The Latest Breaking News from State Law

A boat from Cuba arrived in the Florida Keys, breaking a lull

MIAMI — Migrant landings, a daily occurrence in the Florida Keys only a few months ago, have dwindled recently because of an increase in federal and state law enforcement patrolling the waters surrounding the island chain.

Miami Herald · May 18, 2023

With clock ticking on legislative session, Texas Democrats delay debate on university tenure bill

The Senate wants to eliminate tenure altogether while the House seeks to enshrine it in state law. The two chambers have until May 26 to come to an agreement.

The Texas Tribune · May 18, 2023

Why a drug decriminalization crisis looms for Washington state lawmakers

Lawmakers in the state of Washington are going into special session hoping to avert a crisis over the decriminalization of drugs

The Independent UK · May 16, 2023

As fentanyl deaths surge, some state lawmakers push back against 'harm reduction'

The Biden administration is embracing health care efforts designed to reduce the deadly impact of fentanyl addiction, but many state legislatures are resisting the "harm reduction" approach.

WEKU · May 4, 2023

Downstate Danville backs abortion pills ban, defying legal risks

The city council bans shipping and mailing of abortion pills in a vote Tuesday in defiance of state law protecting the procedure. Abortion advocates are mulling a challenge.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 3, 2023

Utah judge delays implementing statewide abortion clinic ban

A Utah judge has ruled that the state law banning abortion clinics cannot take effect on Wednesday as scheduled amid a lawsuit filed by the state’s largest abortion provider

The Independent UK · May 2, 2023

"State Regulation of Online Behavior: The Dormant Commerce Clause and Geolocation"

Jack Goldsmith's and my article with this title is now out in the Texas Law Review, as is David Post's response (many thanks for writing that, David!). Many of our readers are already familiar with it from when I serialized it here several months ago; but here's the Introduction: Many…

Reason · Apr 27, 2023

Florida GOP set to remove hurdle to DeSantis White House bid

Florida Republicans are poised to change state law to allow GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis to run for president without having to leave office

The Independent UK · Apr 25, 2023

New rule threatening Missouri library funding over ‘obscene’ kids books is approved

Despite strong opposition, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s new rule governing libraries will go into effect later this spring, threatening public libraries’ state funding over providing minors with books deemed pornographic or obscene.

Tribune News Service · Apr 17, 2023

Gov. Jared Polis signs 3 bills into law expanding Colorado’s protections for abortion, transgender care

As surrounding states continue restricting access to abortions and gender-affirming care, Colorado has now made additional protections and coverage state law.

The Denver Post · Apr 15, 2023