This week, lawmakers and governors around the country were busy on various issues ranging from education savings accounts to automated speed enforcement in work zones, and right-to-repair to bans on investing in ESG firms. Additionally, Florida’s lawmakers advanced a measure that would allow Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to run for president without resigning from state office.
Alabama
Alabama’s Senate Education Policy Committee held hearings on a measure that would create education savings accounts worth $6,900 with which parents can pay for education expenses including private school tuition.
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Alaska
Alaska’s state Supreme Court ruled that Alaska’s Redistricting Board created a partisan gerrymander when it tried to add extra seats in Eagle River, a conservative area.
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Arkansas
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed Senate Bill 481, which allows for automated speed enforcement in work zones. The new law goes into effect later this summer.
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California
Former state Controller Betty Yee (D) and Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis (D) have both stated their intention to run for governor in 2026.
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Colorado
Governor Jared Polis (D) signed a right-to-repair bill, making Colorado the first state to ensure farmers can fix their own equipment.
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Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont (D) has nominated Sandra Slack Glover to serve as an Associate Justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court.
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Delaware
Governor John Carney (D) allowed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana to become law without his signature.
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Florida
Florida’s Senate approved a package of election bills that would allow Governor Ron DeSantis (R) to run for president without resigning as governor, raise the maximum fine amount of voter-registration groups who fail to submit completed voter registration applications on time, and mandating that county clerks report on registered voters who have been convicted of felonies.
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Georgia
Governor Brian Kemp (R) signed a bill that would make it a felony to recruit a minor into a gang.
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Hawaii
Hawaii’s legislature approved a resolution that would create a clemency program for people with prior marijuana convictions on their records.
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Indiana
Indiana’s Senate approved a measure that would prohibit teacher’s unions from discussing curriculum during contract negotiations.
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Iowa
Iowa’s Senate passed the final version of a bill that would limit the access of the state auditor to records like individual income tax returns, criminal files, and student and hospital records.
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Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly (D) allowed a bill banning the state from investing in ESG firms to become law without her signature.
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Kentucky
Governor Andy Beshear has announced $123 million in housing assistance from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to rebuild homes devastated by storms and tornadoes.
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Louisiana
Louisiana’s Senate approved legislation that would increase penalties for individuals convicted of fentanyl-related crimes to up to life in prison.
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Maryland
Governor Wes Moore (D) signed a bill that would form a paid public service program ($15/hour and a $6,000 stipend for completion of a nine-month term) for recent high school graduates.
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Massachusetts
Steve Kerrigan (D) has been selected as the new party chair of Massachusetts State Democrats.
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Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed measures that would allocate $630 million for a new electric vehicle battery plant for Ford, while giving minority legislative leaders seats on the Michigan Strategic Board.
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Minnesota
Minnesota’s House of Representatives passed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana. The measure will be taken up by the State Senate on Friday.
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Montana
Montana House Republicans voted to ban Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) from the floor for the remainder of the legislative session due to her comment that representatives who voted to ban gender-affirming care would have “blood on their hands.” Zephyr is the first trans woman to serve in Montana’s House of Representatives.
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Nebraska
Governor Jim Pillen (R) has signed legislation that would permit residents to carry handguns without training or permits.
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Nevada
Nevada’s Assembly approved a bill that would raise the age for possessing semiautomatic weapons to 21 from 18.
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New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s Senate Education Committee heard testimony on bills that would expand the state’s school voucher program.
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New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed a bill that would allow workers on strike to collect unemployment insurance during labor disputes.
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New Mexico
The community of Edgewood adopted an ordinance that would block the distribution of abortion medication or supplies by mail.
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New York
New York’s redistricting commission’s remapping of Assembly district lines was approved.
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North Carolina
A North Carolina Senate committee has moved to expand the Opportunity Scholarship Program, which would fund grants for students to attend private schools.
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North Dakota
Governor Dough Burgum (R) signed a bill banning abortion throughout pregnancy, except in cases of incest, rape, or medical emergency.
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Ohio
Governor Mike DeWine (R) announced $42 million to upgrade safety at over 600 schools across the state.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s House of Representatives approved a bill that would expand the state support that religious organizations can access.
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Oregon
Oregon’s House of Representatives approved a measure that would ban polystyrene (Styrofoam) takeout containers.
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Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) signed an executive order to create the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience that would improve online access to government services.
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Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s House of Representatives approved a bill that would make it easier to convert office buildings, churches, shopping malls, and churches into housing by reducing the mandatory number of parking spaces per apartment in projects.
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South Carolina
South Carolina’s House of Representatives approved a bill that would enable approximately 15,000 students to use public money for private school tuition.
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South Dakota
Governor Kristi Noem (R) signed an executive order that would require the Bureau of Human Resources to consider whether job opportunities should require college degrees.
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Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee (R) has stated that he will call a special legislative session on gun safety legislation following a deadly school shooting in Nashville.
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Texas
Texas’s House of Representatives gave initial approval to a measure that would require parental consent before a minor can create a social media account.
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Utah
Governor Spencer Cox (R) has announced the implementation of livestream cameras that will broadcast water levels across the state.
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Vermont
Vermont’s State Senate gave preliminary approval to the state budget.
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Virginia
Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) has visited Japan to encourage Japanese chip maker investment in the state.
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Washington
Governor Jay Inslee (D) has signed gun-reform bills that will ban assault weapons, require a 10-day waiting period before purchasing firearms, and allow lawsuits to be brought against the firearm industry.
Learn more here.
West Virginia
Governor Jim Justice (R) has filed paperwork to run for U.S. Senate.
Learn more here.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Assembly gave approval to a bill that would reduce the length of time during which residents are allowed to receive unemployment benefits when the economy is strong.
Learn more here.
Wyoming
Todd Ernst has been named as the new Laramie County assessor.
Learn more here.
Capital and Capitol Happenings: New Positions, Promotions, and More
- Margaret Hardin: new Manager, Government Relations, NACS
- Ken Hiscoe: new Head of Patient Advocacy and Government Affairs, Rhytm Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Charles Hinderliter: new Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, St. Louis REALTORS
- Kernard Jones: new SVP of Government Relations, Waterford.org
Happy Birthdays This Week
- Matt Salomon: Associate Director of State Policy, the ALS Association
- Katie Merritt: Director of Policy and Planning, Pennsylvania Insurance Department
- Mike Nerozzi: Director of Government Affairs, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
- Jordan Powell: Director of Public Affairs, Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
- Dave Hodgkins: Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League
Want to wish someone a happy birthday or recognize their new job or promotion? Email future suggestions to rjstevens@dmgs.com.
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