This week, measures pertaining to gun ownership and purchases were passed in Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, and Washington. Additionally, bills expanding healthcare access or provisions gained traction in Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and North Carolina.
Arkansas
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) has rolled out a legislative package that would provide 3,000 prison beds in the state and mandate that violent offenders serve their full sentences.
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California
Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed a law that would allow the California Energy Commission to cap oil company profits by setting a maximum gross gasoline refining margin.
Learn more here.
Colorado
Colorado’s legislature gave final approval to measures which would allow citizens to file lawsuits against gun dealers and manufacturers, and expand red-flag laws.
Learn more here.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill that would raise the legal age to purchase long guns to 21, ban open carry, and prohibit bulk purchases of firearms.
Learn more here.
Delaware
Delaware’s Senate passed a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana. The bill now goes to the desk of Governor John Carney (D), who vetoed similar legislation last year.
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Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has signed legislation that would expand education savings accounts of up to $8,000 to all eligible students and remove income restrictions on school choice programs.
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Georgia
Georgia’s House and Senate have finished work on a bill that would create a commission to discipline and remove local prosecutors.
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Idaho
Governor Brad Little (R) signed a bill that would allow the state to conduct executions by firing squad.
Learn more here.
Indiana
Indiana’s legislature has approved a bill that would ban gender-affirming care. The bill will now be sent to Governor Eric Holcomb (R), who has not made clear whether he would sign or veto it.
Learn more here.
Iowa
Iowa’s House of Representatives passed a bill to increase the state penalty for fentanyl production, distribution, and possession. A similar version of the bill has passed through committee in the Senate.
Learn more here.
Kansas
Kansas’ Senate passed a bill that would raise the legal age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21. The bill now heads to Governor Laura Kelly (D) for signing.
Learn more here.
Maryland
Governor Wes Moore (D) has indicated his intent to sign legislation that would require the state Medicaid program to cover gender-affirming therapies and procedures.
Learn more here.
Massachusetts
Governor Maura Healy (D) has signed a supplemental budget which would include funding for critical reproductive health care and abortion resources.
Learn more here.
Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a bill that would repeal a right-to-work law and reinstate union-level wages for state-funded construction projects.
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Mississippi
Mississippi’s legislature gave final approval to a measure that would designate $103.7 million for the purpose of maintaining the operation of 28 rural hospitals.
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Missouri
Missouri’s House of Representatives has amended the state’s budget to ban funding for diversity programs.
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New Jersey
This week, New Jersey residents who are eligible for ANCHOR property tax relief payments will begin receiving the first batch of direct deposits.
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New Mexico
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) has signed a law that would provide free school meals to all students regardless of family income.
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North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper (D) signed a bill to expand Medicaid to cover 600,000 state residents.
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North Dakota
Governor Doug Burgum (R) signed a bill to exempt military pay from the state income tax.
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Ohio
Governor Mike DeWine (R) has signed an Executive Order classifying xylazine as a controlled substance.
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Oregon
Oregon’s joint budget committee approved a $210 million bill to help businesses seeking federal grants and to boost semiconductor manufacturing.
Learn more here.
Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) is calling for funding to support farmers and address avian flu in Pennsylvania.
Learn more here.
South Carolina
Richard Eckstrom (R), South Carolina’s chief accountant and state comptroller has resigned following a $3.5 billion accounting error.
Learn more here.
South Dakota
Governor Kristi Noem (R) signed several bills which will modify election and voting registration laws in the state.
Learn more here.
Texas
Texas’s Senate State Affairs Committee approved two bills that would restrict drag shows in the state.
Learn more here.
Vermont
Vermont’s House of Representatives approved a bill that would legalize online sports betting and install a 20% tax on the revenues of sports betting companies.
Learn more here.
Virginia
Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) signed a bipartisan bill that would create a $300 tax credit for the purchase of gun safes or other lockable gun containers.
Learn more here.
Washington
Washington’s Senate Law and Justice Committee advanced a bill that would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and sale of several semi-automatic firearms.
Learn more here.
West Virginia
Governor Jim Justice (R) signed a bill banning gender affirming care for minors in the state.
Learn more here.
Capital and Capitol Happenings: New Positions, Promotions, and More
- Jason Perkins-Cohen: new Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Labor
- Jose Osuna: new Director of External Affairs, Brilliant Corners
- Mike Tien: new Senior Counsel, Policy, Aurora
- Weezie Nuara: new Assistant Secretary for Federal and Regional Energy Affairs, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- Elizabeth Stieber Rementer: new Press Secretary, Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Matt Bradford
- Rebecca London: new Senior Government Affairs Manager, DraftKings Inc.
Happy Birthdays This Week
- Alex Aragon: Executive Assistant, Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott
- Tyler Power: Director of Government Relations, Hy-Vee, Inc.
- Sherry Stanley Whitworth: Managing Director, Public Affairs and Advocacy
- Marlow Colvin: Vice President of Government Affairs, ComEd
- Gene Veno: Director of Governmental Affairs & Public Advocacy, Susquehanna River Basin Commission
- Eric Kiehl: Director of Policy and Partnership, PA Association of Community Health Centers
- Robert Kearley: Director, State Government Affairs, 3M
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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