Heading into the Memorial Day Weekend, various State Capitols remained busy as lawmakers and governors worked to advance various proposals ranging from unspent COVID relief dollars to automated speed enforcement. Additionally, Montana became the first state to explicitly ban drag performers from reading to children in public schools and Louisiana lawmakers advanced legislation that seeks to ban “foreign adversaries” from purchasing land in the state.
Alabama
Governor Kay Ivey (R) has awarded $26 million across the state to aid the low-income energy assistance program (LIHEAP).
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Alaska
The Alaska Senate passed Senate Bill 89, which would increase the state’s minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products to 21 years old.
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California
California lawmakers killed almost 300 bills in the mysterious “suspense file.”
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Colorado
The Colorado Senate has failed to pass a land use reform bill that was introduced to eliminate single-family zoning.
Learn more here.
Connecticut
The Connecticut House passed legislation this week that would allow municipalities to use automated cameras to enforce speed limit and red light violations.
Learn more here.
Florida
Florida lawmakers have failed to pass Senate Bill 1316 which would have required internet bloggers to register with the state and a series of other new requirements.
Learn more here.
Hawaii
Hawaii is in the midst of a two year pilot program for red light cameras, but speed cameras may be on the way if lawmakers pass legislation allowing them as well.
Illinois
The Illinois legislature has passed a bill to require public school districts in the state to establish full-day kindergarten.
Learn more here.
Kansas
Kansas GOP lawmakers have pushed to expand food assistance across the state.
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Louisiana
The Louisiana Legislature advanced a series of bills that seek to ban “foreign adversaries” from purchasing land in the state.
Learn more here.
Michigan
Michigan could lose $1 billion in unspent federal COVID relief funding that the state plans to use for budget appropriations depending on how negotiations go in D.C. over the debt limit, as Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) wants the federal government to rescind unused COVID relief funding.
Learn more here.
Minnesota
Lawmakers passed an the omnibus transportation budget that includes a provision requiring the state to study the issue of automated speed enforcement.
Learn more here.
Montana
Montana became the first state to explicitly ban drag performers from reading to children in public schools.
Learn more here.
North Dakota
State lawmakers are soon set to have numerous interim studies to deal with, on topics including tax cuts and term limits.
Learn more here.
New York
Lawmakers in New York advanced a new series of bills to make parole considerations easier for incarcerated people.
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Oklahoma
A legislative committee in Oklahoma recommended different projects to receive the the last of the state’s share in federal ARPA dollars.
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Oregon
Oregon’s Senate has passed Senate Bill 337 to address issues within the justice system in the state.
Learn more here.
Rhode Island
State lawmakers proposed a piece of legislation that would require businesses and groups which aren’t tax exempt to pay property taxes, and hospitals are saying that this may impact physician groups.
Learn more here.
South Carolina
Lawmakers passed a six week abortion ban this week, sending the bill to the desk of the governor.
Learn more here.
South Dakota
Governor Kristi Noem (R) is calling for better mental health awareness across the state to aid South Dakota individuals and families in reducing the stigma of mental health.
Learn more here.
Texas
Texas’s Governor Greg Abbott (R) has signed Senate Bill 505 into law which will require a registration fee for electric vehicles.
Learn more here.
Virginia
Earlier this year, Virginia passed a bill that would allow for posthumous diplomas to be awarded to senior students who die before graduation, at the request of parents.
Learn more here.
Capital and Capitol Happenings: New Positions, Promotions, and More
- Tirzah Duren: new Director of Tech Policy, American Consumer Institute
- Angela Bowie: new Vice President, Public Policy, Arise
- Max Fenkell: new Head of Government Relations, Scale AI
- Chris Fetterman: new Special Advisor on Economic Development, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Happy Birthdays This Week
- Alexander Houseman: Director of Government Affairs, Big “I” Michigan
- Nicole Wilbourn: Senior Government Affairs Representative, Highmark Inc.
- Eric Failing: Executive Director, Pennsylvania Catholic Conference
- Andy Sandusky: Executive VP, Public Policy and Association Affairs, Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association
- Jim Nikolai: Vice President – State Government Affairs, Synchrony
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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