In this week’s edition of the DMGS State of the States, we explore a wide range of legislative activities and policy developments from across the United States. State lawmakers and governors are taking significant steps to address pressing issues such as healthcare, education, economic development, and public safety. From Alabama’s early bill pre-filings for the 2025 legislative session to California’s efforts to tackle the homelessness crisis and Michigan’s historic budget allocations, each state is navigating its unique challenges and opportunities. Join us as we delve into these and other noteworthy legislative actions that are shaping the policy landscape nationwide.

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Alabama

In preparation for the 2025 legislative session, Alabama lawmakers have begun pre-filing bills addressing various state issues,  ranging from education and healthcare to economic development and public safety.

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California 

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has issued an executive order for state agencies to dismantle homeless encampments following a US Supreme Court ruling permitting cities to ban outdoor public sleeping, though it does not mandate local municipalities to act. This move aims to address the growing homelessness crisis while navigating the complexities of state and local jurisdiction.

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Colorado 

 A 31-member legislative task force, alongside the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning the Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System, convened on Monday to discuss five bills for the upcoming legislative session. The proposals address behavioral health funding and issues with juvenile criminal systems.  

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Connecticut 

The Senate has introduced new bills aimed at protecting children and teenagers online. These measures focus on enhancing privacy, preventing exploitation, and ensuring safer digital environments for young users by implementing stricter regulations on social media and other online platforms.

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Delaware 

Governor John Carney (D) signed House Bill 125, which enhances mental health services for students. The legislation requires schools to hire more mental health professionals and provides additional support for student wellness programs.

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Georgia 

Georgia state lawmakers have allocated $1 million this year to a new program aimed at reducing homelessness, departing from the “Housing First” model which prioritizes immediate housing without preconditions. Republican House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, who designed the state law, advocates for “stable housing accountability programs” that require participants to meet certain requirements, such as regular drug tests, believing these measures are necessary for effective support. 

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Indiana 

Governor Eric Holcomb (R) met with Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel officials to discuss a potential $14.9 billion merger. 

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Illinois

A new Illinois law establishes safety requirements for future carbon sequestration projects. The legislation mandates rigorous standards for site selection, monitoring, and reporting to ensure environmental and public safety during the carbon capture and storage process.

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Iowa 

State legislators plan to revisit a moratorium on new casino licenses in the 2025 legislative session. After the previous two-year moratorium expired last session, lawmakers, concerned about potential profit losses for existing casinos, are determined to propose a new moratorium law. 

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Kentucky

Nine new laws have taken effect in Kentucky, covering areas such as crime, education, and health care. Notable laws include the “Safer Kentucky Act” which imposes tougher penalties for various offenses, regulations on vaping products, the legalization of self-driving cars, and measures to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates.

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Louisiana 

Louisiana legislators will not convene in Baton Rouge for a special session on tax and budget policy in August, despite a push from Gov. Jeff Landry’s (R) revenue secretary. Several lawmakers confirmed this decision during interviews this week. 

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Maine 

Governor Janet Mills (D) has suggested making paid family and medical leave available to all workers in the state. This proposal aims to provide employees with up to 12 weeks of paid leave for serious health conditions, bonding with a new child, or caring for a family member with a serious illness, funded through a payroll tax.

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Massachusetts 

Lawmakers have approved an extension of universal free school meals for another year. The program, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensures all students have access to free breakfast and lunch, aiming to reduce food insecurity and improve student health and academic performance. 

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Michigan 

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed the second part of a historic $82.5 billion state budget, allocating funds for housing, free community college, and more. Whitmer emphasized that the $59 billion general government budget prioritizes public safety, infrastructure, and support for Michigan workers without raising taxes. Additionally, she signed a $23 billion education budget, which she praised for meeting many of her proposed goals and policies.

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Minnesota 

Environmental justice advocates are opposing proposals to classify trash incinerators and wood biomass plants as carbon-free energy sources under Minnesota’s new law aimed at achieving 100% carbon-free power by 2040. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which oversees utility regulations, is currently gathering input on defining carbon-free energy. Utility companies, the forestry industry, and state agencies have suggested including greenhouse gas-emitting sources like waste-to-energy incinerators and wood biomass plants in this category.

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Missouri

A bill on Governor Mike Parson’s (R) desk would allow public schools to offer elective courses on the Bible. The legislation, if signed into law, would permit schools to teach about the Bible’s impact on history, literature, and culture, emphasizing its historical significance rather than promoting religious instruction.

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Nebraska 

Governor Jim Pillen (R) announced a special legislative session to address property tax reform and sports betting legislation. Pillen aims to cut property taxes by nearly 50%, with potential budget balances coming from sports betting revenues.   

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Nevada 

A proposed constitutional amendment to add voter identification requirements has officially qualified for the November ballot. To amend the constitution, the proposition would need to pass in November and again in 2026. 

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New Hampshire 

Republican Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire has signed a bill prohibiting transgender athletes in grades 5-12 from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity. This legislation, passed by the Republican-led Legislature, mandates that school sports teams be designated as girls, boys, or coed, with eligibility based on students’ birth certificates or other evidence. Proponents argue that the law aims to protect girls from potential injuries by larger and stronger transgender athletes. 

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New Jersey 

Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed a bill regulating the collection of medical debt. Collectors are now prohibited from reporting a patient’s medical debt to a credit agency or charging interest rates higher than 3%. 

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New York 

Governor Kathy Hochul (D) announced a $425 million investment from Wells Enterprises to create a new manufacturing facility. New York State is supporting the project with $12 million from jobs program tax credits and plans to expand the dairy industry in Chautauqua County.  

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North Carolina 

Despite legislative efforts and requests from the NCAA, North Carolina failed to restrict prop betting for college athletes. The majority of gambling-legal states have complied with NCAA requests, but North Carolinians will be able to bet on players this upcoming season.  

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Ohio 

Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed House Bill 47, requiring automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in all Ohio schools. The move comes in partnership with the Department of Health who will contribute plans for school emergency action.  

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Pennsylvania 

Recent bipartisan agreements on energy projects and policies in Pennsylvania indicate a gradual shift toward clean energy while maintaining a commitment to fossil fuels. The diverse initiatives, which accompanied the $47.6 billion budget, required support from labor, environmental, and pro-fossil fuel groups, facilitated by federal funding. According to Capitol sources, the final package resulted from extensive negotiations around the June 30 budget deadline. Republicans secured a new fee on electric vehicles and faster environmental permit reviews by state-approved third parties, while Democrats achieved a state grant program to help schools install solar panels.

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Rhode Island 

Governor Dan McKee (D) joined federal and state officials to announce the completion of Phase 1 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. The program has developed new electric vehicle chargers along I-95, as part of Mckee’s push for “leading the charge to decrease [Rhode Island’s] carbon footprint”. Phase 2 further expands charging stations and is set to begin in the fall.  

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Texas 

Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced new measures to border security. Specifically, engineers have been designated to install razor wire along the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez border.  

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Wisconsin 

The battle over election rule-making in Wisconsin persists as the Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules voted on Monday to suspend three proposed emergency rules from the Wisconsin Elections Commission. These rules aimed to establish uniform guidelines for absentee voting, candidate challenges, and nominating paperwork challenges.

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