A Proven Partner for State and Local Government Relations https://www.multistate.us/insider https://www.multistate.us/packs/media/images/logos/app-logo-white-navy-bg-800px-56862183863ba67d54963f4bab5bdc71.png A Proven Partner for State and Local Government Relations https://www.multistate.us/insider Amber Thyson The FDA recently narrowed COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to adults 65 and older plus younger people with qualifying health conditions, while the CDC's vaccine advisory committee was disbanded, creating a federal leadership vacuum. This shift away from universal adult eligibility has left states to navigate vaccine policy independently during a critical public health period. State pharmacy laws now create a complex patchwork where Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico prohibit vaccinations outside FDA guidelines even with prescriptions, while about 16 other states allow broader access with doctor approval. Pennsylvania's pharmacy board and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have pushed back with policies allowing pharmacists greater vaccination authority than federal rules permit. California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii formed the West Coast Health Alliance to develop independent, science-based immunization guidance separate from federal oversight. This coalition represents a coordinated effort by these states to maintain broader vaccine access and public trust despite narrowed federal recommendations. Florida is moving in the opposite direction by planning to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including childhood school requirements for diseases like chickenpox and hepatitis B. Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Governor Ron DeSantis are pursuing legislation to remove statutory mandates, with critics warning this could trigger outbreaks of preventable diseases. Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:33:09 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/11/states-diverge-on-vaccine-policy-as-federal-guidance-narrows https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/11/states-diverge-on-vaccine-policy-as-federal-guidance-narrows Sandy Dornsife Redistricting has become a central political battleground ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with both Democratic and Republican-led states like Texas, California, Illinois, Florida, and others taking or considering action to reshape congressional maps and influence control of the U.S. House and Senate. California’s legislature recently passed a package to create five new Democratic-leaning districts and called a special election for voter approval, bypassing the state’s independent redistricting commission and sparking multiple legal challenges over procedural and constitutional issues. Texas enacted a new map aimed at adding up to five Republican House seats, which has been challenged in court for alleged unconstitutional racial gerrymandering and violations of the Voting Rights Act, with plaintiffs seeking to block the map before the state’s early 2026 primaries. The coming months will see a surge of court cases across several states, with outcomes likely to set significant legal precedents on state and voter election rights, as variations in state laws and redistricting processes play a critical role in shaping future partisan strategies. Thu, 11 Sep 2025 01:04:10 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/11/texas-and-california-face-legal-challenges-over-2026-redistricting https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/11/texas-and-california-face-legal-challenges-over-2026-redistricting Lauren Calhoun Lobbyist political contribution regulations vary significantly by state with 11 states requiring contribution reporting in periodic disclosures, while others impose blackout periods during legislative sessions and strict contribution limits or complete prohibitions. Special sector regulations create additional compliance burdens, particularly for lottery and gaming lobbyists who face stricter contribution limits, registration requirements, and prohibitions due to concerns about undue influence on government-run gambling enterprises. Location-based restrictions in states like Illinois and California prohibit making or receiving campaign contributions on state property or within government buildings, designed to prevent pay-to-play politics near government facilities. Pennsylvania's unique approach treats lobbyists making contributions over $250 as political committees, requiring separate registration and campaign finance reporting obligations in addition to standard lobbying disclosure requirements. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:11:08 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/8/a-campaign-finance-guide-for-lobbyists-what-to-know-about-making-political-contributions-part-2 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/8/a-campaign-finance-guide-for-lobbyists-what-to-know-about-making-political-contributions-part-2 Mary Kate Barnauskas Facility fee reform gained momentum in 2025 with 11 states considering legislation focused on reporting requirements, fee prohibitions, and consumer notice obligations as hospital ownership of outpatient settings continues expanding. Three states enacted facility fee legislation with varying approaches, from Indiana's office setting billing reforms to Illinois's patient notification requirements and Minnesota's hospital reporting mandates for outpatient services. Model legislation development by groups such as NASHP, NCOIL, and ALEC signals growing stakeholder interest in site neutrality and facility fee transparency, with multiple organizations finalizing template policies in 2025. Legislative trends focus on three key areas: requiring health systems to report facility fee data to state agencies, prohibiting certain fees in non-hospital settings, and establishing consumer notice requirements before billing. