MISSISSIPPI Gov. Phil Bryant (R) signs SB 2438, which requires all school superintendents to be appointed rather than elected (WREG.COM [MEMPHIS]).
MASSACHUSETTS Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signs HB 4173, which lifts the cap on private solar power projects eligible for net metering credits from 4 percent to 7 percent of peak electrical usage, and from 5 percent to 8 percent on public projects (LEXISNEXIS.COM).
The HAWAII House endorses SB 2647, which would ban almost all sales of products made from endangered animals such as elephants, whales, walruses and sharks. The measure, which makes exceptions for sales of products that are at least 100 years old and items for which endangered animal parts compose less than 20 percent, has returned to the Senate (HONOLULU STAR ADVERTISER, LEXISNEXIS STATE NET).
The PENNSYLVANIA Senate and House each approve SB 3, which would legalize medical marijuana use in the Keystone State. It moves to Gov. Tom Wolf (D), who has said he will sign it into law (FOX43.COM [PHILADELPHIA]).
ARKANSAS Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signs HB 1001a, which authorizes a modified version of the Razorback State’s “private option” expanded Medicaid program, which serves approximately 267,000 residents. The law allows the state to impose monthly premiums on some recipients and directs the state’s Human Services Department to refer some enrollees to job-training programs and to offer incentives like dental coverage for enrollees to pay premiums and receive annual wellness exams. The bill must now receive funding from lawmakers, who are meeting this week to determine the DHS’s funding (ARKANSAS ONLINE [LITTLE ROCK]).
The MAINE Senate approves SB 226, which would expand eligibility for Medicaid to cover about 70,000 more low-income residents. The measure moves to the House (PORTLAND PRESS HERALD).
KENTUCKY Gov. Matt Bevin (R) signs SB 134, which establishes rules for the substitution of certain medications with biologic or biosimilar replacements. Those rules include requiring those substitutes to be offered where and when they are available, and to be labeled accordingly (LEXISNEXIS STATE NET).
The HAWAII House approves SB 2392, which would grant health care professionals, first responders and others immunity from criminal or civil penalties for administering the anti-overdose drug naloxone. The measure, which would also require Medicaid to cover the drug, is now back in the Senate for concurrence (LEXISNEXIS STATE NET, HONOLULU ADVERTISER).
The NEBRASKA Legislature approves LB 947, a bill that would allow so-called “dreamers” – immigrants who entered the country illegally but were granted lawful status by the federal government – to qualify for more than 100 professional and commercial licenses in the Cornhusker State. It moves now to Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) for consideration (SIOUX CITY JOURNAL).