All articles tagged with #legislation
A bipartisan Senate compromise to reform energy permitting faces five critical risks during the lame-duck session, including Trump's unpredictable support, potential Democratic leverage from midterms, environmental group opposition, utility sector divisions, and tight legislative timelines.
Rep. Jamie Raskin has introduced legislation requiring the Smithsonian to preserve artifacts from the Trump administration, including controversial signage and banners, as a permanent exhibit on authoritarianism. This move counters White House efforts to control the museum’s narrative through funding threats and executive orders.
Canada's Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced on October 7 that the federal government will indefinitely suspend plans to extend medically assisted dying (MAID) to individuals whose sole condition is a mental illness. The decision reverses a previous timeline that targeted March 2027 for this expansion. Fraser cited a lack of medical consensus on eligibility criteria and concerns regarding inadequate mental health services as primary reasons for the halt. While the government will introduce new legislation to formalize this exclusion, it will simultaneously allow for advance consent for patients with incurable physical illnesses who may lose decision-making capacity. The move follows a parliamentary committee recommendation to 'indefinitely exclude' such patients, though it faces criticism from advocacy groups and a pending Supreme Court challenge.
Kratom remains legal in most US states despite a surge in poison control reports and recent fatalities. While federal agencies flag the substance as a concern, state legislatures are increasingly moving to ban synthetic derivatives or impose strict regulations, with Utah issuing urgent warnings after four deaths linked to mislabeled supplements.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated there is no clear path forward for a bill to end the biannual clock change, highlighting legislative gridlock as midterm elections approach.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is campaigning for new anti-harassment legislation following the death of her ex-partner Ken Urker. While Blanchard attributes his passing to a suspected overdose and cites cyberbullying as a contributing factor, his family disputes her account of their relationship status and the cause of death. Police found drug paraphernalia and a firearm at Urker's Louisiana home, though no foul play was initially reported.
The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) 77-0, a bipartisan bill led by Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell to regulate college athletics. However, the bill faces significant opposition from major universities and civil rights groups, with the House not scheduled to act until November 9.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard has launched a petition for new legislation, dubbed 'Kenan's Law,' following the death of her partner Ken Urker. Urker was found dead in Raceland, Louisiana, on October 1, 2026, at the age of 34. Blanchard attributes his death to an overdose and links it to severe online harassment, urging lawmakers to require social media platforms to handle repeated harassment reports more effectively.
Leaders of Florida State, Miami, Clemson, and North Carolina sent a letter to House leadership urging changes to the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA). They seek to raise the conference membership cap from 20 to 22 and eliminate the three-year independence requirement for schools switching conferences. While the bill passed the Senate with 77 votes, these amendments aim to facilitate easier realignment for ACC members. Opponents argue the bill suppresses player wages, while supporters claim it stabilizes the sport.
Starting Oct. 1, 2026, new laws in the D.C. region ban dynamic grocery pricing in Maryland, enforce stricter vehicle registration rules, and reduce paid family leave in Washington, D.C. Virginia expands automatic sealing of misdemeanor records, while Maryland increases penalties for out-of-state license plates.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed over 20 bills on September 29, 2026, targeting federal immigration enforcement. Key measures include a ban on electric shock gloves, a 25% tax on private detention facilities, and restrictions on using state property for ICE operations. The legislation aims to increase oversight and accountability, though legal challenges from the federal government are expected.
The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act 77-22 on Monday, marking a major milestone for the legislation. Sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell, the bill aims to regulate Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, limit transfers, and create a federal framework for college athletics. However, the House is in recess until after the November midterms, delaying the final vote. While President Trump and major conferences support the bill, labor and civil rights groups oppose it, arguing it grants too much power to the NCAA.
The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act on September 28, 2026, by a 77-22 vote. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, establishes national rules for athlete compensation, transfers, and eligibility. It now moves to the House, which is on recess until after the November midterms. Critics, including the NAACP and the National College Players Association, argue the bill protects institutional interests over athlete rights, while supporters say it brings order to a chaotic system.
The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act on Monday with a 77-22 vote, establishing a federal framework for college athletics. While President Trump urged swift House action, Republican opposition to specific provisions threatens the bill's final passage.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed four new laws on Friday to increase penalties for repeat drunk drivers, following a CalMatters investigation into California's weak DUI statutes. The measures, including 'Braun's Law,' aim to make it easier to charge repeat offenders with murder and felonies, though advocates note that many proposed safety reforms failed this session.