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States Target School Cell Phone Use At least four states have banned or severely restricted the use of smart phones in schools in the current legislative biennium. Florida became the first state to do...
Compounded Weight-Loss Drugs Creating Headaches for State Regulators With popular weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy in short supply, many doctors, pharmacies and other providers have...
In their seminal book on the American health care system, legendary investigative reporters Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele offered a disturbing metaphor for the illogical nature of medical pricing...
PA Lawmakers Pass Bill Regulating PBMs The Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill ( HB 1993 ) aimed at increasing oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. If signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), the measure...
In a sign of the times, states have begun pursuing bills that require disclosure of the use of artificial intelligence. In March, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed SB 149 , making the state the first...
Concern about the impact of social media on children and their online privacy prompted a flurry of legislation in the states this year. In Republican-controlled ones like Arkansas, lawmakers generally sought to require age verification and parental permission for minors to access social media. Meanwhile, lawmakers in several Democrat-controlled states tried to import California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA). Those efforts were squelched by media and tech industry opposition in Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada and New Mexico. However, parts of the CAADCA, such as prohibitions against addictive features, were enacted in Connecticut, Florida and Utah.
Both the Arkansas and California laws are facing legal challenges brought by the tech industry trade association NetChoice. The outcome of those lawsuits could determine whether the children’s online privacy trend continues. (PLURIBUS NEWS)
In April Arkansas lawmakers passed legislation aimed at attracting more cryptocurrency mining to the state to generate more revenue. A key measure was HB 1799, barring local governments from enacting ordinances controlling crypto mines, which it refers to as “data centers.” Now state Sen. Bryan King (R) is pushing for a special session to reconsider the new laws due to noise and energy concerns about the mining facilities. Even if Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) calls a special session, however, a two-thirds majority in both houses would be required to repeal the laws. (KUAF [FAYETTEVILLE], STATE NET)
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) vetoed a bill (SB 76) that would have lifted a statewide ban on the construction of nuclear power plants. Pritzker said the bill lacked safety protections for workers and residents, although he said small modular rectors held promise for the future. (PLURIBUS NEWS)
—Compiled by SNCJ Managing Editor KOREY CLARK
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