Welcome to the latest edition of the DMGS Weekly State of the States. State Legislatures around the country had a busy week leading up to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, from California cracking down on social media privacy to Pennsylvania lawmakers addressing affordable childcare.
Alabama
Governor Kay Ivey (R) has signed a seafood labeling bill into law. This legislation requires that any seafood sold in Alabama be properly labeled with its country of origin. The goal of the law is to provide consumers with more information about the seafood they are purchasing, ensuring transparency and supporting local seafood industries.
Learn more here
Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) signed an executive order that makes contraceptives available for state workers. The order requires health insurance plans to cover contraceptives without cost sharing, aligning with the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive coverage mandate.
Learn more here
California
The state legislature has advanced bills that address various issues related to social media platforms, including misinformation, online privacy, and the spread of harmful content. The legislation aims to regulate social media platforms more effectively and protect children in particular from harmful practices.
Learn more here
Colorado
Governor Jared Polis (D) has signed multiple transit bills into law. These bills aim to improve public transportation and accessibility across the state, including measures to enhance affordability and sustainability statewide.
Learn more here
Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont (D) has signed a bill into law that establishes new guidelines for police-use of body cameras. The legislation requires all police officers in the state to be trained on when they can and cannot turn their cameras off. The goal of the law is to increase transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
Learn more here
Delaware
A bill regarding the Delaware Hospital Cost Review Board has passed the House for the second time and awaits Governor John Carney’s (D) signature. This legislation aims to address hospital costs and could have significant implications for healthcare in the state.
Learn more here
Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill that removes references to climate change from state law. The new law, which will take effect on July 1st, prioritizes less reliance on foreign energy and the strengthening of the state’s energy infrastructure.
Learn more here
Georgia
Georgia lawmakers had introduced legislation this session aimed at protecting child influencers. HB 968, presented by State Representative Kim Schofield (D), suggests that a portion of the earnings from content prominently featuring children must be set aside in a dedicated account until the child reaches adulthood at 18.
Learn more here
Kentucky
Despite a few incumbents losing their seats, most Kentucky legislators successfully fended off primary challengers in this week’s election, which saw voters select candidates for the upcoming November ballots.
Learn more here
Maine
Governor Janet Mills (D) has signed an executive order establishing a commission focused on infrastructure rebuilding. This commission will work to develop strategies and plans for long-term infrastructure resilience in Maine, addressing various aspects such as transportation, utilities, and environmental considerations.
Learn more here
Minnesota
Governor Tim Walz (D) has signed a package of bills that includes measures aimed at expanding access to voting, improving voter protections, and enhancing voter participation in Minnesota.
Learn more here
Mississippi
A new law aimed at holding law enforcement officers more accountable has been signed by Governor Tate Reeves (R) . This legislation includes measures to increase transparency, oversight, and consequences for misconduct within law enforcement agencies, aiming to strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Learn more here
Missouri
A Missouri bill is awaiting Governor Mike Parson’s (R) signature, which aims to provide property tax relief to seniors with pensions. If signed, SB 190 would offer financial assistance to eligible seniors by freezing their property tax rates, potentially alleviating some of their tax burdens and improving their financial stability.
Learn more here
New Jersey
The New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee released a series of bills to combat “deepfakes.” Under one bill, manufacturing or distributing deepfakes would be a third-degree crime, with civil action rights for victims. Another bill bans political deepfakes 90 days before an election. $2 million allocated for a Deepfake Technology Unit.
Learn more here
New York
Governor Kathy Hochul (D), with this year’s session quickly coming to an end, is advocating for legislation aimed at protecting children on social media.
Learn more here
North Carolina
The State House has declined to agree with changes made by the Senate to a law concerning mask-wearing. This decision indicates a disagreement between the two chambers of the state legislature regarding the specifics of mask mandates.
Learn more here
Ohio
New legislation out of the State House aims to reduce childcare costs by introducing a three-way cost-share program where the state, employers, and employees share the financial burden. SB 273, supported by both legislative chambers, seeks to make childcare more accessible and affordable, and encourage more parents to return to the workforce.
Learn more here
Pennsylvania
The State House has passed a bill with bipartisan support that offers tax credits to employers who contribute to their employees’ child-care expenses.
Learn more here
Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee (R) signed the Smart Heart Act, which mandates that all schools have an accessible automated external defibrillator (AED) near athletic facilities and requires coaches and athletic directors to undergo CPR, AED, and first aid training. This law, inspired by the NFL’s Smart Heart Sports Coalition, aims to ensure swift emergency responses to cardiac events in schools, significantly enhancing safety for student athletes.
Learn more here
Virginia
Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) has signed three new bills aimed at protecting children. These measures include establishing the CODI Alert Program to enhance Amber Alert systems, revising the legal definition of child pornography to address technological loopholes, and modifying probation periods for sexual offenses against minors. These steps are intended to bolster child safety across the state.
Learn more here
Latest News
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 [...]
Welcome to this week's edition of "DMGS Weekly State of the States," where we provide a comprehensive roundup of the latest state legislative and policy news from across the country. This week, we highlight efforts [...]
In this week's legislative roundup, states across the country have made notable strides in addressing pressing issues in their respective jurisdictions. California approved a budget with significant spending cuts and tax increases to manage a [...]
Welcome to the DMGS Weekly State of the States! This week, we highlight various legislative developments, including Alabama's proposal for state oversight of local police departments, Arizona's budget adjustments to address a financial shortfall, and [...]
Stay In Touch