Governors Spotlight: Film Safety Protocols, Gubernatorial Emergency Powers, Transgender Restrictions & More

NM Gov Demands New Film Safety Protocols: In the wake of a tragic accidental shooting on the set of a movie being filmed near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said Hollywood needs to adopt strict new safety protocols to protect workers on set or the state will move to enact their own.

“My full expectation is that the film and television industry will, at the conclusion of the investigation into this tragic incident and once all the facts are in hand, bring forward comprehensive new safety protocols to ensure this kind of incident never, ever happens again,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement given to the Los Angeles Times. “If that sort of comprehensive new approach does not materialize, the state of New Mexico will take immediate action, throughout whatever means are available to us, to ensure the safety of all personnel on all film and television sets here in our state.”

The incident occurred on the set of the movie “Rust” when a gun being handled by star Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a live round, killing one person and injuring another. Several crew members had left the production just the day before over concerns that safety protocols were not being properly followed.

Investigators acknowledged there was “some complacency” in how the firearms were handled on the set.

In an interview, New Mexico Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D) told the Times he hoped the film industry and the state film union would voluntarily develop new protocols, but he is open to legislation should that not happen. (LOS ANGELES TIMES, ASSOCIATED PRESS, ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)

At Least 10 States Limit Gubernatorial Emergency Power: A newly released study by Temple University’s Center for Public Health Law Research shows that at least 10 states this year - Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee and Utah – have acted to limit the power governors have to issue orders in response to a public health crisis. The bills in states the study cited - Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee and Utah - include limiting the duration of such orders and allowing lawmakers to end them or restrict them in scope. (ROUTE FIFTY, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY)

TX Gov Signs Transgender Restrictions: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed HB 25, a bill that requires student athletes who compete in interscholastic competition to play on sports teams that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate at or near their time of birth. The Lone Star State becomes the ninth to ban or greatly restrict transgender scholastic athletes from participating on sports teams that align with their chosen gender. A state-by-state policy rundown on this issue can be found here. (TEXAS TRIBUNE, NEW YORK TIMES, ESPN)

NJ Gov Pitches $100 Million for Urban Parks: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) proposed dedicating $100 million in state funds to creating urban parks, playgrounds and open spaces. Lawmakers must ultimately approve the plan. (WHYY [PHILADELPHIA])

NY Gov Signs Anti-Domestic Violence Package: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed two bills aimed at combatting domestic violence into law: AB 4496, which requires the release of individuals from utility corporation services in instances of domestic violence, thus allowing victims of domestic violence to stop paying for services at a location they have fled, and SB 1555, which makes it easier for a victim of domestic violence to apply to have their voter registration records sealed from public view. (NEW YORK GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

SC Gov Pitches $500 Billion in Rural Infrastructure: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) proposed dedicating $500 million in federal pandemic relief funds into modernizing rural water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The investment, which would be managed by the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority, must be approved by lawmakers. (SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

--Compiled by RICH EHISEN