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Legislative developments and policy trends from across the states to keep you ahead of the curve. | | | |
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Current Legislative Landscape | |
21 states, DC, PR and US are currently in regular session. | | | |
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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!) | |
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Past Governor Signing Deadlines
- Idaho (Little) - April 14
- Kentucky (Beshear) and Maine (Mills) - April 27
Upcoming Governor Signing Deadlines - Georgia (Kemp) - May 12
- Iowa (Reynolds) - June 2 or pocket vetoed
- Hawaii (Green) - June 22
- Alabama (Ivey) - 10 days or pocket vetoed
- Arkansas (Sanders) - 20 days from presentment, Sundays excepted.
- Connecticut (Lamont) and Florida (DeSantis) - 15 days from presentment.
- Kansas (Kelly) and Tennessee (Lee) - 10 days, Sundays excepted
- Maryland (Moore) - 30 days from presentment
- Wisconsin (Evers) - six days from presentment, Sundays excepted
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The following states adjourned their 2026 legislative session on the dates provided: - Iowa (May 3)
- Connecticut (May 6)
- Hawaii (May 8)
The following states are expected to adjourn their 2026 legislative session on the dates provided: - Colorado (May 14)
- Missouri (May 15)
- Minnesota (May 18)
- Alaska (May 20)
- Arizona (May 22)
- Oklahoma (May 29)
- Illinois (May 31)
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Special Sessions
Arkansas adjourned its special session on May 6. The governor signed multiple tax bills into law. The laws change individual and corporate taxes and alter the Homestead Credit. [KARK] Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee called a special session that convened May 5 and adjourned May 7. The governor signed a new congressional map that split up the Memphis-area district. [News Channel 9] Alabama adjourned its special session on May 8. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed two bills into law that redraw congressional district maps and special election rules. [WSFA12]
The Florida legislature is scheduled to meet May 12-29 to complete budget work. [The Florida Bar] Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves announced a special legislative session to redraw three state Supreme Court districts. Legislators will convene around May 20 as the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in the Louisiana v. Callais case on April 29 and the governor called the session for 21 days after the decision. The court tossed the redrawn Louisiana map. [Clarion Ledger] | | |
Interim Activity
Interim committees and study postings are underway in: *Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, *Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
*Added since the last newsletter. | | |
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Texas held a special election for Senate District 4 on May 2. Republican Brett Ligon defeated Democrat Ron Angeletti with 75 percent of the vote to Angeletti’s 25 percent. [KHOU11]
Michigan held a special election for Senate District 35 on May 5. Democrats will keep control of the Senate as Democrat Chedrick Greene defeated Republican Jason Tunney. Greene received 59 percent of the vote and Tunney received 40 percent. [Michigan Public] The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on the dates provided: Georgia House District 177 (May 15), Georgia Senate District 7 and Pennsylvania House District 196 (May 19), Maine House District 29 (June 9) and Louisiana House District 39 (June 27).
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Connecticut CT Legislature passed several technology, digital safety bills. [WSHU] | |
Louisiana State legislators voting on multiple bills addressing Louisiana's mental health. [WBRZ] | | |
Iowa Which bills passed the Iowa Legislature this year? Which didn't. [The Gazette] | |
Minnesota In Minnesota legislature's final week, questions remain on school safety, fraud prevention. [MPR News] | | | | |
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The King's Speech will take place in the UK, on 13 May, which will lay out the British government's planned new laws for the next parliamentary session. [The Independent]
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Data broker oversight has become a focal point for legislators across the country, with the policy conversation shifting toward creating standardized registration systems and central consumer opt out mechanisms similar to those found in the California DELETE Act, which requires compliance beginning August 1. These legislative efforts represent a significant change in the regulatory landscape for companies that manage consumer data as a core part of their business model. | |
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FOCUS on Telecom & Wireless: | | | |
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A growing number of states are moving beyond basic distracted driving laws and adopting full hands-free requirements. While texting while driving is prohibited nationwide, fewer states have enacted laws that prohibit drivers from holding a device at all – resulting in a patchwork of requirements across jurisdictions.
This map highlights where states stand on hands-free driving laws, including states with full bans and partial restrictions such as texting-only prohibitions, restrictions limited to school or construction zones, or rules that apply only to younger or novice drivers.
FOCUS will continue to monitor policy changes affecting hands-free driving.
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FOCUS: Trusted Experts in State Government Affairs | |
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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. | | |
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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. | | | |
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