This week’s State of the States highlights a range of legislative actions across the U.S., reflecting the diverse priorities of state governments. From Alabama setting special election dates to California tackling AI chatbot regulations, states are addressing critical issues like mental health, education, environmental justice, and public safety. Governors wielded veto power in Arizona and Connecticut, while Hawaii finalized a historic wildfire settlement. Learn more about these and other actions in our latest recap below:
Alabama
On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed a proclamation to set special election dates for Alabama House District 13. Governor Ivey set the special primary election for Tuesday, September 30, 2025; the special primary runoff, if necessary, for Tuesday, October 28, 2025; and the special general election for Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Learn more here
Alaska
Proponents of a plan in Alaska to legalize certain psychedelics – including psilocybin, mescaline, and DMT – have submitted an initial round of voter signatures as part of the campaign’s effort to put the proposed measure on the 2026 state ballot. Provided that at least 100 of the files signatures are deemed valid, state Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (R) would then have 60 days to decide whether to certify the proposal for further signature gathering in order to qualify for the state ballot.
Learn more here
Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) vetoed 178 bills passed by the Republican-controlled legislature, setting a new record for vetoes in a single legislative session. Some of the bills she vetoed placed restrictions on voting access. Other vetoes targeted efforts she viewed as punitive or politically motivated, such as barring state funding for higher education institutions that offer diversity, equity and inclusion courses.
Learn more here
Arkansas
On Monday, members of a joint legislative committee approved an interim study proposal on improving the mental health of Arkansas’ first responders. The study’s sponsor aims to expand mental health access through a statewide peer-to-peer support network designed for first responders.
Learn more here
California
A bill advancing through the state legislature seeks to address the impacts of “companion” chatbots, which are artificial intelligence-powered systems designed to simulate human relationships and provide emotional support. The bill would require companies running companion chatbots to avoid using addictive tricks and unpredictable rewards. Companies would also be required to remind users at the start of the interaction and every three hours that they are talking to a machine – not a human.
Learn more here
Colorado
Colorado legislators are considering a special session to cover a budget hole amounting to a deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars, resulting from spending changes recently passed in Congress’ “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Learn more here
Connecticut
On Tuesday, Governor Ned Lamont (D) vetoed House Bill 7004, which would have allowed Connecticut towns of up to 16,000 people to overturn by referendum rulings from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Governor Lamont justified the veto, claiming that DEEP’s permitting process already offers extensive opportunities for public engagement and that the mechanism proposed in HB 7004 could have unintended consequences that weaken critical protections for environmental justice communities.
Learn more here
Delaware
A group of bills proposed at the end of this year’s legislative session aim to strip local governments of some land use authority, known as “home rule.” The proposals included mandates for Delaware’s three counties to ease restrictions on where marijuana shops can be located, prohibitions on local governments denying certain electrical substation projects, and requirements to include affordable housing units and more accessible parking.
Learn more here
Florida
House Bill 1255, passed this spring, requires parents to consent to corporal punishment either for the school year or before each instance the punishment is used in traditional public and charter schools. The new measure will begin in the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
Learn more here
Hawaii
On Tuesday, Governor Josh Green (D) signed a bill approving the $4.037 billion settlement for claims related to the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. The measure commits the state to pay more than $807 million into the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund over four years, while several other parties are required to pay the remaining amount.
Learn more here
Illinois
House Bill 2425, currently awaiting Governor JB Pritzker (D)’s signature, could reduce discrimination in the life insurance industry. The bill would ban insurance companies from limiting or denying life insurance coverage based on a criminal record.
Learn more here
Indiana
Enlistment at the Indiana National Guard has been on decline for years, but is now on its way back up. Governor Mike Braun (R) ceremoniously signed legislation, in effect July 1, to address these challenges with enlistment through award and benefit changes.
Learn more here
Iowa
Democrat Senator Herman Quirmbach requested a special session to be held to override Governor Kim Reynolds (R)’s veto on House File 639, which would restrict hazardous liquid pipeline companies from using eminent domain. Last month, the House gathered enough support to call a special session, but the Senate did not.
Learn more here
Kansas
A bipartisan council of Kansas lawmakers voted on Monday for a six-month extension on the deadline for the Missouri-based Kansas City Royals or the Kansas City Chiefs to accept economic development incentives from Kansas for the construction of sports stadiums. The Kansas Department of Commerce can now continue to present options for stadium deals to the Legislative Coordinating Council until December 31, 2025.
