In this week’s State of the States, we look at a range of measures, from groundbreaking healthcare initiatives to updates on education and infrastructure. In Alabama, legislation was enacted providing legal protections for in vitro fertilization (IVF) services, while in Utah, lawmakers are looking at regulating NIL deals. Dive into the details of these updates and more as we navigate the dynamic landscape of state governance together.
Alabama
Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed legislation into law this week that would grant providers and receivers immunity in civil and criminal cases related to in vitro fertilization (IVF) services.
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Alaska
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would include mental health education in public school curriculum. Under SB24, the state Board of Education would be required to lay out guidelines for how districts should develop mental health courses within the school systems.
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Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) announced plans for a new program in the state that would eliminate $2 billion in medical debt for current residents.
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Arkansas
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) announced plans to invest funding towards water projects across the state. Over $42 million in funding would go towards supporting water and waste projects that support thousands of residents.
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Colorado
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that looks to remove bail for first-degree murder defendants.
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Connecticut
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that seeks to expand renter protections in the state. SB143 would prohibit tenants from getting evicted without just cause by their landlords.
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Delaware
Governor John Carney (D) delivered his state of the state address this week. During his address, he announced plans to strengthen school programs, maintain a strong economy, fight gun violence, and move toward clean energy.
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Florida
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week to address children’s presence on social media. HB3 includes a provision that would prohibit children aged 16 and under from having access to certain social media platforms.
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Georgia
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would remove an existing minimum wage exemption for workers who have disabilities and would enforce the minimum wage provision within the next two years.
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Hawaii
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that looks to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. SB 3336 would permit anyone aged 21 and older to have up to one ounce of marijuana in their possession.
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Idaho
The Idaho Senate recently approved a bill that would require a formal war declaration from Congress before the Idaho National Guard could be deployed on active duty combat missions. Congress, which holds the exclusive authority to declare war, has not officially done so since World War II.
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Illinois
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week would establish the End of Life Options Act, allowing medical patients to choose whether to have medically-assisted deaths.
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Indiana
Governor Eric Holcomb (R) signed legislation into law this week that removes local ordinances that ban the sale of dogs at pet stores and imposes stricter laws for pet retail stores and animal care facilities.
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Iowa
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would ban local government agencies from adopting and enforcing guaranteed income programs.
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Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly (D) has announced the new Kansas Airport Improvement Program intended to provide $14.3 million to nearly 60 projects across 37 airports with goals of improving aviation infrastructure.
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Kentucky
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would change the process of filling vacant U.S. Senate seats. Under HB 622, rather than the governor filling an open U.S. Senate seat, the legislation would permit voters to choose who would fill the seat.
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Louisiana
Governor Jeff Landry (R) signed 11 bills into law this week. The bills target a variety of issues related to death row execution methods, gun control, and parole for those convicted of a crime.
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Maine
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would attempt to keep commercial food waste away from state landfills and instead have it donated or composted.
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Maryland
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that looks to protect gender-affirming care in the state. SB 0119 looks to protect providers from lawsuits regarding gender-affirming care services and protect the health information of patients receiving these services.
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Minnesota
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that aims to increase transparency and accountability among School Resource Officers. The bill establishes parameters for contact that officers can have with students in school settings.
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Mississippi
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would prohibit the use of devices that can convert semi-automatic guns into fully automatic guns.
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Missouri
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would prohibit the allocation of state Medicaid funds to abortion providers and their associated organizations.
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Nebraska
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would require motorcyclists to complete training and safety courses before being permitted to ride their motorcyle without a helmet.
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Nevada
A state lawmaker has introduced a bill to allow fresh starts for some tenants facing evictions. If passed, the bill will require the sealing of public records for evictions if a tenant’s eviction was reversed, never executed, or if the proceeding was dismissed.
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New Jersey
New Jersey lawmakers are fast-tracking legislation that would increase the state’s gas tax collections by about 18% and introduce a new tax on electric vehicle registrations to fund road and bridge work.
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New Mexico
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed four public safety bills into law, two related to gun control and two addressing keeping dangerous individuals off the streets. She considers the new laws a positive step, but is considering a special legislative session to push for additional measures.
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New York
Lawmakers advanced a package of legislation that would support farmers in the state. These measures aim to establish an urban agricultural office, enhance regional farmers’ markets, and address other aspects of agricultural infrastructure.
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Ohio
In Ohio, a bill is being proposed to provide financial assistance to law enforcement agencies facing the need to replace their marijuana-sniffing dogs due to the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state.
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Oklahoma
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that addresses the way that irrigators report their water use to ensure accountability is maintained among irrigation practices.
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Oregon
Lawmakers advanced legislation that would end daylight savings time in the state, abolishing the existing one-hour change that takes place each year.
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Pennsylvania
Lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would prohibit firearms from any polling place during elections.
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South Carolina
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would expand existing gun laws in the state. The bill would allow individuals aged 18 and over to carry guns without a permit or training, and would increase penalties for those who carry guns illegally.
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South Dakota
Governor Kristi Noem (R) signed legislation into law this week that places restrictions on ownership of agricultural land in the state. The legislation prohibits foreign governments and entities from buying land used for agricultural production.
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Tennessee
Lawmakers advanced legislation that places restrictions on booting vehicles in the state. Senate Bill 1692 would require individuals to be licensed before being permitted to “boot” a car.
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Utah
The Legislature passed a bill regulating name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals signed by college athletes. The bill, expected to be signed by Governor Spencer Cox (R), will require universities in Utah to approve student NIL deals over $600.
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Virginia
Lawmakers advanced legislation this week that would prohibit firearms near polling places during elections. This bill would change the existing law and prohibit being within 100 feet of polling entrances compared to the previous 40 feet.
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Washington
The Washington Legislature approved three measures, including a ban on income tax, a “parents’ bill of rights,” and relaxed restrictions on police pursuits.
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West Virginia
The West Virginia House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 200, the state’s annual budget bill, by a vote of 74-to-16. The bill now returns to the Senate for further consideration.
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Wisconsin
Governor Tony Evers (D) signed a bill into law this week that would expand the existing state child care tax credit in an effort to lower the cost of child care.
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