Legislature

South Dakota Legislature Aims to Strengthen Fentanyl Laws, Cracking Down on Deadly Drug Crimes

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PIERRE, South Dakota – The South Dakota legislature is set to consider new bills aimed at strengthening the state’s fentanyl laws. Last year, law enforcement agencies in various communities across South Dakota arrested 250 individuals for crimes related to fentanyl. Additionally, they were able to seize ten pounds of the highly lethal drug. Fentanyl has become a growing concern in South Dakota as its abuse and illicit distribution continue to rise. The proposed bills are intended to address these issues and provide law enforcement with additional tools to combat the fentanyl crisis. The specifics of … Read more

Kentucky Legislature Debates Gun-Centric Bills: From Mandatory Reporting to Concealed Carry on College Campuses

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Louisville, Kentucky – A set of gun-related bills has been introduced in the Kentucky legislature during the early weeks of the 2024 session. These bills address various aspects of gun access and ownership, with some lawmakers seeking to enforce stricter penalties for gun-related crimes, while others aim to expand hunting rights or concealed carry privileges. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg recently reached out to state legislators for assistance in reducing the city’s gun violence. As the debate unfolds, let’s take a closer look at the proposed bills that could potentially shape Kentucky’s gun laws. One of … Read more

Florida Legislature Considers Allowing New Moms to Skip Jury Duty

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Tallahassee, Florida – A new proposal in the Florida legislature may offer a way for new mothers to be excused from jury duty. The bill, which has garnered unanimous votes in legislative committees, is aimed at supporting and prioritizing the needs of new mothers. If passed, the new law would allow women who have given birth within the six months prior to the reporting date to be excused from jury duty upon request, with a copy of the newborn’s birth certificate. The bill, filed in November, gained support from the state House’s Civil Justice Subcommittee … Read more

Kansas Legislature Fails to Fully Fund Special Education, Ignoring State Statute

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TOPEKA, Kansas – The Kansas Legislature has come under scrutiny for its failure to fully fund special education programs, despite a state statute that requires 92% reimbursement for school districts’ extra costs. With only 69% being paid, the lawmakers seem to be ignoring their own laws when it comes to special education. The issue was highlighted by Kansas Reflector journalists Tim Carpenter and Rachel Mipro, who reported that legislative leaders, including Rep. Kristey Williams and Sen. Renee Erickson, had dismissed the idea of convening a task force to address the funding shortfall. They argued that … Read more