Free subscription to the Capitol Journal keeps you current on legislative and regulatory news.
Wave of AI Bills to Continue Next Year As of early September, more than 30 states had passed artificial intelligence-related bills or resolutions this year, according to the National Conference of State...
MI Addresses Multiple Healthcare Issues Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed over half a dozen bills dealing with healthcare and family support. The measures include SB 790 and SB 791 , allowing home help...
In recent years, the boardroom has become a new front in the culture wars alongside a cacophony of three-letter acronyms. DEI, ESG and CSR. These buzzwords—short for diversity, equity and inclusion;...
Statehouse Shift Ahead for Earned Wage Access? In recent years earned wage access apps, which allow workers to obtain access to their earnings before they receive their paychecks, have exploded in popularity...
SD to Consider App- and Device-Based Age Verification Legislation in 2025 The South Dakota Legislature’s Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Regulation of Internet Access by Minors 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
Please visit our webpage to connect with a State Net representative and learn how the State Net legislative and regulatory tracking solution can help you identify, track, analyze and report on relevant legislative and regulatory developments.