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:40:23 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/8/hospital-facility-fee-legislation-gains-momentum-across-11-states https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/8/hospital-facility-fee-legislation-gains-momentum-across-11-states Brock Ingmire The OBBBA represents the most sweeping change to Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act, cutting an estimated $1.02 trillion in federal Medicaid spending to states over ten years while reducing state revenue by 3-21 percent per state. New requirements include mandatory 80-hour monthly work requirements for expansion enrollees, frozen provider tax rates that gradually lower from 6% to 3.5% of net revenue, and caps on state directed payments at Medicare levels. Administrative burdens will be substantial, requiring significant state investments in staffing, IT systems, and oversight capacity to comply with enforcement provisions including six-month eligibility redeterminations instead of annual reviews. The impact timeline provides some relief, with only 6% of the $792 billion in cuts hitting state budgets between 2025-2027, while the most drastic revenue reductions don't take effect until 2028, particularly affecting Medicaid expansion states. Thu, 04 Sep 2025 22:20:04 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/4/state-medical-debt-laws-expand-despite-federal-court-setback https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/4/state-medical-debt-laws-expand-despite-federal-court-setback Mary Kate Barnauskas Three years after Dobbs, reproductive health policy continues evolving rapidly through state legislative responses, ballot measures, and interstate legal battles, demonstrating the ongoing national debate over abortion access and restrictions. Ballot measures remain a powerful policy driver even in off-election years, with Missouri successfully advancing a measure to overturn voter-enacted protections while Montana failed to achieve the two-thirds vote needed for fetal personhood legislation. Interstate conflicts over abortion medications are intensifying as Republican attorneys general pursue cases against out-of-state providers while blue states enact shield laws allowing healthcare facilities rather than individual clinicians to appear on prescription labels. Emergency abortion policies are diverging along partisan lines, with red states clarifying medical emergency exceptions under existing bans while blue states codify federal EMTALA protections into state law following Trump administration guidance changes. Wed, 03 Sep 2025 21:47:52 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/3/how-states-continue-shaping-reproductive-health-policy-three-years-post-dobbs https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/3/how-states-continue-shaping-reproductive-health-policy-three-years-post-dobbs Brock Ingmire The OBBBA represents the most sweeping change to Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act, cutting an estimated $1.02 trillion in federal Medicaid spending to states over ten years while reducing state revenue by 3-21 percent per state. New requirements include mandatory 80-hour monthly work requirements for expansion enrollees, frozen provider tax rates that gradually lower from 6% to 3.5% of net revenue, and caps on state directed payments at Medicare levels. Administrative burdens will be substantial, requiring significant state investments in staffing, IT systems, and oversight capacity to comply with enforcement provisions including six-month eligibility redeterminations instead of annual reviews. The impact timeline provides some relief, with only 6% of the $792 billion in cuts hitting state budgets between 2025-2027, while the most drastic revenue reductions don't take effect until 2028, particularly affecting Medicaid expansion states. Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:27:47 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/2/state-medicaid-programs-face-huge-federal-funding-cut https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/2/state-medicaid-programs-face-huge-federal-funding-cut Lauren Calhoun, Dylan Busler September presents a relatively mild compliance month with lobbying reports due in 20 states and 7 localities, plus federal deadlines in Canada, providing some relief compared to busier reporting periods throughout the year. Georgia and Louisiana may require multiple reports depending on government branch registrations, while New York's unique requirement mandates state registration for any municipal lobbying activity, regardless of state-level lobbying involvement. Campaign finance obligations remain significant with 16 states plus federal deadlines requiring attention to filing schedules, optional reporting frequencies, and large contribution thresholds that can trigger additional reporting requirements. Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:43:56 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/2/lobbying-and-campaign-finance-compliance-deadlines-in-september-2025 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/2/lobbying-and-campaign-finance-compliance-deadlines-in-september-2025 Lauren Calhoun Lobbyists should generally avoid making political contributions in their capacity as lobbyists, but must understand campaign finance rules and reporting requirements to avoid accidental violations that can carry serious legal consequences. Campaign finance expenses that may trigger reporting include event hosting and fundraising activities, travel and accommodations for candidates, public appearances, and coordinated volunteer efforts that go beyond simple individual volunteering. Five commonly regulated contribution types include direct candidate donations, PAC contributions, bundled contributions, in-kind donations of goods or services, and illegal straw donor contributions made in someone else's name to conceal funding sources. High-profile scandals demonstrate why campaign finance disclosure is crucial for transparency, corruption prevention, and maintaining public trust in political institutions. Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:20:40 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/2/a-campaign-finance-guide-for-lobbyists-what-to-know-about-making-political-contributions-part-i https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/2/a-campaign-finance-guide-for-lobbyists-what-to-know-about-making-political-contributions-part-i Bill Kramer Mid-decade redistricting is making a comeback as Texas recently enacted new maps causing California to respond, with Missouri, Florida, Ohio, and New York potentially following suit, breaking from century-old norms that restricted redistricting to once per decade. The practice was common in the 1800s when parties frequently redrew maps after gaining legislative control, but became extremely rare in the 20th century due to political norms and state constitutional limits favoring decennial redistricting cycles. The 2003 Texas redistricting provides a blueprint for current efforts, involving Tom DeLay's push for partisan advantage, Democrats fleeing the state twice to deny quorum, federal agency involvement, and ultimately shifting 6 House seats from Democratic to Republican control. Utah Governor Cox warns about changing long-standing norms without considering consequences, as the 2000s-era efforts by Texas, Colorado, and Georgia sparked fears of returning to 19th-century patterns of redistricting after every political flip. Tue, 02 Sep 2025 16:50:34 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/2/mid-decade-redistricting-returns-as-states-abandon-century-old-norms https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/9/2/mid-decade-redistricting-returns-as-states-abandon-century-old-norms Bill Kramer The OBBBA extends 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions while making significant spending reductions in state-administered healthcare programs, forcing difficult decisions about Medicaid and SNAP benefits for low-income individuals while creating substantial state budget pressures. The timing strategically delays major benefit cuts until late 2026, after congressional midterm elections, but requires state policymakers to begin making difficult budget decisions in preparation for the scheduled reductions during their 2026 legislative sessions. The 2026 election cycle will be massive for state politics, with gubernatorial seats in 36 states and 88 of 99 state legislative chambers up for election, meaning thousands of lawmakers will face voters while managing OBBBA's fiscal impacts. Democratic governors are warning of budgetary disasters, with estimated costs ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars that states cannot absorb without cutting core services like education, healthcare, and public safety. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:07:47 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/27/states-brace-for-obbba-cuts-as-2026-elections-loom-large https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/27/states-brace-for-obbba-cuts-as-2026-elections-loom-large Amber Thyson Mental and behavioral health continues as a major state legislative focus, with 29 states enacting 75 bills addressing coverage mandates, parity requirements, workforce issues, crisis response, and school-based initiatives. Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act implementation is driving state responses, with Georgia, Alaska, Oklahoma, and Washington passing measures to ensure consistent utilization review for mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Workforce shortages remain a critical issue, with Texas expanding loan repayment programs up to $180,000 for psychiatrists and adding incentives for rural service, while New Mexico addresses workforce coordination through regional delivery systems. Crisis response infrastructure is expanding through initiatives like Maryland's statewide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline system and Virginia's early childhood mental health screening programs for children birth to age five. Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:30:22 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/26/state-behavioral-health-legislative-trends-in-2025-parity-workforce-shortages-and-more https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/26/state-behavioral-health-legislative-trends-in-2025-parity-workforce-shortages-and-more Denisse Girón, Bradley Coffey, Hilary Smith Some state lobbying regulations may violate First Amendment rights by creating overly burdensome requirements that chill constitutionally protected speech and discourage legitimate advocacy efforts to petition government. Massachusetts requires lobbyists to register with the Corporations Division before lobbying, an unwritten requirement not found in statute that has led clients to abandon lobbying plans when registrations are rejected for non-compliance. Outdated compliance requirements persist across states, including Arkansas requiring wet signatures and notarization, North Carolina mandating notarized quarterly reports, and Pennsylvania requiring lobbyists making political contributions to register as political action committees. Excessive regulatory burdens undermine rather than strengthen democratic processes, as archaic requirements like frequent reporting in Georgia and Illinois or weekly filing in San Jose create unnecessary barriers without clear transparency benefits. Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:59:49 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/26/lobbying-and-lobbying-regulation-sliding-down-a-slippery-slope https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/26/lobbying-and-lobbying-regulation-sliding-down-a-slippery-slope Lisa Kimbrough Prior authorization reform is accelerating through multiple legislative strategies, including gold card programs that allow high-approval providers to bypass requirements, removal of authorization for specific drug classes, and mandatory decision timeframes for urgent and non-urgent requests. Gold card programs are expanding and evolving, with Arkansas, Texas, and West Virginia amending existing programs to extend privileges to group practices, increase look-back periods, and refine coverage categories during the 2025 legislative session. Artificial intelligence restrictions are emerging as a new focus area, with states like Maryland requiring patient-specific rather than group datasets for AI-driven decisions and mandating reporting when AI contributes to adverse determinations. Continuity of care provisions are gaining traction, with multiple states requiring new health plans to honor prior authorizations from previous insurers for 90 days to one year, particularly for chronic conditions and rare diseases. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:46:22 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/14/prior-authorization-reform-gains-momentum-in-states https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/14/prior-authorization-reform-gains-momentum-in-states Sandy Dornsife Recent Supreme Court precedent has created legal ambiguity between racial and partisan gerrymandering, with courts establishing that partisan redistricting is permissible while racial discrimination remains unconstitutional, but providing limited guidance on distinguishing between the two. The Supreme Court's postponement of Louisiana v. Callais until 2026 has left states in a legal Catch-22, where attempts to remedy racial gerrymandering can themselves be challenged as unconstitutional racial discrimination or "reverse gerrymandering." Florida's Supreme Court ruling in Black Voters Matter v. Byrd suggests courts may take an increasingly strict approach to racial gerrymandering claims, potentially making it more difficult for advocates to challenge maps that eliminate majority-minority districts. Both parties are preparing for redistricting battles ahead of 2026 midterms, with Republican states like Texas announcing special sessions while Democratic states explore preemptive redistricting options, creating potential for nationwide redistricting conflicts. