Latest Legislation News

Hong Kong passes a new national security law that expands the government's power to crush dissent

Mar. 19, 2024 06:59 AM EDT
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong passes a new national security law that expands the government's power to crush dissent.

US officials say pact with strategically key Pacific island nations underscores American commitment

Mar. 19, 2024 05:02 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — U.S. officials stressed Tuesday that newly-approved legislation providing billions of dollars in funding for three strategically important Pacific island nations is an important sign of American commitment, which comes amid warnings China is actively trying to pry them away from...

6 former Mississippi law officers to be sentenced for torture of 2 Black men

Mar. 19, 2024 00:39 AM EDT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to a long list of state and federal charges for torturing two Black men will be sentenced by a federal judge starting Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee will sentence two defendants each day...

Gambia lawmakers refer a repeal of the ban on female genital cutting to more committee discussions

Mar. 19, 2024 02:00 AM EDT

SERREKUNDA, Gambia (AP) — Lawmakers in Gambia referred an attempted repeal of the 2015 ban on female genital cutting for further committee discussions on Monday. Gambian activists fear a repeal would overturn years of work to better protect girls and women. The legislation was...

Hong Kong lawmakers hold special session, nearing vote on law that could further quash dissent

Mar. 19, 2024 01:18 AM EDT

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong's lawmakers met in a special session to resume debate on a proposed national security law Tuesday, paving the way to grant the government more power to quash dissent in the southern Chinese city. The legislation is widely seen as the latest step in a...

Supreme Court extends block on Texas law that would allow police to arrest migrants

Mar. 18, 2024 22:58 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday continued to block, for now, a Texas law that would give police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of illegally entering the U.S. while the legal battle it sparked over immigration authority plays out. A one-page order signed by...

Federal court rules firearm restrictions on defendants awaiting trial are constitutional

Mar. 18, 2024 22:53 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Court orders that prohibited two criminal defendants from possessing firearms while they awaited trial were constitutional because they were in line with past restrictions on firearms, a federal court ruled Monday. Judge Gabriel P. Sanchez, writing for a...

Arizona governor vetoes bill that some lawmakers hoped would help fix housing crisis

Mar. 18, 2024 17:43 PM EDT

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill Monday that some legislators believed could have helped fix the state’s housing crisis. Known as the Arizona Starter Homes Act, the bill would have prevented state municipalities from requiring homeowners associations, minimum...

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signs proclamation condemning antisemitism while vetoing bill defining it

Mar. 18, 2024 17:36 PM EDT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed a bill Monday that would have defined antisemitism in state education code while simultaneously signing a proclamation condemning all forms of antisemitism. The Republican governor cited changes made to the bill in the final...

Arizona legislation to better regulate rehab programs targeted by Medicaid scams is moving forward

Mar. 15, 2024 20:44 PM EDT

PHOENIX (AP) — A Navajo state senator said Friday she's hoping for final approval of her bill to tighten regulations for rehab facilities amid widespread fraud that has bilked hundreds of millions in Arizona Medicaid dollars and scammed hundreds of Native Americans seeking help for addictions. ...