Latest Legislation News
Rhode Island tackles housing shortage by making it easier to add rental units on to homes
BOSTON (AP) — A new state law designed to streamline the process of developing accessory dwelling units — also known as “granny flats” or “in-law apartments” — is being hailed by advocates as a way to create affordable living spaces amid an ongoing housing crunch. The...
The Supreme Court will hear an appeal to upend Texas' age verification law for porn websites
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear an appeal from the adult entertainment industry seeking to upend a Texas law that requires pornographic websites to verify the age of their users. The justices will review an appellate ruling that allowed the age...
Today in History: July 2, Civil Rights Act signed into law
Today in History Today is Tuesday, July 2, the 184th day of 2024. There are 182 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a sweeping civil rights bill passed by Congress...
How to keep guns off Bourbon Street? Designate a police station as a school
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A police station in New Orleans' French Quarter will be designated a vocational technical school in a move that will instantly outlaw gun possession in the surrounding area — including a stretch of bar-lined Bourbon Street — as a new Louisiana law eliminating the need for...
Federal judge halts Mississippi law requiring age verification for websites
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked a Mississippi law that would require users of websites and other digital services to verify their age. The preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden came the same day the law was set to take effect. A tech...
Sotomayor's dissent: A president should not be a 'king above the law'
WASHINGTON (AP) — In an unsparing dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the Supreme Court allowed a president to become a “king above the law” in its ruling that limited the scope of criminal charges against former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S....
Bill defining antisemitism in North Carolina signed by governor
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday signed legislation that places an official definition of antisemitism into state law, which supporters say could help law enforcement determine whether someone should be charged under current hate crime prohibitions based on race,...
The Supreme Court casts doubt on Florida and Texas laws to regulate social media platforms
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday kept on hold efforts by Texas and Florida to limit how Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users in a ruling that strongly defended the platforms' free speech rights. Writing...
Campus carry weapons law debuts in West Virginia, joins 11 other states
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — People with concealed carry permits can possess firearms on West Virginia public college and university campuses under a state law that debuted Monday. Institutions of higher learning can implement exceptions to the law, which bans the open carry of a...
New Georgia laws regulate hemp products, set standards for rental property and cut income taxes
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia on Monday imposed new restrictions on the sale of hemp products, required some basic standards for rented residences, cut income taxes and required cash bail for dozens of new crimes. Those are among many laws passed earlier this year by the General Assembly...
