This week, several states have moved forward with bills that would increase minimum prison sentences for fentanyl distribution, and for drug distribution that results in the overdose and death of a user. Additionally, New York’s governor is targeting the state’s illicit cannabis market, and policies relating to the construction of affordable housing units reached fruition in Connecticut and Oregon.
And don’t forget to check out this week’s DMGS posts highlighting cryptomining and coastal ecosystem protections.
Alabama
Alabama lawmakers are considering a bill that would institute mandatory prison sentences for fentanyl distribution.
Learn more here.
Alaska
Legislators in Alaska are fast-tracking a measure that would address the state’s food stamp crisis and fill a budget shortfall that occurred due to oil prices being too low.
Learn more here.
Arizona
Arizona’s Supreme Court has ruled that Governor Katie Hobbs (D) is not required to carry out an execution of a prisoner.
Learn more here.
Arkansas
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) has signed legislation that bans transgender people from using bathrooms that conform to their gender identity at public schools.
Learn more here.
California
State lawmakers in California this week advanced a proposal to penalize and scrutinize oil companies.
Learn more here.
Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont (D) has announced $2.5 million in state funding for the construction of 39 affordable housing units by Pacific House, a nonprofit emergency shelter service organization.
Learn more here.
Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has introduced legislation that would ban centralized bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Learn more here.
Georgia
A bill that would ban most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapies for transgender minors has passed Georgia’s Senate, and is headed to the desk of Governor Brian Kemp (R) for signing.
Learn more here.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green (D) has signed a bill protecting abortion rights in the state, after the legislature passed the bill earlier this week.
Learn more here.
Idaho
Idaho’s legislature has passed a bill that will allow the state to execute prisoners by firing squad.
Learn more here.
Illinois
Illinois’ House of Representatives advanced a measure that would phase out single-use polystyrene foam foodware by January 2024.
Learn more here.
Indiana
A House committee has passed a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors in Indiana.
Learn more here.
Iowa
Iowa’s House of Representatives approved a measure that would increase penalties for selling drugs that result in death by overdose.
Learn more here.
Kansas
Kansas’ House of Representatives approved a bill that would require protections in the event of a live birth during an abortion procedure.
Learn more here.
Louisiana
Rep. Francis Thompson (R), a longtime conservative Democrat, has changed his party designation to Republican, giving the GOP a supermajority in Louisiana’s state legislature.
Learn more here.
Maine
Tribal leaders in Maine have called for sovereignty in the State of the Tribes address to Maine’s legislature.
Learn more here.
Maryland
Metrc announced an extension of its contract with the State of Maryland to support the legalization and market regulation of adult-use cannabis.
Learn more here.
Michigan
A judge of Genesee County has approved a $626 million settlement in the Flint water crisis; Flint will pay $20 million, a regional medical center will pay $5 million, and Michigan will pay $600 million to compensate residents.
Learn more here.
Minnesota
Governor Tim Walz (D) has signed a bill that would provide universal free school meals (breakfast and lunch) to all Minnesota students at eligible schools.
Learn more here.
Mississippi
Governor Tate Reeves (R) has signed a bill that would tighten restrictions on who is permitted to gather absentee ballots.
Learn more here.
Montana
Governor Greg Gianforte (R) has signed a bill that would allow state universities to obtain academic brewing licenses, in an effort to increase brewing research in the state.
Learn more here.
Nebraska
Senator Machaela Cavanaugh (D) has vowed to filibuster every bill before the legislature over her opposition to a bill that would ban gender-affirming care.
Learn more here.
Nevada
President Joe Biden has announced his designation of Avi Kwa Ame, a desert mountain in southern Nevada, as a national park–– a decision that Governor Joe Lombardo (R) does not support.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s House of Representatives has approved a measure to expand the legal supply capacity of the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries and allow residents to grow their own cannabis in their homes.
Learn more here.
New York
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has proposed a bill that would target the state’s illicit cannabis market and issue fines to illicit businesses and dispensaries.
