Tag: State legislation
-
Washington voters to decide on an initiative to repeal legislation establishing an income tax for households earning over $1 million and ban income taxes in general
Voters in Washington will decide on a ballot measure that would repeal legislation establishing an income tax for certain households and ban income taxes altogether on Nov. 3, 2026. More specifically, the measure — known as I-645 — is an Initiative to the People, a type of initiated state statute, that would repeal provisions of…
-
New Jersey becomes the 11th state to enact a state-level voting rights act
On July 2, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) signed legislation making New Jersey the 11th state to enact a state-level voting rights act. Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting nationwide, some states have enacted state-level voting rights acts. The provisions of these laws vary,…
-
State legislatures enact more than 200 election-related bills in first four months of 2026
States have enacted 236 election-related bills so far this year, 66% more than at this point in 2024 and nearly two-and-a-half times the total from 2022. These figures come from Ballotpedia's State of Election Policy 2026 Spring Report, which covers election-related legislative activity captured in our Election Administration Legislation Tracker through April 24 of this…
-
Alabama enacts post-election audit law, 13 other election-related bills in 2026 session
The Alabama Legislature adjourned its regular session on April 9 after enacting 14 election-related bills, all of which Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed. Among those bills was HB 95, which requires post-election audits. Under the new law, each county judge of probate is required to order a post-election audit after every countywide and statewide general…
-
One-fourth of indirect initiatives were approved by state legislatures between 2018 and 2025; 12 currently pending before state legislatures
There are nine states that authorize indirect initiatives, either statutes or constitutional amendments, where citizen-proposed ballot measures are first presented to state legislatures. Between 2018 and 2025, 40 indirect initiatives were certified to state legislatures. Ten were approved by state legislatures, while 17 were approved and 13 were rejected by voters. For the 2026 ballot,…
-
New Mexico enacts law prohibiting the deployment of troops to polling places
On March 9, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed legislation prohibiting a person from bringing or ordering military troops or armed federal agents to a polling place or ballot drop box location. Federal law prohibits the deployment of troops or United States servicemembers to a polling place “unless such force be necessary to…
-
States advance ESG-related bills
Four state legislatures took action on six ESG-related bills between June 17-23. Legislation in Ohio and Florida passed both chambers. Legislation in New Hampshire and North Carolina crossed over from one chamber to another. States with legislative activity on ESG last week are highlighted in the map below. Click here to see the details of…
-
Louisiana passes REINS Act-inspired legislative oversight
What's the story The Louisiana Senate passed SB 59, a bill that increases legislative oversight on rules through requirements similar to a REINS-style law, on June 3 by a vote of 37-0. The bill was sent to Gov. Jeff Landry (R) for signature on June 8. Gov. Jeff Landry (R) expressed support for SB 59.…
-
Four states enact cellphone bans in May so far
Four (4) states enacted cellphone bans in May so far: All of the state policies prohibit unsanctioned cell phone usage from the beginning of the school day to the end of the days. Each policy does not apply to school-issued or school-used devices and have exemptions for use by students with medical or academic needs…
-
Republican-led election policy bills advance in Kansas legislative session
All but two state legislatures are currently convening their regular 2025 legislative sessions. Lawmakers in these states have already introduced more than 2,300 bills related to election administration this year. Among states where lawmakers have advanced election policy bills is Kansas. Kansas has a divided government and is one of two states, along with Kentucky,…