Digital collage by Ryan Stevens; image source by sarangib from Pixabay

This week, lawmakers around the country either began or continued their 2022 legislative sessions with plenty of work to be done. Top issues covered this week include a 15 week abortion ban bill being introduced in Florida, Kentucky lawmakers approving tornado-relief legislation, and an Indiana legislative hearing to address automated speed enforcement.

Alabama

State lawmakers are set to debate this month the issue of permitless carry of concealed handguns, and a line in one of the proposed bills would remove school sporting venues from the list of places where guns of any kind are prohibited.

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California

Legislation failed again this week at the California state capitol that would have imposed harsher punishments on drug dealers who sell fentanyl.

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Colorado

State lawmakers returned to the state Capitol for the new legislative session on Wednesday. Governor Jared Polis and legislative leaders indicated the top issues to address this session include continuing efforts to limit health care costs, laying the groundwork for universal preschool education, investing in mental health services and tackling fire mitigation.

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Florida

The 2022 legislative session in Florida began earlier this week and two GOP lawmakers filed bills that would prevent doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

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Indiana

Multiple bills have been introduced by Indiana lawmakers with a goal of improving road safety, and lawmakers held a hearing this week to address some of those bills. Two of the bills cover the use of automated speed enforcement.

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Kansas

Kansas lawmakers met on Tuesday for a presentation on the medical marijuana bill passed last year by the state House and is being taken up by the Senate this year.

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Kentucky

State lawmakers have passed tornado-relief legislation that will send aid into stricken communities for schools and residents displaced by last month’s deadly storms.

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Mississippi

The Mississippi state House approved legislation Wednesday to phase out the personal income tax, reduce the grocery tax and increase the state sales tax on most items. 

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New Jersey

Lawmakers in New Jersey were sworn in Tuesday for new terms, with a new state Senate president taking over and several new leaders and lawmakers arriving, including many who are bringing greater diversity to Trenton.

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New Mexico

Lawmakers in New Mexico are taking a look at the distribution of the state’s electricity.

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New York

GOP members of the New York Legislature rallied at the state capitol in Albany earlier this week to take action to address the rise of crime in the state. The event largely focused on repealing the bail reform laws enacted last year that eliminated the use of cash bail for the majority of nonviolent and other lower-level charges.

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Pennsylvania

Republicans in the state House moved Monday to advance a constitutional amendment that would revamp Pennsylvania’s redistricting process.

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Washington

A group of bipartisan state lawmakers in Washington are pushing for legislation that would stipulate Pacific Standard Time be observed year-round.

Learn more here.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin state legislature’s Committee for Review of Administrative Rules earlier this week ordered the Wisconsin Elections Commission to finalize its emergency rules for dropboxes and for “curing” ballots within the next 30 days. However, lawmakers appear ready to ‘kill’ those rules.

Learn more here.

This Week’s DMGS Posts

  • States That Could Legalize Marijuana in 2022: A Look at Recreational Marijuana Legislation
    • As of May of 2021, 36 states allow for the use of medical marijuana, a topic we have covered extensively in the past. In 2021, five states began allowing recreational cannabis — New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Connecticut. However, only 18 states and the District of Columbia, as of November 2021, have passed legislation to allow for non-medical, recreational use of cannabis. As many states begin their 2022 legislative sessions, could we see that number grow? Lawmakers around the country are already introducing various pieces of recreational marijuana legislation.
  • 2022 State of the States: Part 1
    • Several governors have already delivered their 2022 state of the state address, with many more on the horizon.

Capital and Capitol Happenings: Staff on the Move, Promotions, and More

  • Gabe Sheheane: new Senior Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, Cognia
  • Jessica Feil: new Vice President, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
  • Dy Reed: new Lead Public Affairs Manager, Washington Gas
  • Paul Deiro: new Senior Director of California Policy, Western States Petroleum Association
  • Greg Willis: new Legislative Liaison, Illinois Department of Human Services
  • Mark Hickman: new Senior Director of State Government Relations, VCU Health System

Happy Birthdays This Week

  • Matthew Eggers: Vice President, Cybersecurity Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Elizabeth Hooper: Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations, Virginia Tech
  • Atalie Ebersole: Director of Government Relations, Pet Food Institute
  • Oscar Garza: State Government Affairs Manager, AEP Texas
  • Dan DeBone: Executive Director, Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce

Email future suggestions to rjstevens@dmgs.com

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