Learn more here.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill that would expand Medicaid coverage for approximately 600,000 North Carolina residents.
Learn more here.
North Dakota
North Dakota’s House of Representatives sent a measure to Governor Doug Burgum (R) that would ban school districts from creating policies that accommodate transgender students and respect their preferred pronouns without the permission of parents.
Learn more here.
Ohio
Governor Mike DeWine (R) has stated that he would veto a measure proposed in the Senate to increase speed limits on 2-lane highways.
Learn more here.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s Supreme Court ruled that a woman has the right under the state constitution to terminate a pregnancy that endangers her life.
Learn more here.
Oregon
Oregon’s legislature has given final bipartisan approval to a $200 million housing and homelessness package that allocates $20 million for factory-produced modular housing.
Learn more here.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a measure that would allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to add a special marker to driver’s licenses and license plates (with the volition of the driver) to indicate if the driver is on the autism spectrum.
Learn more here.
South Carolina
Governor Henry McMaster (R) has approved $1.29 billion in state incentives for Volkswagen’s Scout Factory.
Learn more here.
South Dakota
Governor Kristi Noem (R) has signed a law that cuts the state sales tax from 4.5% to 4.2%.
Learn more here.
Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee (R) delivered his annual Governor’s Address at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Learn more here.
Utah
Governor Spencer Cox (R) signed a bill that bans conversion therapy in the state of Utah, with exceptions for someone who is “both a health care professional and a religious advisor… acting substantially in the capacity of a religious advisor” or for health care professionals who are related to their client.
Learn more here.
Vermont
Vermont’s House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill that would impose storage restrictions and a 72-hour waiting period on gun purchases. Governor Phil Scott (R) has suggested he might veto the measure.
Learn more here.
Virginia
Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) has appointed Lisa Coons as the next Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Learn more here.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Senate and Assembly approved bills that would clarify the definition of a “violent crime,” increase penalties for reckless driving, and allow people living in the U.S. under the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program to become law enforcement officers.
Learn more here.
Wyoming
Governor Mark Gordon (R) signed legislation last Friday that would ban the prescription or administration of four abortion-inducing medicines.
Learn more here.
This Week’s DMGS Posts
Capital and Capitol Happenings: New Positions, Promotions, and More
- Darrin Youker: new Policy Director, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Saleem Chapman: new Executive Director, Center for Environmental Excellence, Pennsylvania DEP
- Joshua Mehta: new Director, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, FanDuel
- John Latini: new Executive Director of Federal Relations, University of Alaska
- Sara Parower: new Senior Specialist, Government Relations, BNY Mellon
- Ben Gann: new Senior Director, Government Affairs, Oxy
- Donna Greco: new Government Relations Director for Pennsylvania, American Cancer Society
Happy Birthdays This Week
- Juanita Martinez: Regional Director, General Motors
- Danie Bendesky: Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Pennsylvania Department of State
- Kelsey Wilkinson: Senior Manager of Government Affairs, Medical Society of Virginia
- Joshua Fidler: Director of Legislative Affairs, Pennsylvania Treasury
- Jamison Cruce: Senior Director, Government Affairs, USA Rice Federation
- Eric Blomgren: Chief Administrator and Director of Government Affairs, NJ Gasoline, C-Store, Automotive Association
Latest News
This week’s legislative developments across the U.S. feature efforts addressing key policy areas in response to state-specific challenges. Pennsylvania passed a bipartisan bill clarifying digital asset regulations, while North Carolina allocated substantial relief funds for [...]
In this week's "State of the States,” we highlight critical legislative developments and policy decisions from across the U.S. From Alaska's legal battle over a gas pipeline to California's new law addressing fuel price volatility, [...]
In this week's "State of the States" update for October 4, 2024, we take a closer look at key policy decisions and legislative developments across the country. Alabama's Governor Kay Ivey is considering a transformative [...]
As states continue to address pressing issues, legislatures have made significant strides this week on a variety of topics. From Alabama’s renewed efforts to regulate library content to California’s push for undocumented immigrant homeownership, state [...]
Stay In Touch