In this week’s Weekly State of the States for April 5th, 2024, we recap significant legislative actions from across the United States. From Alabama’s move to revamp its ethics laws to Wyoming’s refusal to hold a special legislative session, the scope of state legislation reflects a wide array of priorities. 

Notable efforts highlighted this week include Arizona’s battle against ticket scalping bots, California’s expansion of cancer care, and Colorado’s strategy to combat the fentanyl crisis. These actions, along with debates on rights, drug policies, and education in states like Idaho, Illinois, and Louisiana, underline the diverse challenges and concerns state lawmakers are addressing. As we navigate through healthcare, education, justice reform, and more, these legislative updates provide insights into the evolving landscape of state governance and its impact on citizens.

2024 State Capitol Bracket Challenge!

In addition to our weekly recap, we wanted to highlight our First-Ever State Capitol Building Bracket Challenge! Head on over to our X/Twitter page to vote in ROUND 4! Winners of this round will advance to the 5th and FINAL round of voting!

Up this round: Richmond VA vs. Boston MA; Lincoln NE vs. Lansing MI; and Denver CO vs. Jackson MS.

Alabama

The State House has passed a bill that intends to repeal and replace the current state ethics law. This bill would prohibit public officials from utilizing their positions for personal benefit. 

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Arizona

The State Senate has passed legislation that looks to ban online bots from purchasing concert and entertainment tickets for resale above market value. HB2040 would prevent price hikes for ticket sales prior to consumers having the opportunity to purchase them.  

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California

Two pieces of legislation have been passed out of the Senate Health Committee that seek to expand existing screening and treatment programs for breast and cervical cancer.

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Colorado

The State Senate passed legislation that aims to equip school bus drivers and students with fentanyl detection tests and overdose medication, in an effort to combat the fentanyl crisis in the state. 

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Connecticut

Lawmakers have approved a bill out of the Joint Judiciary Committee that seeks to provide sentencing relief to individuals who are still incarcerated over marijuana charges. SB 444 would allow anyone incarcerated or on probation to have their cases reviewed that have since been made legal under state law. 

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Delaware 

The state Senate has passed a bill that looks to change the existing animal cruelty law. This legislation would categorize possession, sale, or production of animal fighting paraphernalias as a felony when done with the purpose of participating or promoting illegal practice of animal fighting.

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Idaho 

The State House has passed two pieces of legislation that would set the legal definition of biological sex to male or female. HB 421 and HB 538 would also block government agencies from allowing employees to use their preferred pronouns in work spaces. 

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Illinois

The State House Judiciary-Criminal Committee has passed a bill that seeks to ban possession of the drug tianeptine without a prescription. HB 4628 would make the drug a Schedule II controlled substance in the state. 

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Iowa

Lawmakers in the House passed legislation that aims to improve the reading performance of elementary school students. This bill would set early literacy standards and improve reading instruction across the state. 

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Kentucky 

Lawmakers passed legislation that would prohibit the enforcing Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services by law. This bill intends to protect homeowners from being subject to real estate fee agreements that are considered unfair. 

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Louisiana

Lawmakers advanced legislation out of a budget committee this week that would provide families up to $15,000 per child to attend private school in the state. This bill would allow any student the opportunity to attend private school regardless of family income. 

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Maine

The legislature completed the approval of a series of bills aimed at safeguarding and improving the water quality of freshwater lakes and ponds. These pieces of legislation address issues concerning freshwater, including protection of invasive species and enhancing shoreland zoning.

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Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) has signed a package of legislation into law this week that establishes the Michigan Family Protection Act. This set of bills will support families going through surrogacy and In-vitro fertilization. 

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Minnesota

The State Senate passed omnibus legislation that would require employers to talk about salary ranges, prohibit shadow non-competes, and increase protections for mothers who take maternity leave. The legislation also  seeks to ban school districts and libraries from banning “age-appropriate” books and literature. 

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Missouri

The State House has passed a bill that would improve the existing election procedure in the state. HB2140 would adjust deadlines for declaring one’s candidacy and bolster safeguards for election officials as well as introduce provisions to increase the integrity of absentee voting. 

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Nebraska

Nebraska legislators voted against a late effort to change how the state allocates its Electoral College votes. The measure fell short in a procedural vote, and it is unclear if it has enough support to become law, given the legislative session is close to ending.

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New Jersey

Senator John McKeon (D) has proposed a bill to increase state taxes on winnings from online casino and online sports bets to 30%, from 15% and 13%, respectively. If passed, the bill is expected to raise hundreds of million dollars in state revenue, as the current tax rate raised $414 million in 2023.

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Oregon

Governor Tina Kotek (D) signed legislation that would increase funding for substance abuse treatment and criminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs. This legislation was passed in an effort to address counties’ power to design their own processes of implementing policy shifts.  

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Pennsylvania

The State House has passed a bill that seeks to ban the acquisition, trade, and manufacture of unregulated and unserialized firearms that can be purchased without a background check or a license. 

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Rhode Island

The State Senate has passed a bill to require the Rhode Island Commerce and Division of Planning to consider issues surrounding rising sea levels and climate change when drafting statewide economic development plans.

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Tennessee

Lawmakers passed legislation that would prevent the practice of purposefully adjusting the atmosphere to counteract global warming and climate change. This bill would prohibit the process of implementing untested geoengineering techniques. 

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Vermont

The State Senate has approved a proposal for a constitutional amendment that guarantees the right of Vermont workers to unionize. The proposal will now be considered by the State House.

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West Virginia

Governor Jim Justice (R) vetoed legislation this week that aimed to abolish the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and transfer the oversight of osteopathic physicians to the allopathic medical board. 

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Wisconsin

Governor Tony Evers (D) rejected legislation proposed by the legislature this week. This bill would have banned transgender high school athletes from participating in teams corresponding to their gender identity. 

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Wyoming

Lawmakers voted against calling a special session of the Wyoming Legislature this week. Despite a close vote in both the House and Senate, legislators rejected the proposal to hold a special session, following the closing of the 2024 legislative session. 

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