Between May 19 and June 18, 2026, Ballotpedia tracked a significant legislative action (enactment, veto, passage through both chambers) for 36 bills related to the administrative state in 14 states. Some highlights include a bill modifying agency structure in South Carolina, a sunset provision extension in Colorado, and a veto related to immigration enforcement in Virginia:
In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed S 0325 on May 19. The bill transforms an existing independent agency called the Department of Consumer Affairs into an executive branch department. Under the bill, the administrator of the Department will be appointed by the governor (with the advice and consent of the state senate). The bill also requires the Department to receive gubernatorial approval before bringing class action lawsuits.
The bill was introduced in the South Carolina Senate February 6, and passed the Senate 41-1 on February 25 (one Democrat voted no, nine Democrats and 32 Republicans voted yes). It passed the state House of Representatives on May 13 with a vote of 91-9 (nine Democrats voted no, nine Democrats and 82 Republicans voted yes).
In Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed HB 1287 on June 4. The bill extends the planned sunset date for the Division of Real Estate from September 1, 2026 to September 1, 2037. This extension follows the advice of a 2025 report by the Department of Regulatory Agencies. The bill also modifies the licensing powers of the Division, including authorizing it to revoke the license of licensees who do not comply with continuing education requirements. Colorado's sunset law dates from 1976.
The bill was introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives February 23, and passed the House 49-14 on April 24 (14 Republicans voted no, seven Republicans and 42 Democrats voted yes). The bill passed the Colorado Senate 30-4 on May 8 (four Republicans voted no, seven Republicans and 23 Democrats voted yes).
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed HB 650 on May 20. The bill would have prohibited federal civil immigration arrests in specific areas including courthouses, schools, and polling places. After vetoing the bill, Spanberger said "the reality is, I do not want to make false promises to vulnerable people that, as the governor and as the state legislature, we at the state government can dictate where federal agents can come. That is not a promise we can keep." Spanberger also issued an executive order requiring state agencies to prohibit federal immigration officials from accessing state property without a “valid warrant or order.”
The bill was introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates January 13, and passed the House in a 63-35 party-line vote February 12. It passed the Virginia State Senate with amendments in a 21-19 party-line vote March 10. After going through a conference committee, on March 14 the bill passed the House with a 62-35 party-line vote, and the Senate with a 21-18 party-line vote.
In 2026, Ballotpedia has tracked 199 bills related to the administrative state that have been enacted or vetoed. Of these, 99 bills were enacted in states with Republican trifectas. In states with Democratic trifectas 68 bills were enacted and 4 vetoed, while 17 bills were enacted, 4 bills were vetoed, and 7 vetoes were overridden in states with divided governments.
