State Intelligence Digest
From the Membership and Engagement Team at ALEC, this week’s breakdown of top stories and policy action. While not an exhaustive list of current events, we hope this glimpse into developments across the country will be of interest to members of our organization and relevant as we seek to engage with the states.
Legislative sessions are underway in more than 40 states and this edition of the State Intelligence Digest dives into the committees and subcommittees as ideas that have been percolating start to take shape as bills. In light of many governors, on both sides of the aisle, realizing the detriment of keeping children out of the classrooms, we’ve specifically noted much activity on policy regarding school reopenings and any attempts for broadening school choice. It has yet to be seen how far legislatures will actually curb executive authority but some early considerations are being mulled over. Furthermore, agendas and goals are being set by governors as additional State Addresses have been delivered this week.
- Alabama
- Alabama schools ask for COVID-19 enrollment funding.
- Everything to know about state budget hearings.
- Alaska
- Inside Alaska Senate organizing.
- Governor Dunleavy’s pitch for the Permanent Fund dividend that has been a point of contention.
- What Alaskan lobbyists are doing despite not having access to the Capitol.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Claiming science but feeling pressure, Gov. Newsom announced this week the lifting of stay-at-home order that had been in place for 8 weeks, despite high level of Coronavirus cases and record deaths. The data behind the decision has been recently released despite initial indications it would be kept secret.
- While the 10p curfew has been lifted statewide, San Francisco has opted to keep it in place.
- Proposal for state to pay off up to 80% unpaid rent incurred during Coronavirus by citizens and eviction moratorium may be extended through June.
- Newsom unveils new school reopening plan but despite demands on districts to map out compliance by February 1, the legislature still has yet to debate proposal.
- Mail-in voting changes from 2020 election being considered for permanent adoption.
- Colorado
- Colorado’s Canadian drug importation program opens to private-sector bidders.
- Colorado sports betting are popular enough to benefit state water projects.
- Connecticut
- Legislature convened new session this month, opting to do so virtually via Zoom.
- Various employment legislation taking shape in Connecticut.
- Marijuana legalization likely to see a resurgence in debate this session.
- Schools in Connecticut have convened in person to kick off the 2021 year.
- Delaware
- In State of the State address, Carney calls for permanent mail-in voting, more education funding.
- Florida
- Georgia
- Georgia House Committee Assignments.
- Hawaii
- Hawaii has seen an influx of visitors associated with the work from home boom.
- Ige issued his State of the State Address this week, covering a myriad of topics and thinking ahead for a “Hawaii 2.0”, in the meantime asking citizens to, “do more with less”.
- Idaho
- Some lawmakers asking that the state employee retirement funds devest in social media companies that don’t value free speech.
- Little and State Board of Education allowing attendance at up to 40% capacity in stands at Middle and High School sporting events.
- Illinois
- Illinois legislative return to Springfield delayed until at least second week in February.
- Legislature passes police reform, HB3653, which among other things, ends cash bail.
- Mayor Lightfoot has argued in favor of opening schools to in-person learning, threatening salaries and access to computer systems for any noncompliance as teachers would “be considered absent without leave”. Now the CPS prepares for potential strike as K-8 classrooms have been ordered to reopen next Monday against union protestations.
- Indiana
- Proposals to limit executive authority being discussed, HB1123 calling for a 30-day limit to an emergency order.
- Holcomb announced a revision to the crowd-size limitations, increasing venue capacity to 25% for the highest risk counties.
- Iowa
- Reynolds talks school choice and vaccine distribution during interview this week.
- Bill to eliminate university tenure in the state advances out of House Education Subcommittee, with support from ALEC Chair, John Wills. Meanwhile Senate moves education bills to require in-person learning for schools and expansion of charter schools.
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Louisiana state income tax filing begins Friday, Feb. 12.
- Louisiana budget picture uncertain as revenue picture drops, federal aid comes into focus.
- State panel votes to trim policy protections in cases alleging brutality.
- Maine
- Maine Gov. proposes offshore wind moratorium amid tensions with fishing industry.
- Maine hospitals say supplemental budget cuts could cost them millions.
- Opponents of $1B power corridor deliver signatures for referendum.
- Maryland
- Maryland receiving federal COVID-19 rent relief money.
- Maryland legislative committee discusses sports betting bill.
- Massachusetts
- Several restrictions have been relaxed this week, including ending the statewide curfew.
- Baker issued State of the Commonwealth Address this week.
- Tensions are high between state government and teacher’s unions, over vaccine distribution plans as well as calling reopening in the next 100 days “very unlikely”.
- Michigan
- Michigan Senate expresses disapproval of Gov. Whitmer by voting against 13 appointments.
- Whitmer issues State of the State Address this week.
- Frustration mounts that student winter sports are still banned in the state.
- Minnesota
- Lawmakers pitch sports betting bill.
- Mississippi
- Computer science instruction bill introduced in Mississippi state legislature.
- Key House leader says Mississippi should cut highest-in-nation grocery tax.
- Teacher pay raise bill advances in Mississippi Legislature.
- Missouri
- Parson sets agenda as he issued his State of the State Address this week.
