FL: Proposed Florida abortion ban would require rape victims to show proof to get exception
Floridians who are raped would need to show evidence of that crime if they want an exception under the legislature’s proposed six-week abortion ban, a requirement that advocates say would traumatize victims of sexual violence even more.
AR: Arkansas Senate advances bill that aims to end affirmative action in state, local governments
The Arkansas bill would prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. The measure, which now heads to the majority-GOP House for a vote, would also apply to public schools and higher education.
TX: Texas lawmakers offer stark choice on youth prisons
Plagued by decades of scandals over sexual and physical abuse of children, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department is at a crossroads. Some lawmakers want to shut down the youth prison system while others would expand it.
OH: Ex-Ohio House speaker, former Ohio GOP leader found guilty
A federal jury found both former Ohio GOP House Speaker Larry Householder and ex-Ohio Republican Party Chair Matt Borges guilty of racketeering conspiracy – a dramatic outcome in the biggest public corruption case in state history.
ME: Maine motorists appeal to keep naughty vanity plates
A Maine vegan whose custom license plate contains the word “tofu” is one of the motorists caught in a state crackdown on vulgar tags. The state this year recalled 274 plates it deemed inappropriate.
DE: Delaware House votes to create recreational marijuana industry
Delaware House lawmakers in a historic vote passed a bill that would create and regulate a recreational marijuana industry in the state, a policy Democrats have sought to enact for a decade. This is the first time Delaware lawmakers have been able to garner the necessary three-fifths vote to pass a version of this legislation.
AZ: Governor logs another veto with rejection of Arizona bill to ban ‘critical race theory’
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs offered Arizona GOP lawmakers another reality check of divided government in vetoing an anti-“critical race theory” bill. The bill would have written seven provisions into state law dictating what, and how, K-12 students learn about race and ethnicity.
TN: Tennessee governor signs bill to slash Nashville council in half
Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill that will require city and metropolitan governments to cap their councils at 20 members. Nashville is the only local government that would be affected by the legislation, and the measure is widely viewed as retaliation against the 40-member Metro Council for its refusal to bid on hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention.
NE: Nebraskans skeptical of 2-chamber legislature plan
A proposal to end Nebraska’s one-house legislative system drew opponents disputing claims it could benefit representation. Nebraska has the nation’s only unicameral state legislature.
NC: North Carolina lawmakers pass riot law again
North Carolina’s Republican-dominated legislature approved more severe punishments for rioters for the second time. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a similar bill in 2021.
UT: Utah lawmakers approved a new state flag, but now opponents want voters to repeal it
Lawmakers approved redesigning Utah’s state flag, but opponents are mobilizing to put the issue to Utah voters, hoping they’ll repeal the new banner.
WV: West Virginia revives underage marriage ban bill
The West Virginia Senate bill would remove the ability of an underage person to obtain consent to marry through their parents, legal guardians or by petition to circuit court. It overwhelmingly passed the full House of Delegates last week.
NM: New Mexico prisons lost track of juveniles locked up for life
New legislation would require the New Mexico Corrections Department to help schedule parole hearings for prisoners given life sentences as children. But the agency wasn’t aware of at least 21 “juvenile lifers” in its custody.
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