State lawmakers

California lawmakers have passed new legislation making incremental adjustments to the state's mental health court system, while rejecting larger proposed reforms. The changes refine how the courts, which divert people with serious mental illness from jail into treatment, operate, but fall short of the overhauls some advocates and officials had pushed for this session.

State lawmaker Toney is calling for legislative action on automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology after Flock cameras were dropped in northeastern Wisconsin. The withdrawal of the cameras has raised questions about how the surveillance technology is regulated and used, and Toney wants the state to set clearer rules governing its deployment by local agencies.

Republican lawmakers in Arizona questioned the state land department over its handling of solar leases on public land, pressing officials on terms and arguing for alternative uses such as grazing, mining and development. Critics say solar projects are taking up large tracts at the expense of other industries, while supporters view solar leasing as a growing revenue source for the state trust.

The US Congress is reviewing the results of the recent summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with lawmakers questioning whether the meeting genuinely advanced US interests or merely preserved the current state of US-China relations. Discussion in Washington centres on what concrete outcomes were achieved on trade, security and diplomatic tensions between the two powers.

The Texas Education Agency has requested roughly $97 billion in funding for the 2028-29 biennium to support K-12 education initiatives across the state. The request will now go to state lawmakers, who will decide final appropriations during the legislative budget process. Details on which specific programs would receive priority have not yet been fully laid out.

A Washington state lawmaker is resigning just three days before the election, according to Washington State Standard. The timing, so close to voting day, is drawing attention, though details about the lawmaker's identity and the reason for stepping down were not included in the initial report. Resignations this close to an election can affect ballot outcomes, party control, and who fills the seat next, prompting discussion among voters and political observers in the state.

Congress is moving to address the growing impacts of data centers, which are expanding rapidly across the United States. Lawmakers are examining concerns over their heavy energy and water use, strain on local grids, and effects on surrounding communities as demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence continues to rise.

Republican lawmakers in Arizona are raising questions about how state trust land is being leased for solar energy developments. The scrutiny centers on whether the lease terms and rates for renewable energy projects on public land serve the state's interests. The debate touches on broader tensions between promoting clean energy and protecting revenue from state lands, which help fund public institutions including schools.

Republican lawmakers in Arizona are pushing to change how state trust land is used, favouring housing development over large-scale solar projects. The proposal signals a shift in priorities at the legislature, where Republicans argue land should go to homes as the state grapples with housing costs. Critics are likely to see it as a setback for renewable energy expansion on public land.

California has enacted a new law tightening regulations on explosive chemicals, a measure passed in response to an incident in Garden Grove that raised safety concerns. The legislation imposes stricter controls on the sale and storage of such substances. Details of the Garden Grove incident and the law's specific provisions remain limited in available reporting.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing for greater transparency from the state's wildlife agency, citing two videos of agency meetings. They argue the recordings raise questions about how the agency conducts its business and want the footage released to the public. The issue has drawn coverage from regional outlets in Beaver County and Erie, though details of the lawmakers' specific demands and the agency's response remain limited.

Republican lawmakers in Arizona are pushing to shift how the state manages its trust lands, favoring residential development over large-scale solar projects. The proposal would make it easier to open state-owned parcels to homebuilding while limiting renewable energy leases. Supporters frame it as addressing the state's housing shortage; critics argue it works against Arizona's growing solar industry.

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania have introduced a Progressive Taxation bill, pitched as a way to build an economy that 'works for everyone.' The proposal would restructure the state's tax system so that higher earners contribute a larger share. Details on rates, revenue projections and the bill's prospects in the legislature remain limited, and debate over its fairness and economic impact is expected.

A US Senator from Washington state is spearheading the first federal effort to regulate college sports, according to regional reporting. The move would bring national oversight to a field long governed by the NCAA and state-level laws, touching issues like athlete compensation and NIL rights. Details of the proposal remain limited, but the involvement of federal lawmakers marks a notable shift in the college athletics debate.

Maryland lawmakers are weighing new taxes on electric vehicles to help fund the state's bridges, roads and highways. The proposal reflects a broader funding challenge: as more drivers switch to EVs, states collect less in traditional gasoline taxes that finance transportation projects.

State health officials in Pennsylvania have paused a proposal outlining a disease-control strategy, according to City & State Pennsylvania. The report gives no details on why the plan was shelved or when it might move forward. Little additional information is available, and reaction from lawmakers or public health experts has not yet emerged.

Senators from Kansas and Missouri have come out in support of the Protect College Sports Act, federal legislation concerning college athletics. The measure would set national rules for college sports, an area currently shaped by a patchwork of state laws on issues such as athlete compensation and eligibility. Lawmakers in both states frame their backing as protecting student-athletes and the stability of college programs. Details of the bill's provisions and its chances of advancing in Congress remain to be seen.

The US Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act by a vote of 77-22, legislation aimed at setting national rules for name, image and likeness payments to college athletes. The strong bipartisan margin signals broad agreement in Congress on the need to rein in the current patchwork of state NIL laws, though the bill still needs House approval before becoming law.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that a high court ruling has brought an end to the prolonged legal battle over the state's voter maps. The decision settles the dispute over district boundaries in Arkansas, closing out a case that had drawn sustained attention from lawmakers, voting-rights groups and residents concerned about how electoral districts are drawn.

Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares, together with fellow lawmakers, is urging Congress to support a federal film tax credit aimed at bolstering the American film and television production industry. The appeal comes as US production work faces competition from other countries and states offering generous incentives, prompting renewed debate in Washington over federal support for domestic film jobs.

US lawmakers are struggling to craft policies that keep pace with the rapid spread of artificial intelligence. As AI tools reshape jobs, privacy, copyright and national security, Congress faces pressure to regulate a technology that is evolving faster than legislation can be written, leaving gaps that states, agencies and companies are trying to fill in the meantime.

Idaho senators, joined by college leaders in the state, are backing a sports reform bill that they say would bring 'clarity and consistency' to the rules governing college athletics. The measure has drawn support from both lawmakers and university administrators, who argue a unified framework is needed.

California has enacted a new law prohibiting law enforcement officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks. The measure bans the devices, sometimes described as stun gloves, from being used by officers in the state. Supporters frame it as a step to limit painful force tactics by police, while the practical effect on how officers respond during arrests remains to be seen.

Lawmakers are using findings from maternal mortality review committees to push changes in Medicaid coverage and health equity policy. The reviews, which examine the causes of pregnancy-related deaths, are informing legislation aimed at extending postpartum care, improving data collection, and addressing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes across states.

A new opinion piece in The Center Square argues that Louisiana should avoid heavy-handed regulation of artificial intelligence, warning that strict rules could drive AI investment and jobs to other states. The author frames the issue as an economic competitiveness question for the state, urging lawmakers to weigh the cost of regulation against the opportunity to attract a growing technology sector.