Learn more here
Kentucky
Lawmakers gathered last Friday to discuss disaster relief funding needs during the inaugural meeting of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force. Going forward, the biggest goals for the task force are to focus on how to recover and mitigate risk, and gain the Kentucky General Assembly’s budgetary support.
Learn more here
Louisiana
Governor Jeff Landry (R) and the Legislature have changed how the Louisiana Board of Ethics operates, adding new rules to how it investigates allegations of conflicts of interest, nepotism and other forms of corruption.
Learn more here
Maine
Lawmakers recently amended Maine’s Death With Dignity law, giving physicians the discretion to shorten the mandatory 17-day waiting period before providing life-ending medication. The amendment will allow physicians to shorten the waiting period to as few as seven days, taking effect in September.
Learn more here
Maryland
Governor Wes Moore (D) announced on July 6 that eligible Maryland households will receive increased energy assistance benefits through the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs. The enhanced benefits, supported by increased funding from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, aim to help families manage rising energy costs in fiscal year 2026.
Learn more here
Massachusetts
Representative Jim Hawkins (D) has introduced a bill to prevent any law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth from wearing any type of mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Learn more here
Michigan
Bills recently sponsored in the Michigan House of Representatives would allow student-athletes at state universities to organize into unions by classifying student-athletes as university employees. If signed into law, the bills would set the stage for union bargaining over questions like revenue sharing, training and work conditions, and name, image and likeness (NIL) agreements.
Learn more here
Minnesota
The Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee met on Tuesday in the first official legislative meeting since the shooting attacks on two lawmakers and their spouses last month. During the meeting, Department of Human Services officials walked through their protocols to prevent fraud in public programs and recent legislative changes to meet that goal.
Learn more here
Mississippi
Governor Tate Reeves (R) announced on Monday that voters in three different areas of the state will choose new legislators in a November 4 special election. The three vacancies occurred because two lawmakers were recently sworn in as mayors of their respective cities, and a third resigned halfway through his term.
Learn more here
Missouri
The Missouri House of Representatives announced on Wednesday a series of public hearings that will be held across the state to gather input on property tax reform. Lawmakers want to hear directly from Missouri residents about how to best improve the property tax system and find solutions that protect homeowners, promote economic stability, and ensure accountability.
Learn more here
Montana
Montana’s recently wrapped legislative session opened doors to expand mental health care services across the state. At a recent commission meeting, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services said it is considering the Billings area to build the state’s second forensic facility, as the first facility holds only 53 beds and has a waitlist of about 100 people.
Learn more here
Nebraska
Last November, 71% of voters approved the broad Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act. Now, the commission that is charged with implementing the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act is trying to slash the program. Just before the July 1 deadline, Governor Jim Pillen (R) signed many medical cannabis emergency regulations that strictly limit the cannabis industry.
Learn more here
Nevada
Governor Joe Lombardo (R) recently vetoed Assembly Bill 44, a legislative effort aimed at curbing alleged price-fixing practices on essential goods and services. Governor Lombardo feared the bill was “government overreach” and argued that its broad language could lead to subjective and inconsistent enforcement.
Learn more here
New Hampshire
Last month, Governor Kelly Ayotte (R) signed House Bill 633, allowing lawmakers to study the possibility of establishing a new revenue stream to add to the mix of existing options that fund affordable housing projects in New Hampshire. Specifically, lawmakers are studying whether to establish a housing investment trust that could operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, accept donations and other funds, and develop or restore buildings for housing development.
Learn more here
New Jersey
On Wednesday, July 9, Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed three bills to bolster early childhood education in New Jersey. The new bills build on a multi-year, administration-wide effort to expand access to free, high-quality preschool and full-day kindergarten programs.
Learn more here
New Mexico
In preparation for New Mexico’s next 60-day legislative session in 2027, the interim Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee is strategizing about how to best approach raising taxes on electronic nicotine products. A proposal introduced in the last legislative session would have raised the tax from 12.5% on electronic cigarettes to 40%, but the bill never received a final vote in the House Taxation and Revenue Committee.
Learn more here
New York
New York City lawmakers plan to introduce a new bill designed to prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks or other face coverings while acting as federal agents. The proposed legislation is called the Mandating End to Lawless Tactics, or MELT, Act.
Learn more here
North Carolina
Governor Josh Stein (D) vetoed three bills on Wednesday, rejecting legislation that would allow private school employees to carry guns, bar local governments from further regulating pet shops, and protect nonprofits’ member and donor information.
