Alaska governor vetoes expanded birth control access as a judge strikes down abortion limits
The Washington Post
In competing developments about reproductive rights in the nation’s largest state, Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a bill to expand birth control access while a judge struck down decades-old restrictions on who could perform abortions. Dunleavy spokesperson Jeff Turner said he vetoed it because “contraceptives are widely available, and compelling insurance companies to provide mandatory coverage for a year is bad policy.”
California State Legislature passes Wiener’s controversial AI safety bill
San Francisco Examiner
The California Senate on Thursday passed Sen. Scott Wiener’s, D-Broadmoor, controversial artificial-intelligence safety bill — one day after the Assembly gave the measure its stamp of approval — putting the bill one step closer to becoming law. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1047 on a 29-9 vote, sending the legislation to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Utah Supreme Court hears arguments from teens that fossil fuel policies violate their rights
Utah News Dispatch
Seven teens who say Utah’s policies promoting fossil fuels are impacting their constitutional rights took their argument to the state supreme court on Wednesday. It’s the latest in several youth-led climate change lawsuits around the country, represented by the nonprofit law firm Our Children’s Trust. Utah’s suit argues the state’s energy policy promotes and maximizes fossil fuel development, which officials then carry out on a “system-wide basis.”
California and Michigan are in regular session.
The following states are in recess until the dates provided: New Jersey (September 12), the Pennsylvania Senate (September 16) and House (September 23) and Ohio (November 13). The U.S. Congress is in recess until September 9 and the District of Columbia Council is in recess until September 16.
North Carolina passed an adjournment resolution that calls for the regular session to reconvene periodically through December. The legislature adjourned a session on August 1 and is scheduled to hold another session on September 9.
Colorado began a special session on August 26 to address property taxes. According to KDVR, two property tax initiatives are currently on the ballot for November and lawmakers have been negotiating property tax measures in the hopes of removing the potentially risky ballot initiatives. With the deadline to remove the initiatives in early September, lawmakers will vote on property tax bills during the special session, with potential measures reducing the state’s property tax rate or capping annual property tax revenue growth at four percent.
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has 20 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Delaware Democratic Gov. John Carney has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Illinois Democratic Gov J.B. Pritzker has 60 days from presentment 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 Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has five days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Rhode Island Democratic Gov. Daniel McKee has six days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee 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, 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, Florida, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma House and Senate and Utah.
Special Elections
Pennsylvania House Districts 195 and 201 are scheduled to be filled by special election on September 17.
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