Recognizing Judea and Samaria (SB1106)
The bill requires Florida agencies to stop using the term “West Bank” in official materials and use “Judea and Samaria” instead. It covers press releases guidance, and other documents, and blocks spending on materials with the banned term. Agency heads can waive the rule if it serves the state’s interests and must notify lawmakers within 30 days. The change signals Florida’s stance on a foreign region and will alter wording in public communications.
2026
Florida
Public Employees Relations Commission (HB995)
Updates public-sector labor rules. Unions must use a clear sign-up form, allow members to quit anytime, and share audited finances. Most agencies can't deduct dues from paychecks; public safety is exempt. Unions must renew yearly and seek recertification under tougher election rules. Employers must give equal access during union drives. Limits taxpayer-paid union time. Speeds dispute timelines. Greatly increases fines for illegal strikes. Legislative pay raises trigger fast talks.
2026
Florida
Paid family and medical leave insurance program (HB1207)
100
Virginia would create a paid family and medical leave program. Starting in 2029, workers could get up to 12 weeks of pay at about 80% of wages to care for a new child, a sick relative, their own illness, military needs, or to seek safety from abuse. Jobs and health coverage are protected, and retaliation is banned. It would be funded by payroll contributions from workers and employers. Self-employed individuals can choose to opt in. Employers can use private plans if the benefits are at least equivalent. Employers must notify employees of the program. Workers can appeal and sue if they are denied benefits.
2026
Virginia
Minimum wage increases incrementally to 15 dollars per hour by January 1 2028 (SB1)
100
This bill makes official the adjusted state hourly minimum wage of $12.77 per hour that went into effect January 1, 2026. It enacts increases to the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour effective January 1, 2027, and to $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2028. From 2029, it adjusts yearly with inflation, reflecting increases in the consumer price index, and never drops. Employers must pay the higher of state or federal rates.
2026
Virginia
Increase penalties for leasing property used for prostitution (SB705)
Raises penalties for knowingly renting or allowing property to be used for prostitution. Fines go up; third offenses can bring up to 5 years in prison. A severe related crime now carries up to 20 years and $100,000. Treats 16–17-year-olds as minors, shifting toward protection and services, not prosecution. First-time adults on probation must complete a human trafficking awareness program. Also boosts penalties for properties used for gambling. Takes effect in 90 days.
2026
Michigan
Ban certain substances in school meals for student health and safety (HB4369)
Starting July 1, 2028, all Michigan public and private schools must stop providing or selling foods with certain additives, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, and dyes: Red 40, Yellow 6, Green 3, Blue 1 and Blue 2. Schools will need to change menus and vending items.
2026
Michigan
Property tax exemption for senior citizens' primary residences (SB292)
This bill would stop property taxes on the primary homes of residents age 70 and older starting with 2026 tax bills. Seniors must own and live in the home and file a claim with their local assessor. The break continues as long as they stay in the home. The state intends to repay cities and counties for lost revenue. Impact: lowers housing costs for seniors on fixed incomes, helping them stay in their homes, while shifting costs to the state budget.
2026
Michigan
Restriction of student access to certain restrooms and changing areas based on biological sex (HB4024)
This bill requires schools to restrict multi-user restrooms, locker rooms, and showers by biological sex listed on a student’s original birth certificate. Schools must create and enforce rules. Transgender students could not use multi-user facilities that match their gender identity. Exceptions include cleaning, repairs, medical help, or assisting a student.
2026
Michigan
Requiring Reporting of Patient Immigration Status in Hospitals (HB2689)
Requires hospitals that take state payments to ask patients to mark if they are U.S. citizens, lawfully present, not lawfully present, or decline. Forms must say answers won’t affect care or be sent to immigration. Hospitals send quarterly totals, without names, to the health department. Each year the state reports counts and unpaid-care costs for undocumented patients and effects on services and funding. Aims to guide policy; may deter some from seeking care.
2026
Arizona
Ivermectin Over The Counter Drug (HB2007)
This bill lets people in Arizona buy Ivermectin for human use as an over-the-counter drug, without a prescription or talking to a health professional. Pharmacies could sell it like other nonprescription medicine.
2026
Arizona
Presidential Electors Amendments (HB92)
This bill changes how Utah awards presidential electoral votes. Instead of winner-take-all, one elector goes to the winner in each Congressional district, and two go to the statewide winner. Parties and unaffiliated candidates must pick district and statewide electors, name alternates, and notify the lieutenant governor of vacancies. It also sets uniform deadlines for listing presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Expect more local campaigning and possible split results.
