This week, lawmakers around the country continued to legislate on various issues ranging from reinstating voting rights for felons to liquor law changes, automated speed enforcement, firearm restrictions, gender-affirming care, and more.

Alabama

Alabama’s Department of Education has requested a $984M budget increase in funding to the state’s Trust Fund.

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Arizona

Governor Katie Hobbs (D) vetoed a bill that would have eliminated taxes paid by landlords on their rental properties.

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Arkansas

The Arkansas Senate Committee on City, County, and Local Affairs passed a measure that would bar minors from “adult-oriented performances.” The bill originally targeted drag shows, but has since been revised.

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California

Governor Gavin Newsom (D) is leading the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a group of governors that will share potential executive orders and model legislation in defense of abortion access.

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Colorado

Democratic legislators in Colorado have introduced legislation that would limit firearm possession and purchase to people over 21, and would require a 3-day waiting period between the purchase and possession of a gun.

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Connecticut

Governor Ned Lamont (D) has submitted bills to the state’s legislature that would reduce healthcare costs by eliminating “unnecessary charges and enhancing competition.”

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Florida

Following Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) call for restrictions on media, Representative Alex Andrade (R) has introduced a bill that would presume that all information from anonymous sources is false, and get rid of protections that would permit journalists to shield their sources if they are sued.

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Hawaii

Hawaii’s Senate Ways and Means Committee have approved two bills that would promote the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and MDMA as alternative mental health treatments, with Governor Josh Green’s (D) endorsement.

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Idaho

Idaho’s Senate State Affairs Committee has approved measures that would ban election officials from accepting private money to fund election administration.

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Illinois

Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) will sign a bill that will give workers paid sick and family leave without requiring employees to give reasons for their absences.

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Iowa

Lawmakers advanced a pair of bills earlier this week that would strip cities and counties of their authority to set up traffic cameras and collect revenue.

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Kansas

A bill that would ban transgender girls from participating in youth sports has been passed in the Kansas House and Senate.

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Kentucky

Kentucky lawmakers are fast-tracking a bill that would ban gender transition services for trans minors, including social support services like using a student’s preferred pronouns.

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Maine

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) has declared a “right to repair” law for auto manufacturers has qualified for the November ballot.

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Maryland

Governor Wes Moore (D) has appointed Col. Roland Butler as Maryland’s State Police Superintendent.

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Michigan

Lawmakers in Michigan introduced legislation, the CROWN Act, to ban discrimination against natural hairstyles, like braids, locks, and twists.

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Minnesota

Minnesota’s state Senate has approved a bill that would restore voting rights to felons upon leaving prison. Governor Tim Walz (D) is expected to sign the bill.

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Mississippi

Mississippi’s Senate has approved a bill that would prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming care to trans youth.

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Missouri

Missouri’s Senate Emerging Issues Committee has moved forward with a bill that would restrict gender-affirming care for minors.

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Nebraska

A bill that would bar abortions approximately six weeks after conception has been advanced by the Nebraska Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

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Nevada

A bill that would protect patients who sought abortion access outside of the state (initially protected in an executive order issued by former Governor Steve Sisolak (D) has been introduced in committee.

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New Hampshire

Governor Chris Sununu (R) has proposed the elimination of licensure requirements for over 30 professions, making it easier for professionals with out-of-state licenses to have their applications processed in the state.

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New Jersey

Governor Phil Murphy (D) has proposed modernizing liquor laws, which would make it easier for restaurants to get liquor licenses.

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New Mexico

In a party-line vote, the state House of Representatives advanced a bill that would create a permanent absentee voter list, make Election Day a state holiday, and reinstate voting rights for felons following their release from prison.

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North Carolina

North Carolina’s House of Representatives voted to get rid of a requirement that people purchasing handguns must first obtain a permit from a county sheriff.

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North Dakota

North Dakota’s House of Representatives approved a measure that would ban students from using restrooms that do not align with their biological sex.

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Ohio

Ohio’s Department of Health has stated that it will set up a clinic to address the medical needs of residents in East Palestine following the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s House of Representatives have approved a Parental Choice Tax Credit Act that could potentially lead to Oklahoma families receiving tax credits for sending their children to private schools.

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Oregon

Legislation currently under discussion in Oregon’s Senate would give Governor Tina Kotek (D) the power to redraw urban growth boundaries via executive order in order to incorporate more rural land into urban growth boundaries that can be designated for industrial use that would bolster Oregon’s semiconductor industry.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives has convened a special state committee which has advanced a bill that would create a two-year exception to the civil statute of limitations for sex abuse lawsuits.

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South Carolina

South Carolina’s House of Representatives have approved a bill that would allow permit-less carry of handguns.

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South Dakota

South Dakota’s House of Representatives has approved a cut in the state sales tax from 4.5% to 4.2%, the largest tax cut in state history.

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Tennessee

A bill that would ban transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming care has been sent to Governor Bill Lee (R), and is expected to be signed.

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Texas

Governor Greg Abbott (R) has stated that universities cannot use diversity, equity, and inclusion in their hiring processes.

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Vermont

Vermont’s House Health Care Committee has moved forward with a bill that would require a 72-hour waiting period after the purchase of a firearm, and mandate that firearms are stored in a locked container in homes with children.

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Virginia

Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) has called for a review of the College Board AP African American Studies class to ensure it does not violate the Governor’s Executive Order One, which bans topics “including Critical Race Theory.”

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Washington

Lawmakers in Washington are moving forward with measures that would prohibit the sale and transfer of semi-automatic rifles, hold gunmakers liable in some cases of harm, and mandate gun safety training.

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West Virginia

A bill that would permit concealed carry of firearms on public college campuses has been passed in the legislature, and will be sent to the desk of Governor Jim Justice (R).

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Wisconsin

Former Justice Dan Kelly and Judge Janet Protasiewicz received the most votes in the primary for an open seat on the state’s Supreme Court.

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Wyoming

Governor Mark Gordon (R) has signed a bill that would protect the coal industry by granting the governor the power to fund litigation defending coal companies in lawsuits brought against them.

Learn more here.

Capital and Capitol Happenings: New Positions, Promotions, and More

  • Maribel Gallardo: new Government Relations Professional, Samsung Austin Semiconductor

  • James Stevens: new Legislative Aide, PA House of Representatives

  • Jacob Cimperman: new Personal Aide to the Secretary, Ohio Secretary of State

  • Madison Rose: new Senior Director of Advocacy & Counsel for Payments and Technology, Credit Union National Association

  • Scott Levy: new Chief Government Affairs Officer, Amedisys

  • Stephen Keegan: new Senior Counsel, Government and Legal Affairs, Wireless Infrastructure Association

  • Jessica Shirley: new Acting Executive Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

  • Steve Silvestri: new Senior Director, Government Affairs, Neurocrine Biosciences

Happy Birthdays This Week

  • Kyra Harris: Director of Communications, Office of Philadelphia Councilmember Sharon Vaughn

  • Ashley Brinkman: Director of Government Affairs, Pet Advocacy Network

  • Margaret Hardin: Grassroots Manager, NACS

  • José Luis Briones: Public Policy Manager, Airbnb

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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