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AZ: Arizona governor says he will veto bills that would erode vaccine coverage
Republican Gov. Doug Ducey says he is “pro-vaccination” and will not sign any bills that could erode vaccine coverage in Arizona. Disregarding warnings from health officials, the state House Health and Human Services Committee last week endorsed three bills that could lead to lower immunization coverage among Arizona’s schoolchildren.
CO: Colorado lawmakers prepare overhaul of oil and gas drilling rules
Colorado’s Democrat-controlled legislature is going to propose broad legislation that would overhaul how drilling is regulated in the state and will give local governments control over development. The comprehensive bill would put public health and safety front and center.
GA: Georgia governor backs bill to ban abortion
Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced his support for a “trigger law” that seeks to ban almost all abortions in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision is overturned. His endorsement will stoke fierce opposition from Democrats and abortion rights advocates.
NY: New York finally cracks down on ‘revenge porn’
After five years of negotiations, New York lawmakers finally reached a consensus on legislation to curb “revenge porn.” The proposal will make it a crime to share sexually explicit photos or videos on the internet with the intent to cause harm to another person, while also giving victims the ability to pursue a civil lawsuit and legal authority to have the content removed.
CA: California’s housing supply law fails to spur construction
California’s housing supply law has failed in its goal of spurring enough new home building to meet demand, especially for low-income residents, according to a think tank report. The law, which requires cities and counties to plan for development, is the state’s primary policy for encouraging growth.
KY: Kentucky teachers call sickout to protest pension bill
Thousands of teachers called in sick across Kentucky, shutting down at least eight school districts, in protest of a bill that would affect the management of the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System. The bill sparking the protest passed out of a legislative committee.
TX: Texas Senate panel advances ban on city sick leave ordinances
The measure would prevent individual Texas cities and counties from adopting local ordinances related to employment leave, paid days off for holidays and, most notably, sick days. The bill would nullify mandates some local city councils in major Texas cities have tried to put in place.
MS: Mississippi lawmakers agree: If it’s not meat, don’t call it meat
In an overwhelming show of bipartisan support, the Mississippi House passed a Senate bill that would prohibit the labeling of animal cultures, plant-based products, such as the Impossible Burger, and insects as meat. The bill now goes to the governor for his signature.
UT: Utah lawmakers consider banning popular e-cigarette flavors
The Utah House approved a bill that would put popular flavors of electronic cigarette cartridges further out of the reach of teens. Dissenters voiced objection to the bill because of a potentially reduced tax revenue from the flavored products, which are also popular among adults.
IA: State law can block Iowans from seeing body-camera video after police shootings
The state information board has pushed for legislation to align Iowa’s public records law with dozens of other state and federal laws spelling out when law enforcement video should be released. But so far lawmakers have not advanced the proposals beyond initial subcommittee meetings.
NJ: New Jersey lawmakers want to ban video chatting while driving
New Jersey drivers could be ticketed for FaceTiming or watching video-streaming devices behind the wheel if a new bill gains approval. Democratic Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti is seeking to tighten the state law that allows motorists to use hands-free cellphones and electronic communications devices.
ID: House votes down bill to end child marriage in Idaho
The proposal would have set the minimum age to marry at 16 in Idaho and required consent of the child, parents and court for 16- or 17-year-olds to marry. Under current state law, 16- and 17-year-olds need parental consent to marry and a child under age 16 can marry if a judge consents also.
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