Digital image by Ryan Stevens; image source by Abhay Bharadwaj from Pixabay 

While a lot of attention is paid to lawmakers and governors dealing with COVID related issues such as vaccine mandates and mask mandates, plenty of other unrelated issues are seeing action. Notably, Colorado is set to become the second state in the country to allow human body composting and New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission missed a statutory deadline to begin accepting new applications for business licenses. Redistricting also has been a major focus of lawmakers heading into 2022, but some disagreements in Nebraska could result in their 2022 primary election to be delayed.

Colorado

On September 7, Colorado became the second state after Washington to allow human body composting. Oregon will allow the practice beginning next July. 

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Connecticut

Governor Ned Lamont is asking lawmakers to have his emergency powers and declarations renewed through February 2022 and is calling for a special session no later than September 27th.

Read more here.

Florida

Florida lawmakers are poised to discuss Governor Ron DeSantis’ recently proposed a plan to stop FSA testing and start a new program called F.A.S.T.

Read more here.

Kentucky

Kentucky lawmakers have proposed legislation for the 2022 legislative session that would make state funding for the full cost of full-day kindergarten a permanent part of the state budget.

Read more here.

Nebraska

Nebraska’s May 2022 primary election could be delayed after the Speaker of the Legislature warned this week he will end the special session convened to draw new congressional and legislative maps if lawmakers fail to advance both measures by Saturday.

Read more here.

New Jersey

New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission missed a statutory deadline to begin accepting new applications for business licenses. The deadline was intended to keep development of the legal weed marketplace on track.

Read more here.

New York

New York’s cannabis industry is beginning to take shape as Governor Kathy Hochul’s office announced the final two appointees to New York’s cannabis market oversight and regulatory panel.

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Pennsylvania

Earlier this week, Pennsylvania’s Senate Transportation Committee launched an inquiry to find out why $104 million in Turnpike fees went uncollected last year, and to evaluate ways to avoid revenue “leakage” — unpaid tolls.

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Tennessee

Representatives from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury spoke before the state general assembly Wednesday about student absenteeism.

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Texas

On Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott added property tax relief and a constitutional amendment addressing bail changes to the agenda for the state’s third special session of the year.

Read more here.

Capitol Happenings: Staff on the Move

  • Max Mikalonis, new Legislative Director for California Assemblymember Mia Bonta.
  • Steven Fenaroli, new Director of Political Affairs for the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Happy Birthdays This Week

  • Eric Fryer, Government Affairs Director at the Dulles Area Association of REALTORS.
  • Rob Jordan, Director, Political and Legislative Grassroots at the American Medical Association.
  • Pauola Vela, Deputy Legislative Director at the Texas House of Representatives.
  • Jonathan Muñoz, State Government Relations Manager at California Life Sciences.

Email future suggestions to rjstevens@dmgs.com.

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