Welcome to this week’s State of the States! Across the United States, state legislatures have been busy passing new laws and amending existing ones, impacting everything from election protocols and taxation to social policies and environmental measures. Here’s a look at some of the significant legislative actions taken this week from Alabama to West Virginia, showcasing how diverse and dynamic the process of lawmaking can be across the country.

Alabama

The Alabama Senate approved a bill to adjust the state’s election certification deadline, ensuring President Joe Biden’s inclusion on the November ballot, similar to past accommodations for President Trump. The bill, which passed unanimously, shifts the deadline from 82 to 74 days before the election to align with the Democratic National Convention’s timing. It now moves to the House of Representatives for further approval.

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Alaska

The State Senate passed legislation that would change the existing law related to residency and obtaining hunting and fishing licenses. This bill would require state residents to remain in the state for more than 180 days in order to remain eligible for the Permanent Fund Dividend and access to hunting and fishing equipment. 

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Arizona

Governor Katie Hobbs (D) vetoed numerous pieces of legislation this week. These legislative measures include barring out-of-state students attending state universities from voting in elections, setting up procedures to manage squatters, and enhancing sentences for individuals who have multiple convictions of organized retail theft. 

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Arkansas

A legislative panel has approved an amended bill to increase state employees’ pay by up to 3% and offer special compensation awards for completing projects beyond their regular duties.

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California

Governor Gavin Newsom (D) announced legislation this week that would expand abortion access to out of state individuals and providers. This bill would also permit doctors in Arizona to perform abortion procedures in California, following the total ban of abortions in the state. 

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Colorado

Lawmakers passed three gun related bills this week. These pieces of legislation look to require firearm owners to have liability insurance, require dealers to obtain permits, and impose an 11% excise tax. 

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Connecticut

The state Senate advanced legislation to address artificial intelligence usage. The bill would specifically increase protections for consumers of AI, minimize discriminatory messaging, and criminalize deepfake pornography and deceptive media generated by artificial intelligence technology.  

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Delaware 

The state Senate passed a bill to prepare the state for future climate change challenges. The bill, sponsored by Senator Stephanie Hansen, directs counties and towns to include strategies in their comprehensive plans to enhance community resilience.

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Florida 

Governor Ron Desantis (R) signed legislation that seeks to improve safety measures in schools. The new law will include numerous provisions, including requiring crisis intervention and training for law enforcement agents and authorizing school executive agents to enforce safety and security protocols. 

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Georgia

Governor Brian Kemp (R) signed legislation into law that would require minors to receive parental consent prior to creating social media accounts. This bill will require platforms to institute parental settings and collect and store the personal information of children to prevent access to inappropriate material. 

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Hawaii

The state Senate voted down legislation meant for expanding marijuana decriminalization. This bill would lower the existing fine for possession of small amounts of marijuana and the amount of possession needed to be considered a criminal penalty. 

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Iowa

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) has signed HF 2636 into law, adjusting the taxation of captive insurance companies. This new legislation revises the reinsurance tax rates for captives, lowering the tax on assumed reinsurance premiums between $40 million and $60 million from 5% to 0.045%, and reducing the tax on the first $20 million from 0.2% to 0.0002%.

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Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly (D) signed legislation into law to establish and codify the Office of the Child Advocate as an independent state entity. This bill will allow this office to access specific files and records related to children involved in child welfare cases.  

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Louisiana

Lawmakers advanced numerous pieces of legislation that seek to address child labor laws and unemployment in the state. The measures include lowering the eligibility requirement to apply for unemployment from 26 weeks to 20 weeks and removing a requirement that gives child workers a 30-minute break during a five-hour shift. 

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Maine

Governor Janet Mills (D) vetoed legislation that aimed to set a minimum hourly wage for agricultural laborers. 

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Maryland

Governor Wes Moore (D) signed an executive order this week to establish the Maryland Outdoor Learning Partnership. This partnership will include state agencies, educators, and nonprofits working together to ensure students in the state are being provided access to education talking about the environment. 

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Michigan

Legislation was introduced that looks to eliminate the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in items including clothing and cleaning products. This bill specifically looks to phase out the uses of these chemicals in household items, banning their sale starting January 1st, 2027. 

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Mississippi

Governor Tate Reeves (R) signed legislation into law that would permit counties, municipalities, universities, and others to cover the full salary of any law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical technician who has died in the line of duty. 

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Missouri

The state House passed new legislation that would prohibit landfills from being built near specified suburban homes. This bill would ban the construction of a landfill in Kansas City within a mile of a nearby municipality unless the city gives approval of the project plan. 

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Nebraska

Governor Jim Pillen (R) signed a package of bills into law this week, including establishing a tax credit that would support the production of sustainable aviation fuel that achieves a substantial greenhouse gas emissions reduction. 

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New Hampshire

The House Education Committee voted against advancing legislation that would bar transgender students from participating in sports with a team that aligns with their gender identity. 

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New Jersey

State lawmakers have introduced a bill to add fertility treatment technology, like in vitro fertilization, to a list of reproductive rights that was previously written into law by the New Jersey Legislature in 2022.

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New York

Governor Kathy Hocul (D) signed off on the 2025 fiscal year budget this week. This $237 billion budget includes measures to address affordable housing, including plans to establish new housing in the state and strengthening pro-housing programs across the state. 

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North Carolina

The legislature reconvened this week to address the annual budget, immigration, education, and other legislative priorities. 

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Ohio

Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed legislation into law that will allow breastfeeding mothers to be exempt from jury duty if their baby is age one or younger. 

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Oklahoma 

The state Senate passed legislation that would criminalize homeless individuals who have their tents, shelters, and beddings on state-owned land. This bill would prohibit using property owned by the state including parks, highways, and underpasses for housing purposes.

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Pennsylvania

Lawmakers introduced legislation this week that seeks to provide more support to individuals who are eligible for funding following the Norfolk Southern train derailment. This bill would help residents in East Palestine gain and get to keep additional money from the $600 million settlement following the train derailment in 2023. 

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South Carolina

Governor Henry McMaster (R) signed legislation into law that intends to provide financial support to family owned farms. This bill establishes the Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, which will create a conservation easement to help family farms continue operating and earning a profit while doing so. 

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Tennessee

Lawmakers passed legislation that would permit teachers and staff to carry concealed firearms on public school property while simultaneously preventing parents and staff from identifying who is armed. 

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Vermont

The state Senate passed legislation that would establish a fee for electric vehicle use. This bill would require electric vehicles owners to pay a fee of $89 annually to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. 

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West Virginia

Governor Jim Justice (R) signed legislation into law this week to designate 911 operators and dispatchers as first responders in the state. This bill will grant these professionals the opportunity to retire within 20 years of service once reaching the age of 50 and other included benefits. 

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