Hot Issues This Week: Minimum Wage, Single-Use Plastic Bags, Recreational Marijuana & More

Business

The DELAWARE Senate approves HB 88, which would do away with a law that allows employers to temporarily pay 50 cents an hour less than the minimum wage to teens and those being trained. It moves to Gov. John Carney (D), who is expected to sign it into law.

TEXAS Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signs HB 4474, which establishes a legal framework for cryptocurrency investments in the Lone Star State. The measure ensures that the state’s main business regulations also apply to cryptocurrencies.

VERMONT Gov. Phil Scott (R) signs HB 360, which funnels $150 million of the $1 billion in federal relief aid the state is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act toward the goal of improving broadband access in underserved rural areas.

NEVADA Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) signs SB 386, a so-called “right to return” bill that gives hospitality and travel industry workers the right to reclaim their previous jobs. The law applies to workers laid off after March 12, 2020, for economic reasons due to the pandemic the ability to return to their jobs starting July 1, 2021, through August 21, 2022.

MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signs SB 157, SB 312, HB 4376 and HB 4377, which collectively ensure the state will waive fees for veterans, active-duty service members, and their dependents with valid out-of-state professional licenses when they seek to obtain those licenses in the Wolverine State.

Education:

IOWA Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signs HF 802, legislation intended to ban the teaching of critical race theory, an academic theory that seeks to examine the ongoing impact of systemic racism on society. Her signing comes days before the FLORIDA state board of education unanimously votes to ban teaching ideas related to critical race theory from being taught in Sunshine State public schools.

Environment

The COLORADO House and Senate approve HB 1162, which would gradually ban single-use plastic bags and polystyrene containers by 2024. It moves to Gov. Jared Polis (D), who is expected to sign it into law.

HAWAII Gov. David Ige (D) signs HB 1020, which authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to implement effective and adaptive management measures in response to rapidly changing conditions, such as size and bag limits, closed seasons and gear restrictions when needed in extraordinary situations.

The NEW YORK Senate and Assembly each endorse SB 7196, which would make it easier for consumers to file civil suits against gun manufacturers and dealers. It moves to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) for consideration. 

Social Policy

The CONNECTICUT Senate approves SB 1118, which would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana. It is now in the House, which has indicated it will wait for a special session later this month to consider the measure.

The LOUISIANA Senate approves HB 578, which would require Pelican State doctors to tell women taking the abortion pill that the drug-induced effort to terminate a pregnancy could be stopped midway through the process, a scientifically questionable claim. It moves to Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) for consideration.

Local Government

The PHILADELPHIA City Council unanimously approves an ordinance (210081) creating a new type of licensing system and other regulations designed to treat short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO more like traditional businesses. The measure moves to Mayor Jim Kenney for consideration. (PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE, WHYY [PHILADELPHIA])

-- By RICH EHISEN