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:02:30 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/14/state-redistricting-plans-navigate-complex-gerrymandering-legal-standards https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/14/state-redistricting-plans-navigate-complex-gerrymandering-legal-standards Bill Kramer Data centers are driving unprecedented electricity demand growth, with forecasters predicting 300% more energy use in 10 years and 2% annual grid growth leading to 50% increased consumption by 2050, ending two decades of flat electricity demand. Aging energy infrastructure compounds the challenge as many generating facilities near retirement while the grid transitions from coal to natural gas, with wind and solar still representing relatively small portions of the energy mix despite recent growth. Energy generation options all face significant trade-offs, from wind and solar intermittency issues to natural gas supply chain shortages, nuclear regulatory delays, and emerging technologies like small modular reactors requiring more development time. Transmission infrastructure presents an additional bottleneck, with the century-old fragmented U.S. grid requiring 57% more high-voltage lines by 2035 while managing over 3,000 utilities and 2,800 independent power producers across state regulatory boundaries. Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:19:18 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/13/how-states-are-preparing-for-major-electricity-demand-growth https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/13/how-states-are-preparing-for-major-electricity-demand-growth Lisa Kimbrough States are pursuing four major PBM reform strategies in 2025: delinking compensation from drug prices, requiring rebate pass-throughs to consumers, establishing fiduciary duties to health carriers, and prohibiting PBM ownership of pharmacies. Delinking represents the most comprehensive reform by mandating flat fees instead of rebate-based compensation, with Colorado being the only state to adopt this approach, taking effect in 2027. Fiduciary duty requirements are expanding beyond Maine and Vermont's pioneering efforts, with North Carolina adding this provision to ensure PBMs act as health carriers' agents rather than pursuing conflicting interests. Arkansas made headlines by becoming the first state to prohibit PBM pharmacy ownership, though immediate legal challenges have prevented implementation, while similar measures in Indiana and Louisiana were removed from their respective bills. Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:56:38 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/7/pharmacy-benefit-manager-reform-how-states-are-changing-pbm-operations https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/7/pharmacy-benefit-manager-reform-how-states-are-changing-pbm-operations Katherine Tschopp Federal agencies are seeking to establish a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods following significant state legislative activity in 2025, as states created varying definitions due to the absence of an official federal standard. In 2025, 15 states introduced bills aimed at defining "ultra-processed foods" in 2025. Most state legislation uses the "standard 11" additives definition including common food dyes and preservatives, with Arizona becoming the first state to enact this approach for school food restrictions and seven other states proposing identical language. Three bills contained a provision defining "ultra-processed foods," but the term and definition were ultimately removed as the bills advanced. Some states are pursuing broader definitions that include additional chemical additives or take function-based approaches rather than specific ingredient lists, with California and Pennsylvania defining ultra-processed foods by substance function rather than enumerated additives. Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:28:47 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/7/states-move-to-define-and-restrict-ultra-processed-foods https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/7/states-move-to-define-and-restrict-ultra-processed-foods Lauren Johnson States are increasingly prioritizing behavioral health interventions for incarcerated individuals, with 56% of state prison populations indicating mental health problems, as lawmakers seek to reduce recidivism and social service reliance post-release. Legislative approaches vary from initial judicial encounters through mental health treatment courts and competency evaluations to specialized programs providing behavioral health support during incarceration and pre-release Medicaid services. Mental health treatment courts are expanding across states as alternatives to traditional judicial systems, offering specialized rehabilitation approaches that connect individuals with treatment options and address underlying conditions contributing to criminal behavior. Future investment in behavioral health programs for incarcerated populations faces uncertainty due to federal revenue pressures and potential budget constraints, particularly as states confront Medicaid funding reductions in coming years. Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:22:24 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/6/state-behavioral-health-programs-for-incarcerated-individuals-expand-in-2025 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/6/state-behavioral-health-programs-for-incarcerated-individuals-expand-in-2025 Bradley Coffey Conference season creates complex compliance scenarios as government affairs professionals must follow the lobbying laws of officials' home states regardless of the event location, requiring knowledge of multiple jurisdictions' regulations simultaneously. State lobbying definitions vary significantly, with some states like Illinois regulating "goodwill lobbying" for relationship-building purposes while others like California only regulate direct communications intended to influence specific legislative or administrative actions. Gift restrictions and campaign contribution rules remain in effect during conferences, with states like Colorado and Kentucky having strict prohibitions on meals and beverages, while others restrict contributions during legislative sessions or from registered lobbyists entirely. Successful conference networking requires advance planning to understand registration thresholds, lobbying definitions, and permissible activities before engaging with public officials, as violations can result in serious legal and professional consequences. Wed, 06 Aug 2025 01:32:19 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/6/heres-your-conference-season-compliance-guide-where-should-you-register https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/6/heres-your-conference-season-compliance-guide-where-should-you-register Morgan Scarboro The OBBBA primarily extends and modifies 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, including permanent pass-through business deductions and individual tax rates, while adding politically popular exemptions for tip income and overtime pay that states may adopt independently. Direct federal tax conformity would reduce state revenues by only $3.7 billion annually (less than 1% of state income tax collections), but if states enact matching tip and overtime exemptions, losses could reach $20.5 billion annually or 4.2% of collections. The most significant state budget impacts come from federal funding shifts in SNAP and Medicaid programs, with states facing up to $1.02 trillion in reduced Medicaid funding over ten years and increased SNAP administrative and benefit cost responsibilities. International tax provisions become more complex as GILTI transforms into Net CFC-Tested Income, requiring states that previously conformed to reconsider their approach to taxing multinational corporations' foreign earnings amid increasingly aggressive federal sourcing rules. Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:55:46 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/5/how-much-will-the-federal-tax-changes-in-the-obbba-cost-states https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/8/5/how-much-will-the-federal-tax-changes-in-the-obbba-cost-states Bill Kramer The OBBBA's timing delays major benefit cuts until late 2026, after congressional midterm elections, but requires state policymakers to begin making difficult budget decisions in preparation for the scheduled reductions. The 2026 election cycle will have major implications for the states , with gubernatorial seats in 36 states and 88 of 99 state legislative chambers up for election, meaning thousands of lawmakers will face voters while managing OBBBA's fiscal impacts. Governors, primarily Democrats, are warning of budgetary disasters, with estimated costs ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars that states cannot absorb without making steep reductions to other state-funded services. The political implications of OBBBA provisions will likely extend far beyond federal races, affecting state-level campaigns as governors and legislators may be forced to justify spending cuts, tax increases, or both to voters in 2026. Wed, 30 Jul 2025 04:11:10 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/30/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-how-federal-changes-will-shape-state-elections https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/30/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-how-federal-changes-will-shape-state-elections Mary Kate Barnauskas Prescription Drug Affordability Boards remain active in nine states with varying authority levels, from making policy recommendations to setting upper payment limits, though no state has actually implemented a UPL despite Colorado's ongoing rulemaking process. State approaches to PDABs are diverging significantly, with Maryland expanding authority to cover all payers and Maine considering broader cost reduction strategies, while Virginia's governor continues to veto PDAB legislation for the second consecutive year. Some states are moving away from PDAB frameworks entirely, with New Hampshire and Ohio eliminating their boards through budget legislation, reflecting ongoing contentious debates about the effectiveness of state-level drug pricing interventions. Legal challenges continue to shape the PDAB landscape, with Colorado successfully defending against a manufacturer lawsuit in March, potentially providing a roadmap for other states facing similar legal opposition from pharmaceutical companies. Wed, 30 Jul 2025 03:53:38 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/30/prescription-drug-affordability-boards-in-2025-state-policy-actions-and-trends https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/30/prescription-drug-affordability-boards-in-2025-state-policy-actions-and-trends Chase Klingensmith, Dylan Busler August presents a lighter compliance month with lobbying reports due in only 13 states and 4 localities, along with federal deadlines in Canada. Time-sensitive reporting requirements continue in states like Wisconsin with 15-day initial communication deadlines, while Georgia and Louisiana may require multiple reports depending on government branch registrations. Local lobbying activity can trigger state-level registration requirements, particularly in New York where any municipal lobbying mandates state registration and bi-monthly reporting regardless of state-level activity. On the campaign finance front, there are deadlines in 11 states and at the federal level. Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:25:41 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/29/lobbying-and-campaign-finance-compliance-deadlines-in-august-2025 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/29/lobbying-and-campaign-finance-compliance-deadlines-in-august-2025 Sandy Dornsife Heat safety legislation doubled from 2024 to 2025, with eighteen states proposing workplace temperature protections, reflecting growing concern about climate change impacts on worker safety and the regulatory gap left by federal inaction. Current state regulations exist primarily in Democratic trifecta states, with only seven states having adopted occupational heat safety standards through regulatory rather than statutory approaches, creating inconsistent coverage across jurisdictions. Legislative proposals are evolving beyond heat-only protections to address both extreme hot and cold working conditions, demonstrating broader understanding of climate change's comprehensive effects on workplace safety. Federal OSHA heat regulations remain stalled in bureaucratic processes, prompting states to fill the regulatory vacuum with their own legislation as extreme weather events increase nationwide. