| | | | | | Legislative developments and policy trends from across the states to keep you ahead of the curve. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Current Legislative Landscape | | 3 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Congress are currently in regular session. | |
The following states are in recess until the dates provided: District of Columbia (September 16) and Pennsylvania (September 28). Ohio is in recess until November 9, though the Senate does have some if-needed dates scheduled for September and October.
| | | | | | We are closely monitoring all legislative session activity to provide you with the most up-to-date information. (Got an on-the-ground tip on sessions? Email us!) | | | | | | | | Upcoming Governor Signing Deadlines - North Carolina (Stein) - September 5
- Alaska (Dunleavy) - 20 days from presentment, Sunday excepted
- Arizona (Hobbs) and New York (Hochul) - 10 days from presentment, Sundays excepted
- Illinois (Pritzker) - 60 days
- Louisiana (Landry) - 20 days from presentment
- Maryland (Moore) - 30 days from presentment
- Massachusetts (Healey) - 10 days from presentment or pocket vetoed
- New Hampshire (Ayotte) - five days, Sundays excepted
- Rhode Island (McKee) - six days from presentment
- Wisconsin (Evers) - six days from presentment, Sundays excepted
| | | | |
North Carolina adjourned on August 6 but is expected to
reconvene for voting sessions multiple times through November. The legislature is next scheduled to convene on August 31.
California is scheduled to adjourn its 2026 legislative session on August 31. | | |
Special Sessions
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy called legislators back on July 27 for a third special session on the issue of taxing the Alaska LNG pipeline project. On August 13 the House Majority announced that the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline bill would not move forward because it did not have enough votes and it would not receive a vote during the special session. The special session is scheduled to end on August 25. [KTUU] North Dakota Republican Gov. Kelly Armstrong called a special session beginning September 2. The special session will be focused on legislation permanently banning the sale, possession and distribution of kratom. [KFYRTV]
| | | Interim Activity
Interim committees and study postings are underway in: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
*Added since the last newsletter. | | | | | | |
The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on the dates provided: Pennsylvania House District 12 (August 18) and Arkansas Senate District 1, Colorado Senate districts 17, 21, 29 and 31, Florida Senate District 21, Hawaii Senate districts 18 and 19, Kansas Senate districts 24 and 25, Mississippi House districts 70 and 77, Nebraska Senate District 41, New Mexico Senate District 33, North Dakota House districts 26 and 42, Oklahoma House District 92 and Senate District 17, South Carolina Senate District 15, Virginia House District 20, West Virginia Senate districts 3 and 17 and Wyoming Senate District 6 (November 3). | | | Posting Bill Drafts for 2027 | |
Arkansas, *Florida, *Iowa, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah are posting bill drafts for 2027.
| | | | | | | | |
Pennsylvania State Legislator calls for reconvening of State Senate in connection to data center development. [Fox43] | | |
Wisconsin Wisconsin legislators seek to address state's educator shortage. [The Cap Times]
| | | | | | | | |
FOCUS on Alcohol & Cannabis | | | | | | | |
A provision included in the deal that ended last year’s U.S. government shutdown could upend a multibillion-dollar industry. On November 12, 2026, a new federal definition of “hemp” takes effect that would render most hemp-derived products, from gummies to THC beverages, unlawful. Congress is now attempting to push it back, while states move in opposite directions, with Texas enacting one of the country’s strictest bans.
What the New Federal Definition Changes The 2018 farm bill legalized hemp as cannabis with no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. Because the standard measured only delta-9, it opened the door to intoxicating products like delta-8 and THCA flower being sold in gas stations. Congress closed that gap in 2025 with HR 5371, which Republican President Donald Trump signed on November 12, 2025. The act replaces the delta-9-only test with a “total THC” standard measured after decarboxylation and caps products at 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable estimates it would eliminate 95 percent of products in a $28 billion industry supporting 300,000 jobs. CBD and industrial hemp remain exempt from the ban.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Winning a massive jackpot brings immediate life-changing wealth, but state laws differ sharply on whether recipient names should be exposed to the public. This session Maine and New Hampshire enacted laws allowing jackpot winners to shield their identities.
Meanwhile, five other states, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts have pending legislation exploring similar protections. As statehouses continue to debate the balance between winner security and public oversight, location remains the key factor in whether a major win stays private or becomes a matter of public record.
| | | | | | | | | | FOCUS: Trusted Experts in State Government Affairs | | | | Since 2003, FOCUS has provided tailored, results-driven government affairs solutions for our clients. We offer best-in-class legislative and regulatory tracking to keep you informed and ahead of the curve. Our full-service platform delivers real-time, comprehensive coverage across all 50 states, D.C., Congress, local jurisdictions, and key state and federal agencies. With filtered databases, customized alerts, expert analysis, an intuitive dashboard, and outstanding support, our team equips you with the tools and intelligence needed to navigate policy developments with confidence and clarity. | | | | | | |
Customized, Comprehensive Tracking Platform | Track legislation and regulations across all 50 states, Congress, Puerto Rico, thousands of municipalities, and select international regions in an expert-filtered, tailored-to-you database. No keyword dumps, no junk—just what’s relevant. | | | |
Intel-rich Bill Analysis & Weekly Reporting | Customized, analyst-written reports on priority legislation and regulations—delivered weekly to inform strategy and identify risks & opportunities early. | | | |
Unparalleled Customer Service | Direct, ongoing access to your lead analyst, unlimited training and support, and concierge-level client care. We pride ourselves on serving as an extension of your staff. | | | | Access The Advocacy Group (TAG) — the premier 50-state and global lobbying network — at no cost. No middlemen. No referral fees. Just direct access to the best of the best. The TAG network includes 60+ top-tier, independent firms — one in every state, country, and specialty. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
.png)
