This week’s DMGS State of the States highlights legislative developments and policy moves from across the country, from special sessions in Alaska and Colorado to new cannabis laws in Delaware and Nebraska’s ongoing preparations for its medical marijuana rollout. Lawmakers are addressing topics ranging from AI regulation and workplace surveillance to physician shortages and property tax reform. Catch up on the latest state-level actions shaping policy and politics nationwide.

Alabama

Although the next legislative session is still five months away, lawmakers are already cementing their priorities. From bringing a lottery or comprehensive gambling bill to the state to fund raises for Alabama educators, the 2026 legislative session is sure to bring changes to Alabama when it begins on January 13. 

Learn more here

Alaska

During the ongoing special session in Alaska, the legislature has overridden Governor Mike Dunleavy (R)’s veto of more than $50 million in public school funding. Lawmakers also voted to override Dunleavy’s veto of Senate Bill 183, which would require the Alaska Department of Revenue to provide lawmakers with a report on oil tax settlements. 

Learn more here

Arkansas

The Arkansas Board of Corrections voted last Friday to participate in a recidivism reduction pilot program proposed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R). The pilot will feature a whole-of-government approach to preventing reincarceration, drawing involvement from the Department of Commerce, the Division of Workforce Services, the private sector, and faith communities and organizations to help inmates reintegrate into society upon release. 

Learn more here

California

State Senator Aisha Wahab (D) proposed a new bill that would prevent retailers, such as Uber and Lyft, from using artificial intelligence (AI) to increase prices using information stored on customers’ phones. 

Learn more here

Colorado

Governor Jared Polis (D) ordered state lawmakers back to the Colorado Capitol on August 31 for a special session aimed at addressing the nearly $1 billion hole in the state budget after the passage of the new federal tax and spending measure. Polis also ordered state agencies to implement a hiring freeze through the end of the year. 

Learn more here

Delaware

Adult-use cannabis legislation went into effect on August 1. The inaugural weekend of recreational marijuana sales totaled over $903,000, prompting Governor Matt Meyer (D)’s announcement that the state is certainly ready, and eager, for a well-regulated adult-use cannabis market. 

Learn more here

Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed Senate Bill 700 into law this week, which includes a provision preventing local governments from unilaterally introducing fluoride into municipal water supplies. 

Learn more here

Georgia

Members of a House study committee dedicated to studying the impact of cannabis consumption held their first meeting at the state Capitol Tuesday. The committee will hold additional hearings between now and October to examine medical studies, solicit expert testimony, and compare Georgia’s marijuana laws to those of other states. Medical cannabis and recreational hemp will likely be high on lawmakers’ list of priorities when they reconvene in January for the 2026 legislative session. 

Learn more here

Hawaii

Governor Josh Green (D) closed out a prolific bill-signing season with 313 new laws intended to foster community well-being and bolster protection measures. The legislative achievements this year ranged from environmental conservation to public health and safety, including added protections for wildfire safety and new fireworks regulations. 

Learn more here

Idaho

The Child Custody and Domestic Relations Task Force has met twice since the Legislature adjourned for the year to discuss making changes to the state’s child custody laws. Lawmakers are considering reforms such as increasing mediation use in legal disputes and strengthening protections against abusive parents. 

Learn more here

Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker (D) signed legislation that limits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in therapy and psychotherapy services. Under the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, AI is allowed only for administrative and supplementary support services for licensed behavioral health professionals. 

Learn more here

Iowa

Iowa House Republicans elected Representative Bobby Kaufmann (R) as their new majority leader Monday. He replaced Representative Matt Windschitl (R), who resigned his leadership role to run for Congress in Iowa’s 4th District. 

Learn more here

Kentucky

Representative Samara Heavrin (R) is continuing her push for Amgela’s Law, which would make the rape of a murder or kidnapping victim after their death eligible for the death penalty. 

Learn more here

Maine

The Maine Legislature recently passed a bill to place limits on employers’ ability to conduct surveillance in the workplace and to create new categories of enforcement action for state labor officials. Due to the bill’s late passage, the Legislature’s adjournment, and parliamentary rules, LD 61 will sit on Governor Janet Mills’ (D) desk until the next legislative session convenes in January. 

Learn more here

Maryland

Maryland State Delegate Ric Metzgar (R) is currently drafting legislation to mandate the installation of airway clearance devices in every Maryland school to save people from choking. 

