Welcome to October! In the first week of the month, plenty of legislative and executive action occurred on various issues and topics. In California, the governor signed a bill to allow remote notariziation, Massachusetts enacted its first tax relief in over two decades, and a Pennsylvania House Committee advanced legislation to make it easier for consumers to purchase popular concert tickets.
Alabama
The federal Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is opening an investigation into the state’s wastewater infrastructure and if it was discriminatory towards African-American residents.
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California
Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed Senate Bill 969 allowing remote online notarization, making California the 44th state to pass such legislation. The law is expected to go into effect in multiple phases, with full functionality expected by 2030.
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Connecticut
Connecticut’s new gun control law went into effect this week. Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (D), the new law bans the open carrying of firearms as well as the sale of more than three handguns to any one person within a 30-day period.
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Florida
This week, House Bill 919, or the Homeowner’s Association Bill of Rights, went into effect. The new law increases accountability and transparency for HOAs and condo associations.
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Idaho
District Judge Samuel Hoagland dismissed the lawsuit against House Bill 124, which removed student IDs as a form of voter ID. The suit, brought on by Babe Vote and the League of Women Voters in Idaho, argued that HB 124 made it more difficult for 18-year-old students in school to vote.
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Maine
An upcoming ballot question seeks to restore language previously omitted from Maine’s constitution. In an effort to ensure transparency, question 6 on the November 7th ballot will ask voters whether they would like to return passages containing the state’s rights and responsibilities to tribal nations.
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Maryland
Maryland’s Child Victims Act went into effect this week. The new law eliminated the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse victims, making it possible for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek reparations.
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Massachusetts
Earlier this week, Governor Maura Healey (D) signed a $1 billion tax cut package, the first tax cuts in Massachusetts in over two decades.
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Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed two pieces of legislation this week that expand the bargaining power of public-school teachers. House Bill 2356 eliminates the discussion of third-party contracting, while House Bill 4357 allows school districts to enter into collective bargaining agreements that deduct union dues from employee compensation.
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Missouri
$50 million in safety grants for Missouri’s public and private schools was announced by Governor Mike Parson (R). A number of schools received grants for safety enhancements through a competitive process; these funds can be used for things like emergency medical kits and modifications to physical security. This cash is on top of the $20 million that was previously set up for comparable goals that were exclusive to public schools.
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Nebraska
Governor Jim Pillen (R) reaffirmed his support for Legislative Bill 753, often known as the “Opportunity Scholarships” bill, by donating $100,000 to the Keep Kids First Committee.
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Nevada
Over 100 bills passed earlier this year have taken effect in Nevada. The new laws include increased penalties for fentanyl trafficking, improvements to prison health care, fundraising restrictions for state officers, and more.
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New York
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) signed a series of legislation this week, all bringing changes to the state’s employment laws. One new law prohibits employers from requesting an employee’s social media account log-in information, while another mandates that employers provide separated employees with written notice of unemployment eligibility benefits.
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Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania House Consumer Protection Committee unanimously advanced three bills this week. Each bill is intended to improve online purchase transparency and provide Pennsylvania consumers with a “fighting chance” to buy popular concert tickets.
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Texas
Proposition 1 in the upcoming Texas election seeks to limit municipal governments’ power to regulate agriculture. The amendment builds on statutory changes that expanded the state’s right-to-farm statute since 1981, limiting local-level regulation and strengthening agricultural operations’ protections from lawsuits.
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Virginia
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) proposed a $418 million investment to address students’ learning loss, with a particular emphasis on grades 3 through 8. The action was taken in response to the state’s dismal SOL test results, which raised worries about COVID-19-related educational failures. The money is intended for a statewide tutoring program and is a component of Youngkin’s “All In Virginia” agenda.
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Wisconsin
State Representative Alex Joers (D) and Senator Chris Larson (D), are co-authoring a bill to repeal the statewide ban on skateboarding. The bill would instead allow municipalities to pass their own skateboarding ordinances to determine whether riding on roadways is legal.
Learn more here
Capital and Capitol Happenings: New Positions, Promotions, and More
- Greg Rowe: new Executive Director, Keystone Restituere Justice Center
- John (JP) Bell: new Public Policy Representative, Florida Realtors
- Katie Donnell: new Director, Public Policy & Government Affairs, Palo Alto Networks
- Ashley McDonald: new Executive Director, National Grazing Lands Association
- Amy Berry Hicks: new Associate Manager, Government Relations, Kellanova
- Carol Leonard: new Manager, Government Affairs, Avēsis, LLC
Happy Birthdays This Week
- Alexis Leicht: Government Relations Representative, Orange County Transportation Authority
- David Kozak: Chief of Staff, Pennsylvania State Senator Dan Laughlin
- Joshua Althouse: Public Policy Manager, Facebook
- Brian Shank: Director, State Government Affairs, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- David Urbanowicz: Vice President of External Affairs & Business Development, Metrc
- George Stark: Director, External Affairs, Coterra Energy
- Patrick Killen: State Government Affairs, Chevron
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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