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AZ: Arizona Legislature OKs abortion medication requirement
Arizona lawmakers sent to Republican Gov. Doug Ducey legislation that requires abortion providers to tell women they can reverse the effects of a drug-induced abortion and bars women from buying any health care plan through the federal marketplace that includes abortion coverage. It’s the first time such a reversal requirement has passed in the U.S.
AL: U.S. Supreme Court sides with black lawmakers in Alabama redistricting case
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with black lawmakers and told a lower court to reconsider whether the Alabama Legislature’s 2012 redistricting plan packed minority voters into districts to dilute their influence.
MD: Federal appeals court hears challenge to Maryland’s assault weapons ban
Lawyers for the state of Maryland and gun rights advocates are squaring off in federal appeals court over the constitutionality of Maryland’s 2013 ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The law was passed five months after the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.
CA: California Senate panel passes bill that would allow assisted suicide
The California bill is moving through the legislature at a time when the issue of assisted suicide has sparked public attention following the death of brain cancer patient Brittany Maynard last fall.
OH: Ohio Supreme Court: Names of strike replacement teachers must be made public
Absent any proof they are in danger, the names of replacement teachers must be released to the public once teacher strikes end, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled.
WA: Washington eyes pension changes for new public employees
State lawmakers may increase the age when new public employees can retire with full pension benefits, and cap the amount of income used to calculate future public employees’ pension checks. The proposals are part of a push by some lawmakers to reduce Washington state’s long-term public pension liabilities.
LA: Louisiana doesn’t have money to address road construction backlog
Money from Louisiana’s 20-cent state gas tax is supposed to be set aside in a state transportation trust fund. Yet a significant chunk of the fund’s revenue has gone to pay for public safety functions over the past several years. Next year will be no different if Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal gets his way.
AR: Arkansas House approves recidivism bill
Among the many provisions in the bill, prisoners being released from Arkansas facilities would be required to enroll in Medicaid, if eligible, to receive drug and mental health treatment as they transition into the community.
KY: Legislature passes bill aimed at Kentucky’s heroin epidemic before adjourning
Kentucky lawmakers passed bills to curb the state’s heroin addiction epidemic, extend civil protective orders to dating partners, freeze the gas tax that pays for state roads and expand the use of booster seats to children through the age of 8.
TX: Texas House will tackle school finance this session
With a plan that would add $3 billion to the state’s public education budget, the Texas House has decided to take on school finance reform this legislative session. A massive lawsuit involving more than two-thirds of the state’s school districts awaits a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court.
ND: North Dakota may sue federal government over fracking rules
Worried that oil production could be slowed, the state is contemplating challenging the new federal hydraulic fracturing regulations on federal land in North Dakota.
KS: Federal review of foster care spending could cost Kansas $12 million
A federal review of how Kansas spends foster care dollars could cost the state up to $12 million, causing lawmakers to tack extra spending onto a stressed budget. The potential added cost stems from 1997 when the state privatized its foster care system.
MT: House panel tables Montana governor’s M infrastructure bill
The House Appropriations Committee tabled Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock’s proposed Build Montana program that would have funded infrastructure projects across Montana by using $212 million in bonding and the rest in cash.
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