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CT: Sandy Hook parents can sue gun maker, top Connecticut court says
The Connecticut Supreme Court narrowly reversed a ruling by a lower court judge dismissing a lawsuit by the families of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting against Remington Arms Company, allowing the case to proceed. The 4-3 decision may create a path that other mass shooting victims can follow to get around the federal law that protects legal manufacturers of the AR-15 assault rifle from lawsuits.
CA: California is drought-free for the first time in nearly a decade
For the first time since 2011, California shows no areas suffering from prolonged drought.
NC: North Carolina delays voter ID requirement until 2020
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, signed legislation that delays the state’s new photo voter identification requirement until the 2020 elections to allow more time for make rules for student and employee IDs.
NH: Teen suicide prevention bill clears New Hampshire Senate
The New Hampshire Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require every teacher, supervisor and administrator in the public schools to receive at least two hours of training in suicide awareness and prevention annually.
ME: Maine governor reintroduces bill that would expand access to abortion
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills introduced a bill that would expand access to abortion services for women in Maine by allowing physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurse midwives to perform the procedures.
IL: Lawmakers send Illinois governor bill to raise smoking age
The Illinois Senate has approved a bill that would raise the legal age for buying tobacco and vaping products to 21 statewide. The House approved the measure earlier this week. Former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a previous version of the measure.
MO: Teaching kids ‘appropriate online behavior’ stirs state mandate debate in Missouri House
A group of lawmakers worried about intrusion into public schools by the state sounded off in the Missouri House about a proposal to require schools to teach fourth-graders about “appropriate online behavior.” The proposal requires creating an initiative to “increase awareness of appropriate online behavior and skills among students in public schools.”
ID: Idaho House votes to lower age to carry a concealed handgun in cities without a permit
Following a spirited debate on the decision-making skills of young adults and their ability to follow the law, the Idaho House voted to lower the legal age to 18 to carry a concealed handgun in cities without a permit.
WI: Wisconsin Supreme Court affirms ‘agricultural’ backyard tax break
In a case closely watched by local governments, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld a huge tax break for a homeowner who planted trees in his backyard. The court affirmed a Court of Appeals ruling that simply planting trees or hay was enough to qualify for an agricultural classification, whether or not there was any business or commercial purpose to the operation.
MN: Minnesota House votes to expand state’s indoor vaping ban
Vaping would be banned from bars, restaurants and workplaces across Minnesota under a bill that passed the state House. It is aimed in part at reversing the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among young people.
VA: Virginia governor signs bill on pilot program meant to curb evictions
Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has signed legislation to create a pilot program that aims to curb evictions and allow for the collection of data on how to stem them among low-income Virginians. The program will examine eviction diversion efforts in Richmond, Petersburg, Danville and Hampton to gauge the effectiveness of different approaches.
LA: Louisiana abortions hit 10-year low
Abortions in Louisiana hit a 10-year low in 2018, as state lawmakers passed some of the nation’s strictest abortion regulations. The state Department of Health released unofficial figures that show there were 8,084 abortions in Louisiana last year – down from 10,211 in 2014. There were 6,816 abortions in Louisiana in 2008.
NM: New Mexico legislators back same-day voter registration
Under current New Mexico state law, voter registration closes 28 days before Election Day. Seventeen other states and the District of Columbia offer same-day registration.
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