All other redactions must be requested by motion. For local policy and sample redaction request visit our website at www.rid.uscourts.gov and select Transcripts under the Case Information menu option. Redaction Request due 4/29/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 5/9/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 7/7/2025. (Veitch, Denise) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION by Department of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner, Doug Burgum, Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, Kevin Hassett, Department of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, Department of Energy, Chris Wright, Department of Interior re 37 Notice (Other), to Plaintiffs' Revised Proposed Order. (Schwei, Daniel) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION by Department of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner, Doug Burgum, Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, Kevin Hassett, Department of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, Department of Energy, Chris Wright, Department of Interior re 38 Notice (Other), Regarding Department of Education v. California. (Schwei, Daniel) (Entered: 04/08/2025)

REPLY to Response re 41 Reply to Response, Regarding Department of Education v. California filed by All Plaintiffs. (Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/09/2025)

NOTICE by Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits Notice of Supplemental Authority (Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/12/2025)

NOTICE by Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits Notice of Supplement Authority (Attachments: # 1 Attachment)(Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/14/2025)

1 Attachment

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MEMORANDUM AND ORDER granting 26 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 4/15/2025. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)

NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew Freidah on behalf of All Defendants (Freidah, Andrew) (Entered: 04/16/2025)

STATUS REPORT Regarding Preliminary Injunction and Request for Clarification by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A - OMB Notice, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B - DOE Notice, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C - HUD Notice, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit D - EPA Notice)(Freidah, Andrew) (Entered: 04/16/2025)

1 Exhibit Exhibit A - OMB Notice

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2 Exhibit Exhibit B - DOE Notice

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3 Exhibit Exhibit C - HUD Notice

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4 Exhibit Exhibit D - EPA Notice

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Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)

NOTICE of Hearing: Zoom Chambers Conference re: Status of Compliance and Scheduling set for 4/21/2025 at 11:30 AM before District Judge Mary S. McElroy. Zoom Meeting ID/Passcode provided to counsel of record via email. (Simoncelli, Michael)

Notice of Hearing

NOTICE of Appearance by Katelyn M. Revens on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Revens, Katelyn) (Entered: 04/18/2025)

NOTICE by Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Green Infrastructure Center, National Council of Nonprofits Notice Regarding Status of Compliance (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit 3)(Weizenbaum, Miriam) (Entered: 04/20/2025)

1 Exhibit Exhibit 1

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2 Exhibit Exhibit 2

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3 Exhibit Exhibit 3

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Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Mary S. McElroy: Zoom Chambers Conference held on 4/21/2025. Counsel present: M. Weizenbaum, J. Morton, R. Thurston, and K. Friedl for Plaintiffs; D. Schewi for Defendants. Parties directed to submit status reports by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Court to hold follow-up conference, if needed, at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (By Zoom Video Conference at 11:40 AM.) (Simoncelli, Michael)

Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)

In Chambers Conference

NOTICE of Hearing: Status Conference set for 4/23/2025 at 04:00 PM by Zoom Video Conference before District Judge Mary S. McElroy. Zoom Meeting ID/Passcode provided to counsel of record by email. (Simoncelli, Michael)