Learn more here
North Dakota
Governor Kelly Armstrong (R) intended to veto $150,000 in one-time funds for a Native American homeless liaison, but accidentally also crossed out $25 million for a housing program and $10 million to combat homelessness. North Dakota legislators are scheduled to go into a closed session on Friday to discuss a possible lawsuit over the veto error.
Learn more here
Ohio
Republican lawmakers are frustrated by Governor Mike DeWine (R)’s 67 line-item vetoes in the new state budget, and planned a special session later this month to override some of those. The special session is scheduled for Monday, July 21, and is going to prioritize three property tax-related vetoes.
Learn more here
Oklahoma
Amid struggles with data collection and participation, two Republican lawmakers are working to examine the long-term effectiveness of a state incubator program, designed to nurture new small businesses. The program, created in 1988 through the Oklahoma Small Business Incubators Incentives Act, provides startup businesses with state tax exemptions for up to 10 years. Lawmakers are worried it may not be having the intended long-term impact or may not be marketed effectively.
Learn more here
Oregon
Lawmakers passed at least a dozen bills to address Oregon’s housing crisis during the past six-month legislative session. The bills cover a variety of issues, including limiting rent increases for manufactured home park residents, creating a statewide shelter program, and supporting factory-produced housing.
Learn more here
Pennsylvania
On Tuesday, Democrats on the House Education Committee blocked members of the Republican minority in the state House who tried to force a vote on a bill to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports in public schools and publicly funded colleges.
Learn more here
Rhode Island
Out of the 513 bills the General Assembly sent to Governor Dan McKee (D) this year, only two have been vetoed – both aimed at giving Rhode Island drivers partial credits for fees on canceled vehicle registrations. McKee cited significant implementation burdens on the DMV and negative fiscal impacts as justifications for the vetoes.
Learn more here
South Dakota
On Monday, a group of lawmakers convened in Pierre to talk about the long-term survival for the ambulance services now provided by a mix of paid and volunteer response teams across the state. The Emergency Medical Services Interim Committee heard testimony on law passage rates for emergency medical technician exams, a decline in volunteerism, and the difficulty of setting up an ambulance district. The study group will reconvene on July 23 to produce a report for lawmakers on the sustainability of ambulance services in South Dakota.
Learn more here
Tennessee
Tennessee lawmakers and Jewish community leaders gathered at the State Capitol in Nashville on Monday for a special ceremony commemorating the passage of House Bill 1188, a new law designed to combat antisemitic discrimination in the state’s public education system.
Learn more here
Texas
Governor Greg Abbott (R) called state lawmakers to return to Austin for a pre-planned special session later this month to consider responses to disastrous flooding in Central Texas over the weekend.
Learn more here
Vermont
Legislators have appointed 11 lawmakers and education officials to a school redistricting task force. The new body will be responsible for designing new school district boundaries for the state’s public education system and plans to meet for the first time on or around August 1, 2025.
Learn more here
Virginia
The newly formed joint commission tasked with overseeing Virginia’s transition to a legal retail cannabis market held its inaugural meeting in Richmond on Wednesday. The commission is set to operate through July 1, 2028, acting as a forum for public engagement and legislative planning, aiming to build consensus on cannabis policy.
Learn more here
Washington
Washington has launched a hotline for residents in King, Spokane, and Clark counties to report hate crimes and bias incidents. The non-emergency hotline will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for at least the next 18 months.
Learn more here
West Virginia
West Virginia’s new “Move Over” law will go into effect this week, requiring motorists to get into the far lane away from anybody pulled to the side of the highway. The new measure expands the previous Move Over law to add highway workers, emergency vehicles, or disabled motorists to the list of reasons to move over.
Learn more here
Wisconsin
Assembly Bill 190 could discourage government agencies from delaying the release of public records. The bill advanced to an Assembly hearing in late June with broad bipartisan support, but it remains uncertain whether Speaker Robin Vos (R) supports the bill or will bring it to a vote this time around.
Learn more here
Latest News
This week’s State of the States highlights the broad scope of legislative action taking shape across the country. From education initiatives in Alabama, Michigan, and Texas to pressing public safety measures in Arizona, Georgia, Minnesota, [...]
This week’s State of the States covers a wide range of legislative and executive actions across the country, from new laws on camp safety in Texas and crypto ATM fraud prevention in Arizona to debates [...]
From education reforms and infrastructure projects to debates over cannabis regulation and budget showdowns, states across the country are advancing a wide range of policy initiatives this week. In the August 15th edition of DMGS [...]
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 [...]
Stay In Touch