The Latest Breaking News from State Law

Are State Law Climate Change Tort Suits Preempted by Federal Law?

A recent panel discussion on whether state and local suits against fossil fuel producers are preempted by federal law (and my arguments for why the answer is "no, they are not").

Reason · May 3, 2024

Legalized marijuana supporters hope voters in this Texas city will send a message to state lawmakers

There is no process in Texas for a voter-driven statewide referendum. So, supporters are going city by city to build statewide momentum.

The Texas Tribune · May 2, 2024

Heated arguments at the Supreme Court in newest abortion case

At issue is a clash between federal and state law about how pregnant women must be treated in the emergency room.

WEKU · Apr 24, 2024

West Virginia adds four banks to restricted institution list over ESG policies

West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore (R) announced April 8 that four large banks and financial services firms—Citigroup, TD Bank, HSBC, and The Northern Trust Company—were ineligible to do business with the state under a 2022 state law prohibiting contracts with businesses that boycott fossil fuel companies. The announcement came after…

Ballotpedia · Apr 12, 2024

Dave Boliek (R) and Jack Clark (R) are running in the Republican primary runoff for North Carolina State Auditor

Dave Boliek (R) and Jack Clark (R) are running in the Republican primary runoff for North Carolina State Auditor on May 14, 2024. Clark and Boliek were the top two finishers in the March 5 Republican primary with 23.2% and 22.1% of the vote, respectively. State law permitted Boliek to…

Ballotpedia · Apr 1, 2024

Georgia lawmakers approve private water utility bypassing county to serve homes near Hyundai plant

Georgia lawmakers have agreed to change a state law so that a private utility can provide water service to homes near Hyundai's upcoming electric vehicle plant without permission from local governments

The Independent UK · Mar 28, 2024

Texas education fund pulls $8.5 billion from BlackRock

The Texas Permanent School Fund (TPSF) on March 19, 2024, pulled roughly $8.5 billion from BlackRock’s asset management. Texas State Board of Education Chairman Aaron Kinsey (R) argued that since BlackRock supported environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing through its boycott of the fossil fuel industry, state law prohibited…

Ballotpedia · Mar 28, 2024

Montgomery County directs citizen board to review, and potentially remove, library books

The county north of Houston adopted the guidelines amid a growing number of book bans in school districts and a new state law that supporters claim protects children from inappropriate material.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 27, 2024

Arizona County Again Defies State Protections for Self-Defense Rights

Tucson and Pima County have a history of passing restrictions that conflict with state law.

Reason · Mar 22, 2024

Pregnant Arizona lawmaker shares fight to get abortion, highlighting ‘cruel’ laws

Eva Burch, who gave 10-minute speech on state senate floor, may be first pregnant state lawmaker to detail plans since fall of Roe

The Guardian - US · Mar 20, 2024