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:30:21 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/16/state-extreme-weather-laws-18-states-propose-heat-safety-legislation-in-2025 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/16/state-extreme-weather-laws-18-states-propose-heat-safety-legislation-in-2025 Sandy Dornsife The Supreme Court's 2024-2025 term ended with an unprecedented rush of decisions, with nearly 50% of the 66 total opinions released in the final month, including some of the most controversial rulings affecting state policy. Major decisions reshape state authority across multiple policy areas, from employment discrimination and voting rights to parental control over education curriculum and healthcare access through Medicaid enforcement. The Court's conservative majority prevailed in key 6-3 decisions along partisan lines, granting parents opt-out rights for LGBTQ+ curriculum and restricting individual Medicaid patients' ability to sue for care enforcement. State legislative authority received broad validation, particularly in areas of medical uncertainty, with the Court granting states "wide discretion" to regulate gender-affirming care for minors and maintain voting district maps under federal review. Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:10:12 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/15/supreme-court-2025-five-major-decisions-reshaping-state-policy-nationwide https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/15/supreme-court-2025-five-major-decisions-reshaping-state-policy-nationwide Bill Kramer Student cellphone restrictions have spread rapidly across states, with over half now having statewide policies after just three years of legislative momentum, representing unprecedented speed for education policy adoption. State approaches vary significantly, from outright bans during instructional time to district-level mandates and financial incentives, with 29 states plus D.C. requiring some form of restrictions while others use recommendations or funding mechanisms. Implementation and enforcement remain significant challenges as individual districts, schools, and classrooms must carry out mandates despite some parental opposition to these policies. The issue represents rare bipartisan agreement in education policy as lawmakers across party lines cite studies showing negative effects of device use on student learning and development. Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:47:43 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/11/growing-state-movement-to-ban-student-cellphones-in-schools-gains-momentum https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/11/growing-state-movement-to-ban-student-cellphones-in-schools-gains-momentum Bill Kramer Virginia and New Jersey hold gubernatorial elections in November with open seats in both states, representing the primary off-year elections that often serve as political bellwethers for the following year's larger election cycles. Virginia could flip to a Democratic trifecta if Spanberger defeats Earle-Sears, potentially bringing total trifecta states near the record 40 from 2024, while New Jersey is expected to maintain Democratic control. Though only 2.4% of state lawmakers are up for election nationwide, these races carry outsized political significance as forecasters use them to predict party performance in 2026's 36 gubernatorial and 88 legislative chamber elections. Current forecasting suggests Democratic over-performance due to Trump's approval numbers, with Virginia's potential trifecta flip being the most consequential outcome for future policy directions. Wed, 09 Jul 2025 21:59:10 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/9/off-year-governors-races-what-virginia-and-new-jersey-tell-us-about-2026 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/9/off-year-governors-races-what-virginia-and-new-jersey-tell-us-about-2026 Michael Greene, Jay Wimberly Local governments are moving quickly to regulate hemp beverages due to legal ambiguity created by the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp derivatives containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC while leaving regulatory gaps for THC-infused products. Municipal approaches vary widely, from Chicago's proposed THC taxes and airport restrictions to Maryland's emergency ordinances prohibiting cannabis product distribution at public events, demonstrating the patchwork nature of local regulation. State leadership on hemp beverages influences local action, with Minnesota counties allowing self-service sales after the state's pioneering 2022 legislation, while Mississippi cities enacted bans following state legislative inaction. Local governments can implement hemp beverage regulations much faster than state legislatures, with some ordinances moving from introduction to adoption in just weeks, creating rapidly evolving compliance landscapes for businesses. Wed, 09 Jul 2025 20:28:55 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/9/municipal-hemp-laws-explode-as-local-governments-regulate-thc-beverages https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/9/municipal-hemp-laws-explode-as-local-governments-regulate-thc-beverages David Shonerd California's climate disclosure laws remain behind schedule with implementation delayed until later this year, though state senators insist 2026 deadlines for Scope 1 and 2 emissions reporting will hold firm despite regulatory headwinds. Other states are taking a wait-and-see approach, with similar bills introduced in New York, Colorado, New Jersey, and Illinois but failing to advance as lawmakers monitor California's implementation challenges. The Trump administration has directed the Department of Justice to identify and challenge state climate laws that burden energy production, though the Attorney General's report recommending action is already past its June 7 deadline. The European Union's recent decision to delay its own climate disclosure requirements for two years may signal broader implementation challenges for greenhouse gas reporting mandates that served as models for California's approach. Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:38:50 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/8/state-climate-disclosure-laws-all-eyes-on-californiaand-brussels https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/8/state-climate-disclosure-laws-all-eyes-on-californiaand-brussels Maggie Mick The 2026 gubernatorial elections will feature 36 state contests, making it crucial for advocacy planning as these outcomes will significantly impact stakeholder engagement strategies through 2027. Attorneys general are increasingly using their office as a pipeline to the governorship, with 12 of the current 50 governors having previously served as AG, reflecting the growing political nature and national coordination of these positions. Lieutenant governors remain the most consistent path to governorship, with 16 current governors being former lieutenant governors or seconds-in-command, demonstrating the continued importance of this traditional pipeline. Over 50% of current governors are former attorneys general or lieutenant governors, making early relationship-building with these officials through professional associations a critical investment for government affairs professionals. We've also got a new resource summarizing all of the declared (and rumored) candidates available for download. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:56:29 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/1/gearing-up-for-the-governors-super-bowl-in-2026 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/1/gearing-up-for-the-governors-super-bowl-in-2026 Lauren Calhoun, Dylan Busler July brings extensive compliance obligations with lobbying reports due in 36 states and 25 localities, plus federal deadlines in both the U.S. and Canada, creating one of the busiest reporting months of the year. Multiple filing requirements can coincide in states like New York, where lobbyists file bi-monthly reports while clients submit semi-annual reports, requiring careful tracking to avoid penalties from missed deadlines. Campaign finance adds another layer of complexity with 34 states plus federal and D.C. deadlines, while three states begin new lobbying registration renewal periods requiring immediate attention to avoid lapses in authorization. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:47:07 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/1/lobbying-and-campaign-finance-compliance-deadlines-in-july-2025 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/7/1/lobbying-and-campaign-finance-compliance-deadlines-in-july-2025 Kim Miller Sixteen states have introduced legislation requiring trust accounts for minor content creators' earnings, following pioneering laws in Illinois, Minnesota, and California that established protections for young influencers in the digital economy. State laws are modeled after California's historic Coogan Law from 1939, which protected child actors' earnings, with recent updates expanding coverage to include modern content creators and social media influencers. Takedown procedures vary significantly by state, with Utah placing responsibility on creators, Arkansas splitting duties between platforms and creators, and Montana focusing on platform-centric requirements for content removal. Legislative momentum has accelerated following high-profile cases of family vloggers exploiting children, highlighting concerns about consent, compensation, and the physical and mental well-being of minors featured in online content. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 22:51:40 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/25/protecting-young-influencers-new-laws-protect-content-creators-that-are-minors https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/25/protecting-young-influencers-new-laws-protect-content-creators-that-are-minors Bill Kramer New York passed the RAISE Act targeting frontier AI model developers with transparency requirements including safety documentation and 72-hour incident reporting to the Attorney General, differing from algorithmic discrimination bills that regulate AI users. The bill faces an uncertain future due to New York's unique gubernatorial review process, where Governor Hochul can delay requesting the bill until year-end and potentially wait until New Year's Eve to make a decision. Governor Hochul frequently uses "chapter amendments" to negotiate changes with legislative leaders before signing bills, utilizing this tool more than any predecessor on roughly one in seven bills sent to her desk. The tech industry is expected to launch major lobbying campaigns similar to those that led to California Governor Newsom's veto of SB 1047, though New York's extended timeline provides more opportunity for negotiation and amendments. Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:15:43 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/24/new-yorks-ai-safety-bill-faces-uncertain-fate https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/24/new-yorks-ai-safety-bill-faces-uncertain-fate David Shonerd A common question we get from clients is, “What does extended recess mean, and how is it different from adjournment?” Like most aspects of state legislatures, every state is unique, but here, we help you understand some common terms and why they matter. "Recess" means the legislature pauses for more than a few days with a scheduled return date, while "extended recess" is a long break without a fixed return date, allowing legislative leadership flexibility to reconvene without requiring gubernatorial action. "Adjourned" means the legislature has finished work either for the day or year with a scheduled return, while "sine die" (Latin for "without day") means the session is completely finished with no possibility of further legislative activity. Extended recess provides strategic advantages over adjournment because legislative leadership retains control to reconvene independently, whereas after sine die adjournment, typically only the governor can call the legislature back into special session. These distinctions matter for tracking legislation because extended recess keeps bills alive and allows for future action on unfinished business, while sine die adjournment generally kills pending legislation until the next regular session begins. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:20:34 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/23/extended-recess-sine-die-and-other-confusing-legislative-session-terms-explained https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/23/extended-recess-sine-die-and-other-confusing-legislative-session-terms-explained Dylan Busler Failure to comply with Federal regulations may lead to serious consequences. Review our checklist for a quick overview of what to expect when making independent expenditures. Independent expenditures require express advocacy for clearly identified candidates without any coordination with campaigns, distinguishing them from other political contributions that corporations are prohibited from making directly. Organizations must register as independent expenditure committees within 10 days if they raise funds and exceed $1,000 in contributions or expenditures, requiring proper organizational structure including treasurers and bank accounts. All public communications funded by independent expenditures must include specific disclaimer statements identifying funders and authorization status, with wording and visibility standards varying by media type. Independent expenditures must be tracked on an accrual basis rather than cash basis, requiring itemization of all related costs including production, staff time, and consulting fees from the moment contracts are signed. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:54:31 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/23/avoiding-pitfalls-in-political-spending-a-compliance-checklist-for-independent-expenditures https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/23/avoiding-pitfalls-in-political-spending-a-compliance-checklist-for-independent-expenditures Lisa Kimbrough Congress and states are pursuing Medicaid work requirements as budget pressures mount, with the House passing legislation mandating 80 hours monthly of work or community engagement for Medicaid expansion populations by December 2026. State legislative activity is accelerating, with bills introduced in 14 states and four states already enacting work requirement legislation, though the measures face mixed gubernatorial support depending on party affiliation. Multiple states are simultaneously pursuing federal waivers to implement work requirements ahead of any congressional mandate, with some programs potentially exceeding federal minimums once baseline requirements are established. The Trump administration's supportive stance on work requirements is encouraging both federal and state action after previous unsuccessful attempts, though Senate passage of the House bill remains uncertain due to Republican opposition to other Medicaid provisions. Tue, 17 Jun 2025 18:32:58 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/17/states-push-forward-with-medicaid-work-requirements-as-federal-support-returns https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/17/states-push-forward-with-medicaid-work-requirements-as-federal-support-returns Sandy Dornsife States are increasingly enacting legislation to include religion in public schools through Ten Commandments postings, school voucher programs, and religious education requirements, creating widespread constitutional challenges. The Supreme Court's conservative majority is shifting toward viewing exclusion of religion as discrimination rather than neutrality, potentially rebalancing Free Exercise and Establishment Clause protections in education policy. Recent Supreme Court cases show mixed results, with parental religious rights cases appearing to succeed while religious charter school efforts face unexpected resistance, even from conservative justices. The Court's unpredictable approach to religious state action in education is encouraging continued experimentation by states testing constitutional boundaries between church and state. Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:22:43 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/17/wave-of-new-policy-blurs-the-line-between-education-and-religion https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/17/wave-of-new-policy-blurs-the-line-between-education-and-religion Billy Culleton The Trump administration has launched a comprehensive rollback of renewable energy initiatives, halting all wind project approvals on public lands from Day 1 and targeting wind and solar tax credits through the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" budget reconciliation process. Critics argue that wind and solar increase grid blackout risks due to intermittent power generation, while the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans favor expanding baseload sources like natural gas, coal, and nuclear power over renewables that currently comprise only 14% of US electricity generation. State-level action on renewable energy is intensifying, with lawmakers introducing over 130 bills across 27 states this year to regulate wind and solar siting and permitting, demonstrating that states retain significant authority over where renewable projects can be built. While federal policy influences investment decisions through tax incentives, the real regulatory power over renewable energy development lies with state governments, making local politics crucial for the future of wind and solar installations. Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:01:43 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/17/states-take-center-stage-in-renewable-energy-debate https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/17/states-take-center-stage-in-renewable-energy-debate Jose Perez A majority of states have not yet enacted their fiscal year 2026 budgets, with varying reasons including federal uncertainty, increased spending pressures, and political disagreements between governors and legislatures. Several states face revenue challenges, with California confronting a $12 billion shortfall blamed on federal tariff policies and North Carolina warning that further income tax cuts could lead to deficit spending as soon as next year. Budget negotiations reveal political tensions, particularly in Minnesota where the Senate Tax Committee Chair opposed the leadership's tax agreement, and in North Carolina where House and Senate Republicans disagree on the aggressiveness of proposed income tax cuts. Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:14:06 +0000 https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/11/as-regular-sessions-wind-down-states-struggle-to-pass-budgets https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/6/11/as-regular-sessions-wind-down-states-struggle-to-pass-budgets