Legislatures

Minnesota Legislatures Forge Ahead: New Laws Emerge Amid Federal Budget Cuts

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St. Paul, Minnesota – Although the legislative session may be on break, significant progress continues behind the scenes as lawmakers engage in critical discussions and community outreach to craft impactful legislation. This interim period serves as a pivotal time for shaping the state’s policy direction. As of July 1, Minnesota’s new budget has taken effect, instituting a range of policies passed during the last legislative session. Many of these new laws represent a collaborative effort across party lines, showcasing a commitment to governance that balances different viewpoints. Despite some areas of the budget that could … Read more

Texas Legislature’s 89th Session Wraps Up with Major New Laws Impacting Education, Health, Water, and Crime

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AUSTIN, Texas — Over the course of the 89th Texas Legislature, which lasted 140 days, lawmakers worked diligently, introducing a total of 11,503 bills in both the Senate and House. With the end of the legislative session approaching, Governor Greg Abbott laid down his pen—by June 22, he had signed 1,155 bills into law, vetoing 26 others. Among those, 255 measures were set to take effect immediately, addressing essential issues like education, water management, health services, and public safety. Among the newly signed legislation, House Bill 2081 aims to enhance educational opportunities for students with … Read more

Judge to Rule on Expanding Georgia Legislature’s Subpoena Authority

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Atlanta, Georgia — A significant legal debate over the extent of subpoena power held by legislators in Georgia is now pending a decision from a Fulton County Superior Court judge. The crux of this legal battle revolves around whether state lawmakers should possess the authority to compel evidence and testimony through subpoenas during legislative sessions. This legal issue surged to prominence following a controversy involving a Republican-led legislative study committee, which had been actively using its subpoena power to conduct investigations. Critics argue that such powers should be curbed, fearing potential overreach, while supporters believe … Read more

State Legislatures Continue to Tackle Privacy Issues With New Consumer, Children’s, Biometric, and Health Data Bills

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Madison, Wisconsin – As state legislatures across the country get underway with their 2024 sessions, lawmakers are already focusing on a range of privacy bills, including those related to consumer data, children’s privacy, biometric data, consumer health data, and data brokerage. This marks the fifth year of tracking proposed state privacy legislation, with Husch Blackwell providing weekly updates, a state privacy law tracker map, and additional resources for clients. In an effort to make information more accessible, Husch Blackwell is changing its format this year. Instead of lengthy blog posts, the firm will provide bill … Read more