2026
Utah
Trump Derangement Syndrome Research Report (SB1070)
Arizona would require the Health Department to study "Trump Derangement Syndrome," defined as strong reactions to Donald Trump, and deliver a report within a year. The research would examine when it began, its mental health and social impacts, what drives it (like media and polarization), and ways to reduce harm. The department must work with mental health experts and universities. Results could guide future programs and policies. The law sunsets after 2027.
2026
Arizona
Clergy Priests Duty To Report (HB2039)
This bill makes clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. They must alert police or child safety if they suspect abuse is happening, will continue, or could endanger other kids. Private confessions stay confidential only if the abuse is not ongoing or a future threat. Courts may question clergy in such cases. The goal is faster protection for children, but it limits religious confidentiality. Failure to report can bring criminal charges.
2026
Arizona
Signature Verification Revisions (HB27)
Requires officials to post on the lieutenant governor’s website the name, precinct, and date for anyone who signs a candidate petition for 90 days, even if the voter’s record is private. Officials must email signers and explain how to remove a signature within three business days. Petition forms must include this notice. Candidates who gather signatures must submit them at least 21 days before party conventions. This boosts transparency but may raise privacy concerns.
2026
Utah
Authorizing counties to implement an additional sales and use tax to support schools, if approved by voters (SB66)
This bill lets any county or city ask voters to approve up to a 1% local sales and use tax dedicated to building and renovating public schools. Food and essential hygiene items are exempt. Shoppers would pay slightly more at checkout. Funds go to a designated education account and may cover new projects or school construction debt, including in towns with separate school districts. The tax ends when bonds are paid or within 20 years, and any extension requires another referendum.
2026
Virginia
Requiring large-scale electricity users to obtain a certification of operation (HB155)
Large power users (over 25 megawatts), like data centers or crypto mines, must get state approval before operating. Officials will check that projects won’t raise electric bills, hurt grid reliability, or slow clean energy goals. Reviews must weigh health, environmental, and local grid impacts, and stop unfair cost shifts to other customers. Projects can win easier approval if they use clean energy, batteries, or cut peak use. The bill adds more transparency and planning.
2026
Virginia
Establishing a timeline and process for increasing the average teacher salary (HB279)
Sets a plan to raise Virginia’s average teacher pay to at least the national average by June 2029. The Governor must propose pay supplements and the state must fund them. Half the raise will come in 2028 and the rest in 2029. Targeted pay rates use standard national data and inflation information. Local school systems are expected to match state raises. This should help hire and keep teachers, but will require more state and local funding.
2026
Virginia
Modernizing conservation district elections and requiring financial disclosures (HB2499)
HB 2499 aims to modernize conservation district governance in Washington by allowing districts to opt into standard election procedures, extending conservation district supervisor terms from three to four years, requiring financial disclosures for supervisors, and removing outdated eligibility requirements tied to land ownership or farming.
2026
Washington
Searchable, electronic database for election campaign finance disclosure reports (HB44)
Creates an online, searchable database of campaign finance reports run by the State Board of Elections. People can look up donors, spending, loans, and late or incomplete filings and other violations. Data can be sorted and downloaded by candidate, election, office, and committee. This increases transparency and helps voters, media, and watchdogs hold campaigns accountable. Takes effect July 1, 2027.
2026
Virginia
Improving access and removing barriers to voting in jails and state hospitals (HB1146)
The bill makes voting easier for people in jails and state hospitals. Counties, jails, and hospitals must name voting coordinators and adopt plans by 2026 to help residents register, prove residency, get nonpartisan info, and vote privately, with disability access. Ballots must be available at least 8 days before elections. Outreach is allowed 30 days before. Mail is treated as legal mail. Complaints are tracked and reported. Starting 2030, the attorney general can enforce with fines.
2026
Washington
Election Integrity (HB991)
24
This bill would tighten Florida’s voting rules by requiring voter registration applicants to confirm they have read instructions and are U.S. citizens, with citizenship verified through DMV records. Those unconfirmed become “unverified voters” and cannot vote until providing proof like a passport or birth certificate; provisional ballots may be cast but only count if proof is submitted promptly. The state will regularly recheck voter records and share data with courts and the DMV. All voting must use paper ballots, with audits for accuracy and manual reviews in close contests. The bill also bans foreign donations, increases penalties for election violations, sets a five-year statute of limitations for election fraud, and requires licenses and ID cards to display citizenship status.
