Lawmakers are back in session in various states across the country and are looking to address various issues impacting their states, such as education funding, rail safety, tax cuts, and more. Meanwhile, governors have unveiled their budget and legislative priorities for the year.
Alabama
This week, Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed a proclamation establishing dates for a special election in Alabama House District 27.
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Alaska
Lawmakers have voiced their opinions about a new education package set for debate in the House. The proposed package looks to increase school funding, allocating more resources to support students and teachers in the classroom.
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Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) delivered her State of the State address this week. Her speech focused on her goals for this legislative session, including improving infrastructure, the border, and water conservation efforts.
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California
In a bid to address speeding concerns, Senator Scott Wiener (D) has introduced legislation to mandate the installation of speed limiter systems in vehicles, preventing them from surpassing the speed limit by more than 10 mph.
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Colorado
Colorado Senator Tony Exum (D) has introduced a rail safety bill, the culmination of over a year of development. The proposed legislation aims to enhance safety measures along railroads and impose restrictions on the length and weight of trains carrying hazardous materials.
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Connecticut
With the start of the 2024 legislative session on the horizon, lawmakers in Connecticut are actively advocating to provide free school meals to every student.
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Florida
Two bills have moved forward in the legislature that would change current child labor laws in Florida. These proposed changes would extend the permissible working hours for teenagers during the week and grant them more freedom to undertake various labor-intensive tasks.
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Georgia
Legislation defining antisemitism stalled in 2023, but lawmakers have made changes and advanced a new proposal earlier this week.
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Hawaii
Governor Josh Green (D) delivered his State of the State address this week. He highlighted several important issues he hopes to tackle during this legislative session, including housing, climate change, and tax credits.
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Idaho
Lawmakers are looking to establish a new committee in the state legislature. HB 432 looks to reinstitute a material mortality review committee, following its expiration during last year’s session.
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Illinois
Pending legislation in Illinois would eliminate a law that requires drivers aged 75 and over to retake a driving test to renew their license.
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Indiana
The state Senate passed legislation requiring the state Attorney General to enforce Indiana’s law banning sanctuary city ordinances.
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Iowa
In a subcommittee vote, GOP senators passed Senate File 108. This legislation aims to prevent employers in Iowa from knowingly hiring workers who lack the legal authorization to live or work within the country – also known as e-verify.
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Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly (D) celebrated the introduction of her bipartisan tax cut package in both the Kansas House and Senate. The package was initially unveiled by Kelly earlier this month.
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Kentucky
In an effort to enhance public safety, legislators have introduced a bill in the state legislature known as the “Safer Kentucky Act.” This comprehensive legislation includes various provisions targeting fentanyl trafficking, implementing three-strike laws, and addressing the issue of carjackings within the state.
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Louisiana
Governor Jeff Landry (R) signed legislation this week establishing a second majority-black district in the state.
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Maryland
Governor Wes Moore (D) delivered his agenda in the form of a 16-bill package to the legislature this week, with a goal of tackling various issues such as public safety, affordability, state competition, and public service.
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Massachusetts
Governor Maura Healey (D) released her 2025 budget proposal this week. Her plans focused on an increase in funding for roads and transportation, as well as working towards improved literacy programs within schools.
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Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) delivered her State of the State address this week. During her speech, Whitmer outlined her goals for this legislative session, including increased investments in education, expanding affordable housing access, and looking to lower costs and boost the economy across the state.
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Mississippi
Legislation was introduced to remove journalists from the floor of the Senate with the sponsor of the bills hoping to limit members of the media to being on the senate floor 30 minutes before and after sessions.
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Missouri
In an ongoing battle for operational control, the leader of the Missouri Senate has removed several Freedom Caucus members from chairmanships of committees.
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Nebraska
Lawmakers have advanced a bill in the legislature that looks to protect individuals’ genetic information and make it easier for their information to be removed by genetic companies databases.
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New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed legislation earlier this month to update the Garden State’s 100-year old liquor laws.
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New Mexico
The New Mexico Legislature’s one-month session began this week, presenting legislators with a series of bills poised to significantly impact the oil and gas industry. These proposed changes encompass new restrictions on well placement, increased fines, and higher royalty payments, among other potential shifts.
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New York
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) announced a $5 million investment to help preserve and repair projects off Suffolk County’s shoreline, following damage it has accumulated over time.
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North Carolina
In his final year in office, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper expressed his intention to form a coalition to influence the General Assembly on Tuesday, having been blocked by GOP lawmakers to advance his education agenda during his time in office.
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North Dakota
Governor Doug Burgum (R) delivered his final State of the State Address this week, following his announcement that he will not be running for reelection. During his speech, he announced a proposal to get rid of the state income tax.
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Ohio
Two lawmakers introduced legislation to eliminate the state’s income and commercial activities tax. The bill would include a phased approach to eliminate the top tax rate, gradually reducing it from 3.99% to 0% by 2030.
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Oregon
In an effort to combat addiction, Oregon lawmakers have put forth a proposal that combines expanded addiction treatment options with the reintroduction of criminal penalties for possessing small quantities of certain drugs.
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Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania House Republicans have proposed legislation to protect critical infrastructure and limit foreign ownership of agricultural land.
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Rhode Island
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced a bill to amend the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights in its first hearing of the year. The current law, enacted in 1976, safeguards officers from immediate termination or unpaid leave during misconduct allegations. The proposed changes include: increasing the LEOBOR review panel from three to five members and extending the time a police chief can suspend an officer without pay
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South Carolina
Governor Henry McMaster (R) delivered his State of the State address this week. In it, he discussed plans for improving infrastructure, business developments, and school literacy efforts.
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Texas
In response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling allowing the border patrol to remove razor wire from the southern border, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) is reinforcing his stance by adding more razor wire to the border fence.
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Vermont
Governor Phil Scott (R) proposed an $8.6 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year and urged the legislature not to enact any tax or fee increases.
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Washington
Lawmakers have introduced various bills already for this year’s session, including ones dealing with cultivating cannabis at home, enshrining the right to hunt and fish in the state Constitution and prohibiting police from hog-tying suspects.
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West Virginia
GOP lawmakers advanced a package of bills this week aimed at arming teachers, allowing people to sue libraries over books that offend them and restricting bathroom use for transgender kids in school.
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Wisconsin
On Tuesday, GOP lawmakers unveiled a series of comprehensive tax reductions that would restructure the state’s tax brackets.
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