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TX Taking Tougher Stance on Social Media for Kids The Texas House passed a bill ( HB 186 ) that would ban social media accounts for anyone under the age of 18. The measure would also allow parents to...
IA Enacts Law Addressing Shortage of Birth Centers Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill ( HF 887 ) exempting freestanding birth centers from having to obtain a certificate of need from the state’s...
On April 21 Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed into law a bill giving parents the right to sue social media companies for harms caused by their content. The measure, SB 612 , establishes...
‘Unauthorized Alien’ Limits Among Trio of Auto Insurance Proposals Under Consideration in LA House Three auto insurance bills cleared the Louisiana House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure...
Social Media Bill Dodges Veto Override in CO Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ (D) veto of a social media bill ( SB 86 ) survived an override attempt. The state’s Democrat-controlled Senate voted...
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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