Learn more here

Massachusetts

Last week, the state Legislature passed the “Shield Bill” to conceal the identities of Massachusetts abortion activists and doctors who prescribe or ship abortion drugs and puberty blockers to other states where abortion or gender-transforming care is illegal. The legislation now awaits Governor Maura Healey (D)’s signature. 

Learn more here

Michigan

Republicans and Democrats in both the Michigan House and Senate continue to be at odds with one another, with bipartisan bills stuck in legislative gridlock. Since the legislative term started in January, only six bills have passed and landed on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) desk. 

Learn more here

Minnesota

Pushback from powersports enthusiasts convinced Minnesota lawmakers to carve out an exception to their initial ban on “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in products sold to young consumers. Under the new law, powersports dealers can sell now-exempt vehicles if they have been sitting in showrooms for more than six months. 

Learn more here

Mississippi

Mississippi lawmakers are set to consider allowing clinical trials to study the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic, ibogaine, in the treatment of serious mental health conditions. A joint hearing of the House and Senate Public Health and Services Committees will take place on August 28 to start the conversation about ibogaine and other alternative treatment options. 

Learn more here

Missouri

Momentum is building for a special session of the Missouri Legislature to redraw the state’s eight congressional districts, aiming to gain a seat for Republicans. Governor Mike Kehoe on Tuesday expressed interest in gerrymandering the congressional district that encompasses most of Kansas City. 

Learn more here

Montana

On Tuesday, Montana lawmakers in Bozeman and Big Sky hosted a virtual town hall to discuss changes to state property tax laws with their constituents. Lawmakers are proposing a new tiered tax system for owner-occupied homes with differing rates assigned according to property values, which will reduce the tax burden on primary residences and shift it to second homes and investment properties. Constituents weighed in on how that change might affect them. 

Learn more here

Nebraska

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is working to revise temporary regulations for the state’s medical marijuana program, but progress is slowed by a lack of funding, authority, and legislative guidance. Members discussed plans for a seed-to-sale tracking system while grappling with the October 1 deadline to begin issuing registrations for cannabis sales. The commission has recently launched a website and email contact as it continues preparing for the rollout.

Learn more here

Nevada

Nevada lawmakers are discussing a potential special session for later this year to take up bills that failed to pass at the end of the 2025 legislative session. Potentially on the agenda is a crime bill sought by Governor Joe Lombardo (R) aimed at increasing public safety, and a film tax credit bill. 

Learn more here

New Hampshire

Governor Kelly Ayotte (D) signed House Bill 273, creating an exception to the requirement that borrowing records at public libraries be kept confidential. The new law mandates that libraries provide parents access to their children’s library records. 

Learn more here

New Jersey

A new law in New Jersey requires the Department of Transportation to provide new information about potholes in their annual report on the state’s Roadway Pavement System. The report is now required to contain detailed information such as the number of potholes filled, the total cost, and the number of pothole damage claims filed by commuters on state roadways. 

Learn more here

New Mexico

State Senator Linda Trujillo (D) wants New Mexico to adopt a more rehabilitative model for incarcerating and treating young people who are accused of crimes and whom the state deems in need of mental health treatment. Trujillo is proposing building more small, non-institutional youth detention facilities that look more like a home, and which provide intense therapy and other resources the children may need. 

Learn more here

New York

A New York lawmaker introduced legislation on August 4 to remedy dozens of noncompliant dispensaries that the Office of Cannabis Management allowed to open too close to schools. Senate Bill S8469 is an attempt to amend New York’s cannabis law to exempt any adult-use dispensary that opened before July 28, 2025, from having to change locations based on a 500-foot school buffer zone. 

Learn more here

North Carolina

State Auditor Dave Boliek released a report recommending to split off the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Governor Josh Stein (D) opposed that reorganization, citing costs and logistical hurdles. 

Learn more here

North Dakota

North Dakota’s new charter schools law, SB2241, took effect last week and the Department of Public Instruction is beginning work to implement the new law. SB2241 establishes timelines and requirements for public meetings for charter school developers, orders the Department of Public Instruction to provide implementation details for the law by writing administrative rules, and assigns key responsibilities to the state superintendent. 

