Unions score a major win in Wisconsin with a court ruling restoring collective bargaining rights
The Associated Press
Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions scored a major legal victory Monday with a ruling that restores collective bargaining rights they lost under a 2011 state law that sparked weeks of protests and made the state the center of the national battle over union rights.
Kansas Republicans retain supermajority control in the state Legislature
KSNT Topeka
Kansas election officials have finalized the results of the recent General Election, confirming the results of two contentious races in the state Legislature. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab released the final results of the 2024 General Election on December 3, which includes the final tallies for the tight Senate District 5 and House District 49 races.
5,000 bills is too many. California Legislature sets new max on legislation
Cal Matters
California’s legislative leaders will reduce the number of bills that members of the state Assembly and Senate could introduce during each two-year session, from 50 to 35 in the Assembly and from 40 to 35 in the Senate, according to rules adopted by each chamber at the kickoff of the new session.
Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina and Ohio are in regular session. The District of Columbia Council and U.S. Congress are also in session.
Maine convened its 2025 legislative session on December 4.
California is in recess until January 3.
North Carolina passed an adjournment resolution that calls for the regular session to reconvene periodically through December. The legislature convened on December 2 and is scheduled to adjourn on December 13, on which the legislature will stand adjourned.
California began a special session on December 2 intended to prepare the state for the upcoming Trump administration, though the session is in recess. According to The Hill, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking $25 million for a litigation fund to prevent “unconstitutional or unlawful federal government actions.” This fund would prepare the state to use legal challenges against policies from the Trump administration that the state’s government found to violate the rights of its citizens.
Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek has called for a special session to begin on December 12 to address the costs of fire season. According to the Oregon Capital Chronicle, the special session will focus on appropriating funds to cover the remaining costs of outstanding bills from the fire season. The fire season cost the state nearly $350 million and legislators need to find ways to pay off the bills so they do not damage relationships with private contractors who stepped up to aid the state.
Louisiana concluded its special session on November 22 after passing tax cut legislation. According to WAFB, the state legislature approved several tax bills, including reducing personal and corporate income taxes and doubling the standard tax deductions for seniors. The legislature also passed legislation to get rid of the corporate franchise tax. The bills will now head to the desk of Republican Gov. Jeff Landry for action.
Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has until December 14 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey has 10 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature.
Interim Committees/Prefiles
The following states are currently holding interim committee hearings: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California House and Senate, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois House and Senate, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi House and Senate, Missouri House and Senate, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire House and Senate, New Mexico, New York Assembly, North Dakota, Oklahoma House and Senate, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas House, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The following states are currently posting bill drafts, prefiles and interim studies: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Missouri House and Senate, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
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