States Step in as Federal Climate Disclosure Rules Stall
by FOCUS, a Leonine Business
Often a trend setter on liberal issues, California led the way on corporate climate disclosure in 2023, enacting two first-of-their-kind laws requiring large businesses to report their greenhouse gas emissions with SB 253/Chapter 382 and SB 261/Chapter 383. Now, with a federal climate disclosure rule stalled in court, several states are moving to replicate and expand on California’s efforts.
Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt wants sole power to appoint Oklahoma Supreme Court justices
The Oklahoman
Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to wield the power to appoint state Supreme Court justices without involvement of the Judicial Nominating Commission as legislators work to reform the way judges are vetted and selected. The governor said he believes the federal government’s model of selecting U.S. Supreme Court justices is the best, adding that he’d prefer to appoint justices to the state’s highest court directly.
Kansas Legislature overrides Republican Gov. Laura Kelly’s vetoes at record rate. What bills passed
The Topeka Capital-Journal
Kansas lawmakers passed 116 new laws this session, the second most in the past two decades. Republican Gov. Laura Kelly signed 95 bills into law and allowed eight to become law without her signature. The Legislature overrode 14 of the governors 18 vetoes, the most overrides during her time as governor. Four vetoes were sustained, none of which reached a two-thirds majority in the House.
Thirty-six states are currently in regular session. The District of Columbia Council and U.S. Congress are also in session.
The following states adjourned their 2025 legislative sessions on the dates provided: Kansas (April 11), West Virginia (April 12) and Arkansas (April 16).
The following states are scheduled to adjourn their 2025 legislative sessions on the dates provided: Tennessee (April 25) and Arizona (April 26).
Maine began a special session on March 25 to finish up work on legislation following its adjournment on March 21. According to Yahoo News, Democrats moved to adjourn the regular session to speed up the timeline for the budget to take effect. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills then called the special session to allow legislators the ability to pass bills that have been carried over from the regular session.
Nevada’s crossover deadline is April 23.
New Mexico Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had until April 11 to act on legislation or it was pocket vetoed. South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden had until April 15 to act on legislation or it became law without signature. Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little had until April 16 to act on legislation or it became law without signature.
West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey has until April 30 at act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has until May 14 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore has until May 27 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has 20 days from presentment, Sundays excluded, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has 10 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has 10 days from presentment, Sundays excluded, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has 14 days from presentment to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has 15 days from presentment, Sunday excluded, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature.
Special Elections
Mississippi held a special election for Senate District 18 on April 15. According to WTVA, the non-partisan election was won by Lane Taylor, who defeated his four other opponents with 58.1 percent of the vote. Taylor ran on eliminating wasteful spending and protecting gun rights in the state.
The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on the dates provided: Connecticut House District 113 (April 22) and Iowa House District 78 and Minnesota Senate District 6 (April 29).
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