Learn more here

Ohio

Governor Mike DeWine (R) is calling on the Ohio Casino Control Commission to ban proposition bets in the state after two Cleveland Guardians players were placed on leave for gambling allegations. Proposition bets – wagers on individual players or specific events in a game – would no longer be allowed in the state of Ohio if DeWine’s calls are abided by. 

Learn more here

Oklahoma

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are advocating for increased state regulations to protect people that have incurred medical debt and to ensure greater pricing transparency from hospitals in the state ahead of medical procedures. 

Learn more here

Oregon

Budget constraints at the Oregon Department of Transportation are forcing cuts to graffiti removal as the agency awaits funding decisions from state lawmakers. The Oregon Legislature will convene for a special session on August 29 to address road maintenance and transportation funding. Until then, infrastructure-related issues are on the backburner. 

Learn more here

Pennsylvania

State Representative Regina Young (D) held a press conference on Tuesday to propose House Bill 1286, calling for hospitality personnel to undergo training to recognize and report human trafficking, or risk losing their license to operate. 

Learn more here

Rhode Island

Democrat Stefano Famiglietti emerged victorious from a special election to replace the late Dominick Ruggerio in the Rhode Island Senate, defeating Republican Alex Asermely. Famiglietti, a North Providence town councilman, had 83% of the vote to 16% for Asermely. 

Learn more here

South Carolina

State lawmakers approved $10 million in this year’s budget to expand South Carolina’s Graduate Medical Education program. The program pays hospitals to host residency programs – the final phase of training for doctors after medical school. The additional funding will help the state address its growing physician shortage. 

Learn more here

South Dakota

In tribute to the valor and sacrifice of America’s military heroes, Governor Larry Rhoden (R) has officially proclaimed Thursday, August 7, 2025, as “Purple Heart Recognition Day” across South Dakota. This observance calls on residents to honor and remember those who have been wounded or killed in action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. 

Learn more here

Tennessee

A state law passed in 2023 makes it a felony instead of a misdemeanor to threaten violence at a school. Tennessee lawmakers who led efforts to put an end to mass school violence say no change is needed in this law, despite the fact that it led numerous students into the juvenile justice system, even for ill-advised pranks. 

Learn more here

Texas

Democrats left Texas Sunday afternoon to deny the house a quorum and delay the passage of a new congressional map. The following afternoon, the Texas House voted to track down and arrest the more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who were not present when the chamber officially called its session to order. House Speaker Dustin Burrows said he would immediately sign civil warrants for each of the legislators, empowering the chamber’s sergeant-at-arms and state troopers to arrest and bring them to the Capitol. 

Learn more here

Utah

After state officials received thousands of complaints related to residential construction fraud in the last several years, the state announced on Monday a new task force bringing together officials from the Utah Department of Commerce, the Attorney General’s office, lawmakers, industry representatives, and law enforcement to fight the growing problem. 

Learn more here

Vermont

Members of the Vermont School District Redistricting Task Force met for the first time last Friday to discuss new school district maps as part of a mammoth effort to overhaul Vermont’s K-12 system. The 11-member body must produce up to three new statewide maps for state lawmakers to consider when they reconvene in January. 

Learn more here

Virginia

Virginia Delegate Josh Thomas (D) is proposing a plan to create opportunity accounts for Virginia Children to ensure those born and raised in the commonwealth get financial support for their education and are positioned to buy their own homes down the road. Each child would start out with a $1000 deposit from the state, with an additional $100 gift from the state each month until the child is 18. The program would be funded partially by the state’s booming data center industry. 

Learn more here

West Virginia

A new West Virginia law overturns a long-standing mandate that medical professionals treat newborns’ eyes with an ointment meant to prevent pink eye or potentially blindness. The bill repealed the state code about the ointment without Governor Patrick Morrisey (R) signing it. 

Learn more here

Wisconsin

A new proposed measure would allow adult Wisconsin adoptees to have access to their original, unredacted birth certificates. The co-sponsorship for the bill closed July 31, after which Speaker of the Assembly Robin Vos (R) has 10 working days to assign a bill number and refer it to a committee. 

Learn more here

Wyoming

The state Legislature’s interim Joint Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee spent the morning of July 29 deliberating the state of the coal industry. However, Wyoming lawmakers once again disagreed on how to “save” coal, failing to move forward a draft bill that would have repealed current state law. 

Learn more here

Latest News