2026
Florida
Protecting the integrity of the state initiative and referendum process by requiring a demonstration of support before issuance of a ballot title (SB5973)
This bill strengthens enforcement of Washington’s existing ban on paying initiative signature gatherers based on volume, a practice already illegal under state law. It requires sponsors to collect 1,000 voter signatures before receiving a ballot title to show basic public support and allows citizen enforcement with civil penalties up to $10,000. The bill aims to reduce fraudulent signatures, repeated filings meant to reach a favorable judge, and ballot title manipulation by testing multiple titles to see which voters prefer.
2026
Washington
Concerning protection of the voter registration database (SB5892)
40
Protects the voter registration database and election systems. More election security records, ballot images, and cast vote records are kept confidential. Voter signatures phone numbers, emails, and key ID numbers are protected. All requests for statewide voter data must go through the Secretary of State, not counties. Misusing or wrongly sharing database info can be a felony. Some breach details can still be released. Takes effect immediately.
2026
Washington
Prohibitions and penalties related to plastic firearms, receivers, and unserialized firearms (HB40)
100
Virginia would ban making, selling, or owning plastic or undetectable guns a felony to curb ghost guns. It also requires serial numbers on all guns and unfinished frames/receivers; having or transferring items without a serial number becomes a crime (first offense a misdemeanor, later offenses a felony). Licensed dealers can add serial numbers and must keep records. Exemptions cover police, licensed makers, antiques, travelers. Rules start Jan 1, 2027; possession ban Jul 1, 2027.
2026
Virginia
Local option for ranked choice voting in city and town elections (S531)
0
This bill lets cities and towns in Massachusetts choose ranked choice voting for local races, including multi-seat contests. Voters rank candidates; ballots are counted in rounds until winners are picked. If adopted, local preliminaries end, and towns must run voter education. Local rules will cover counting, ties, errors, and write-ins. Adoption can be by ballot, ordinance, or charter, and towns can switch back after 4 years. Expect broader support for winners and fewer spoilers.
2026
Massachusetts
Create prison diversion program for controlled substance possession (HB5453)
Creates a pre-charge diversion program for people caught with or using drugs. Prosecutors, police, and community groups can team up to send people to treatment and supervision instead of court. A case system tracks each case. If someone finishes the program, they won't be prosecuted for simple possession or use. Likely effects: fewer criminal records, less court and jail strain, more access to treatment, and better public health and safety.
2026
Michigan
Preserving access to preventive services by clarifying state authority and definitions (SB5967)
This bill keeps preventive care affordable in Washington. The health department can issue vaccine guidance. Most health plans must cover state‑recommended vaccines and proven screenings with no in‑network copays; if no in‑network provider exists, out‑of‑network must be covered. It updates funding so insurers and administrators help pay for children’s vaccines. HSA plans may use minimal cost sharing. No one is required to get vaccinated. The bill takes effect immediately.
2026
Washington
Modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers (SB5845)
100
Requires health insurers to pay or deny clean claims within 30 days. If a claim is incomplete, they must, within 14 days, say why or request needed info, then decide within 30 days after it’s supplied. Late payments accrue interest (higher after 60 days) and can trigger fines after 90 days. Insurers are responsible for vendors. Exceptions apply for fraud and disasters. This speeds provider payments, reduces billing delays for patients, and adds transparency. Starts in 2027.
2026
Washington
Requiring coroners to be appointed rather than elected (SB6101)
This bill makes all county coroners appointed instead of elected. Current elected coroners may finish their terms, then counties must appoint. Counties over 250,000 people may appoint a medical examiner. Coroners and staff must complete forensic training within 12 months or the county risks reduced state reimbursement. Counties may share services. The change aims to cut costs, remove politics from the role, and improve professionalism and accountability. Takes effect immediately.
2026
Washington
Elections Early Voting Tabulation (HB2001)
HB 2001 lets counties tabulate early ballots on-site during early voting and on Election Day, speeding results. Voters may drop early ballots at voting sites only until 7 p.m. Friday; after that, return to the elections office by 7 p.m. Election Day or bring the sealed ballot to a site for on-site tabulation with ID. In-person early voting runs through Monday. The bill adds extra machine testing, chain-of-custody rules, and more voting locations, aiming to improve access and trust.
2026
Arizona