Editor: Rich Ehisen Associate Editor: Korey Clark Editorial Advisor: Lou Cannon Contributing Editor: Mary Peck , David Giusti Correspondents: Cathy Santsche, Felicia Carrillo Graphic Design: Vanessa Perez Design
Although the general public has barely even heard of it, the so-called Internet of Things has dominated talk in tech circles for years. Now lawmakers in both statehouses and Congress are getting involved, too. In case you missed it, the story can...
Editor: Rich Ehisen Associate Editor: Korey Clark Contributing Editor: Mary Peck, David Giusti Editorial Advisor: Lou Cannon Correspondents: Richard Cox (CA), Lauren Davis (MA), Steve Karas (CA) and Ben Livingood (PA), Cathy Santsche (CA), Dena Blodgett...
IN Circuit Court of Appeals The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a district court ruling striking down an INDIANA law that barred abortions performed because the fetus was determined to have a developmental or physical disability. Judge William...
CO Governor Signs SB 176 COLORADO Gov. Jared Polis (D) signs SB 176 , which requires Centennial State school districts to offer opportunities for qualified high school students to enroll in college-level classes that can be applied to both a high school...
At the start of this year, many observers believed states might be lining up to duplicate California’s tough new data privacy law, set to go into effect next year. That rush didn’t quite materialize, but that doesn’t mean lawmakers completely...
ME Senate Approves HB 798 The MAINE Senate approves HB 798 , which would abolish all but purely medical exemptions from the state’s school vaccination law. It moves to Gov. Janet Mills (D), who is expected to sign it (PORTLAND PRESS HERALD)....
CA Assembly Approves AB 1162 The CALIFORNIA Assembly approves AB 1162 , which would largely ban the small bottles of shampoo and other toiletries provided by hotels. Hotels could still provide the small bottles of shampoo and other personal care products...
Because we live in the strangest of times, personal flame throwers really are now a thing. That’s because, as CalMatters reports , Golden State lawmakers quietly snuffed out a bill that would have prevented Elon Musk – he of Tesla and SpaceX...
IA Governor Signs SF 2349 IOWA Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signs SF 2349 , which allows health insurers Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield to partner with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to sell policies defined as not technically being health insurance...
CA City Council Votes The BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA City Council unanimously votes to become the nation’s first sanctuary city for adult recreational marijuana use. The ordinance bars city agencies and employees from turning over information on legal...
CA Federal Judge Blocks Trump A federal judge in CALIFORNIA issues a temporary injunction blocking President Donald Trump’s declaration to end the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Judge William Alsup of the Federal District...
Think our current political climate is toxic? Well, it is. But the stain of incivility is hardly unique to us Yankees. Case in point comes from Japan, where lawmaker Yoichi Anami yelled “enough already!” at Kazuo Hasegawa, a 47-year-old non...
Federal Court Rules on KY Law A federal court rules that a 2018 KENTUCKY law that effectively banned abortions after the 15 th week of pregnancy is unconstitutional. State officials say they would appeal the ruling (LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL). ...
The tragic case of a terminally ill California woman who moved to Oregon so doctors could legally help her end her life made international news. It could also push states to adopt their own version of Oregon’s law. In case you missed it, the...
Upcoming Stories Here are some of the topics you will see covered in upcoming issues of the State Net Capitol Journal: - Common Core - State worker exodus - Legalizing pot
CT Senate Approves HB 7200 The CONNECTICUT Senate approves HB 7200 , which would raise the Constitution State smoking age to 21. The measure moves to Gov. Ned Lamont (D), who has pledged to sign it into law (CONNECTICUT MIRROR [HARTFORD]). CT house...
TX Legislature Gives Approval to HB 2041 The TEXAS Legislature gives final approval to HB 2041 , which would require freestanding emergency rooms to clearly disclose the in-network health plans they accept and the fees patients may be charged. It moves...
California City Council Approves Proposal The San Diego, CALIFORNIA City Council approves a proposal to limit homeshare rentals like Airbnb to the property owner’s primary residence. The new rules go into effect in July, 2019 (SAN DIEGO UNION...
Weeks after a mass shooting at a Santa Fe, Texas public school that left 10 people dead, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) unveiled a school safety proposal that called for, among several things, firearms training for teachers. Abbott’s proposal...
Jerry Brown Signs A Dozen Bills In an effort to bolster the state’s market for zero- and near-zero emissions vehicles, CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs a dozen bills aimed at broadening their use in the Golden State. A sampling of the bills...
TN House Approves HB 2312 The TENNESSEE House approves HB 2312 , which would ban state and local officials from accepting consular IDs to establish identity. The measure, which would also prohibit officials from accepting locally issued forms of identification...
AK Governor Signs HB 240 ALASKA Gov. Bill Walker (I) signs HB 240 , which bars gag rules in contracts between pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacies. Gag rules prohibit pharmacists from telling customers of a cheaper option for medication if they...
CALIFORNIA lawmakers send a bill to Gov. Jerry Brown (D) that bars secret settlements and non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases, one of several bills considered this year in state legislatures in response to the #MeToo movement. The California...
Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals Rules The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that cities cannot make it a crime to sleep on a public street or sidewalk when no homeless shelters are available. The court’s ruling applies to ordinances...