- Schools finding themselves with shortage of substitute teachers; state to extend reimbursement of training costs to encourage more applicants. Not all districts have enacted in-person learning.
- This year marks the bicentennial of Missouri Statehood.
- Montana
- Montana Free Press launches bill tracking website for 2021 session.
- Gianforte recalls National Guard from D.C. after calling soldiers treatment and sleeping conditions a “national disgrace”.
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Nevada can garnish half of money families send to inmates.
- CCEA education taxes unlikely to pass in Nevada’s 2021 legislative session
- New Hampshire
- Moving the state’s September Primary date earlier in the calendar and legislative redistricting among the election-centered agenda items that could be addressed this session.
- Creation of education savings accounts is the idea behind HB20 to expand school choice.
- Right-to-Work legislation possible from the 2021 session.
- New Jersey
- State Senator Kip Bateman, who is retiring, talks about what the NJGOP needs to do moving forward.
- New Mexico
- ‘Fracking ban’ reintroduced in New Mexico legislature for third year.
- New Mexico lawmakers and others push for more transparency with the budget.
- New York
- Lifting of some restrictions announced by Gov. Cuomo, with plans for NYC dining promised by end of week. “We’re talking about livelihoods and the economy and billions of dollars”.
- Legalized recreational marijuana likely coming to New York.
- Mayor de Blasio signals schools will be reopened at “full strength” come September, even as some union leaders set goalposts at full staff inoculation.
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- North Dakota Senate passes bill to add university system building fund to state law.
- Bill outlines process of legislative redistricting; Republicans would control process.
- Ohio
- SB22 being considered as a means to curtail the governor’s authority, allowing for the override of any orders, health related or not, by a simple majority in both chambers as well as an automatic 30 expiration tied to any public health state of emergencies.
- ALEC member and Senate President, Matt Huffman, is being touted as the “school voucher guy”, giving K-12 reforms their best chance in years.
- As Junior US Senator, Rob Portman, announced he will leave Congress after his current term ends, speculation swirls as to who might run to replace his seat in 2022.
- Oklahoma
- Oklahoma the latest state to consider consumer data privacy legislation.
- Stephanie Bice lands seat on Armed Services Committee.
- Oregon
- In an ironic consequence a potential carbon tax, being debated by Portland City Council, could force the sole glass recycling plant in the state to close for good.
- As Brown called for the return of in-person learning by February 15, teachers are being prioritized for access to the Coronavirus vaccine, even ahead of some seniors.
- Oregon Legislature kicked off session last week, voting to keep the Capitol closed to the Public. ALEC State Chair, Dennis Linthicum, who has been tapped to serve as Senate Minority Whip, objected to the building’s closure.
- Pennsylvania
- Senate approves proposed constitutional amendment to limit governor’s emergency powers.
- Statute of limitations reform takes another step in legislature.
- Tom Wolf urges Pennsylvania Legislature to allocate $145M in relief for small businesses.
- Rhode Island
- Raimondo’s tenure has been marked by some of the lowest rankings of states in which to do business.
- The state hit a 2-month low in hospitalizations from to Coronavirus but vaccine distribution rates lag other states.
- New York Times covers the mostly successful reopening schools last fall in Rhode Island, much in contrast to its neighboring northeast states.
- South Carolina
- South Carolina House to consider COVID-19 vaccine funding bill to assist with distribution.
- Groups push to keep COVID-19 law that allowed folks to pick up alcoholic beverages.
- South Dakota
- SD House Education committee backs Gov. Noem’s education realignment.
- Noem introduces property rights bills for legislators to consider.
- South Dakota lawmakers start writing rules for new marijuana amendments.
- Tennessee
- State Representative Curtis Johnson named Deputy Speaker.
- State approves summer learning, teacher pay increase.
- Number of unionized Tennessee workers continues to drop in 2020.
- Texas
- State Rep. Kyle Biedermann files “Texas Independence” Bill.
- Abbott says he’s looking to ‘cut red tape’ for Texas businesses.
- Internet expansion plans up for debate in Texas legislature.
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Bill in the General Assembly would make community college free for certain Virginians.
- Virginia educators push for more funding from General Assembly.
- Washington
- Washington State recently listed 5th most restrictive in country regarding its Coronavirus response.
- Data privacy laws back in the discussion for the upcoming legislative session.
- Inslee signals that all schools could reopen, mentioning the lack of virus spread from those that have previously been operating with in-person learning. Meanwhile the Legislature fields more than 60 K-12 proposals.
- West Virginia
- West Virginia treasurer proposes oversight legislation following loan fund audit.
- Wisconsin
- Despite some objections from the medical community, the Wisconsin Senate has voted to overturn Gov. Evers’ statewide mask mandate. ALEC Chair, Senator Steve Nass, emphasized this was a rebuttal to the emergency orders that contradict state law. The House will take up the vote Thursday.
- A U.S. study, specifically looking at Wisconsin rural schools, noted that virus spread was extremely low and other schools could safely reopen with precautions in place.
- Wyoming
- Proposed bill would require majority vote to add new Wyoming taxes.
- Legislature moves to make legalized gaming permanent in Wyoming.