Latest State legislature News

A glance at bills passed by the Maryland General Assembly
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland lawmakers have their annual 90-day session, working all the way up to the midnight deadline Monday. Here is a glance at some of the measures the General Assembly passed this session: PANDEMIC RELIEF Gov. Larry Hogan...

Maryland session ends after focus on pandemic aid, policing
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland lawmakers have adjourned their legislative session that focused largely on COVID-19 recovery, expansive police reforms and longstanding disparities that have been worsened by the pandemic. Senate President Bill Ferguson said lawmakers...
Bill to legalize sports betting heads to Arizona governor
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Legislature late Monday approved a key part of a plan that will provide new opportunities for gambling at casinos owned by Native American tribes and for the first time allow sports betting both on and off reservations. The Senate approved a...

New Mexico governor signs bill to legalize recreational pot
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation Monday legalizing recreational marijuana use within months and kicking off sales next year, making it the seventh state since November to put an end to pot prohibition. The governor, a...

Colorado bill would prohibit traveling animal show
DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers moved closer to passing a bill that would prohibit using certain animals in traveling performances like circuses, facing opposition from livestock and rodeo groups who claim the measure threatens their livelihood and support from animal rights organizations....
Missouri House votes against proof-of-vaccine mandates
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House on Monday advanced a bill that would ban private businesses from requiring proof of vaccination from either employees or customers. The GOP-led House voted 88-56 to tack the provision on another bill. ...
Activist who opposed mosque confirmed to textbook panel
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An activist known for her fight against the establishment of a mosque in Tennessee a decade ago has drawn state lawmakers' approval to serve on a commission that recommends textbooks and instructional materials for K-12 schools, despite opponents saying she espoused...

Arkansas House sends governor stripped-down hate crimes bill
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers on Monday approved a stripped-down alternative to hate crimes legislation that longtime supporters of such laws have criticized as not providing true protections following a succession of new measures restricting the rights of transgender people....
Casino, lottery bill up for Senate debate
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — State senators are expected to debate lottery and casino legislation Tuesday as lawmakers make a third attempt to advance a gambling bill this session. Republican Sen. Jim McClendon of Springville said Monday that he expects to bring up a bill...

Louisiana's latest legislative session moves past pandemic
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Despite the coronavirus outbreak, the Louisiana Legislature opened a regular session Monday that seems more like those of pre-pandemic times, with debates planned on taxes, sports betting, transgender rights and other issues far beyond the virus' aftermath. ...
