Lawmakers in various states around the country took action on a myriad of issues this week. Notably, two states addressed automated speed enforcement, a right-to-repair bill passed in California, Michigan enacted a hands-free driving law, and a Digital Bill of Rights was signed into law in Florida.

Alabama

State lawmakers passed House Bill 473 which would make amendments to the current Safe Haven laws. 

Learn more here.   

Arizona

The Arizona Senate has voted on a new recommendation to confirm a new head of the state prison system. 

Learn more here.         

California

California lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 244, a right to repair bill, which will change requirements for manufacturers’ production of tools and parts for repairs.

Learn more here 

Colorado

Governor Jared Polis (D) vetoed House Bill 23-1190 which would have given cities a right of first refusal to buy apartment buildings for affordable housing reasons. 

Learn more here.      

Connecticut

On Wednesday, the state Senate approved the so-called “Vision Zero” bill that allows Connecticut municipalities to use automated speed enforcement and red light cameras.

Learn more here.   

Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis (R) this week signed Senate Bill 262, a “Digital Bill of Rights” bill, which has a goal of protecting user data on the Internet. 

Learn more here.     

Illinois

The Illinois legislature passed an omnibus election reform piece of legislation, Senate Bill 2123. The bill addresses various election issues, including allowing 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register to vote online, mandating public schools close for the 2024 General Election, and establishing a task force to study future election reforms such as ranked-choice voting.  

Learn more here.     

Louisiana

The Louisiana House has voted in favor of lifting the state’s spending cap by $1.65 billion. 

Learn more here.     

Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a series of “hands-free driving” bills into law this week, which prohibits holding or using a cell phone while driving. 

Learn more here.       

Minnesota

Included in the transportation policy and finance bill that lawmakers passed last month is the approval of a task force to assist in studying the possibility of legalizing speed cameras in Minnesota.

Learn more here.     

New York

New York lawmakers failed to pass two worker protection bills, leaving them to stall for now.

Learn more here.   

Nevada

The Nevada legislature approved a new budget for capital improvements during a special session.

Learn more here.     

Ohio

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would lower the minimum hiring age for police officers from 21 to 18 years old in an attempt to address the workforce shortage issue. 

Learn more here.   

Oklahoma 

The Oklahoma legislature, in a recent special session passed a budget bill that would repeal the franchise tax.

Learn more here.   

Rhode Island

A bill this week advanced through a legislative committee to legalize the possession and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms, otherwise known as “magic mushrooms.”

Learn more here.   

South Carolina

A budget deal between the state House and Senate showed no signs of getting closer to an agreement this week as a conference committee held its first public meeting in 18 days. 

Learn more here.  

Tennessee

A federal judge declared Tennessee’s so-called “anti-drag” law as unconstitutional, but the ruling leaves questions over enforcement and next steps.

Learn more here.  

Vermont

In a move that was widely predicted, Governor Phil Scott (R) vetoed legislation that would have added $120 million in annual funding for child care. 

Learn more here.   

Virginia

On Wednesday, the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board voted to withdraw the state from RGGI, an auction-based carbon emissions reduction program that other East Coast states belong to. 

Learn more here.   

West Virginia

Governor Jim Justice (R) has announced a new plastic conversion facility in a small community near Charleston.

Learn more here.   

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

  • Lindsey Dowling: new Director of Government Affairs – NC, Carolinas Credit Union League
  • Katherine Thordahl: new Digital Director & Deputy Communications Director, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Sarah Mysiewicz: new Senior Pensions Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions
  • Sara O’Neill: new Senior Vice President, Aera Energy LLC
  • Trent Machamer: new Research Analyst, Senate of Pennsylvania
  • Julie Carraghan: new Legislative Director, State Senator Nick Miller
  • Jemille Duncan: new Director of Policy and Legislation, City of Philadelphia
  • Charles Lawlor: new Press Secretary, California State Senate

Happy Birthdays This Week

  • Matthew Welsh: Government Affairs Director, Indivior
  • Jennifer Snyder: Field Coordinator and Policy Advocate, Alliance for American Manufacturing
  • Patrick Millham: Chief of Staff, Swift Solar
  • Joe Hoellerer: Director of Government Affairs, Information Technology Industry Council
  • Hunter Tower: East Coast Director, Freedom Foundation
  • Eric Blackwell: Director, Government and Political Affairs, NRG Energy

Want to wish someone a happy birthday or recognize their new job or promotion? Email future suggestions to rjstevens@dmgs.com.

Latest News