Hot topics in other states this week

A few more states have adjourned their 2007 legislative sessions. Kentucky, New Mexico, and South Dakota have joined Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming in adjourning. Like Arkansas, several other states are projected to adjourn soon, including Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin, California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Idaho, and Mississippi. It looks like New Mexico is about to be called back into session to deal with a road project after adjourning recently -- "sine not so die" as one reporter over there put it.

Number of bills filed nationwide so far this year: 122,097

Business
Kansas: Tha Kansas Supreme Court ruled that a state law requiring workers to be paid their full wages at least once a month applies to illegal immigrants. That law also allows the Department of Labor to double the amount of money an employee collects if the employer deliberately withholds wages. The decision overrules a lower court verdict that said the statute did not cover undocumented workers;

Florida: The legislature gave final approval for the state-run Citizens Property Insurance to sell coastal residents wind-only and full-coverage policies at prices competitive with private insurers;

Iowa: Gov. Chet Culver (D) signs legislation that caps interest on loans that use a car title as collateral at 21 percent. Proponents of the new law say current interest rates on such loans often reach 300 percent;

Kentucky: Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) signs legislation requiring that all cigarettes sold be self-extinguishing. Seven other states have also passed laws mandating the fire-safe cigarettes, which go out when not being puffed on by
the user;

Georgia: The House rejected HB 163, a measure that would have legalized short-term, high-interest payday loans in the Peach State. This proposal is going the opposite direction of our failed legislation filed by Rep. David Johnson. Georgia is one of 12 states that do not allow payday lenders in the state;

Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, and Indiana: These states have approved legislation or resolutions condemning any state investments that include publicly-traded companies in Sudan due to the genocide there. Sen. Sue Madison filed SCR20 regarding this matter in our legislature;

Crime & Punishment
Texas: Gov. Rick Perry (R) signed the "stand Your ground" bill similar to that that Mike Burris filed. It overturns a law that requires residents to first retreat before using deadly force against an attacker. The measure would apply to anyone defending their home, automobile or business, and would exempt the shooter from civil liability. 15 other states have adopted similar laws over the last two years;

California: A trial court ruled that police may detain and search someone they suspect of using marijuana even if that person has a state-approved medical marijuana card. The court said the Golden State law only shields medical pot patients from legal conviction, not from being searched or arrested;

Virginia: Gov. Tim Kaine (D) vetoed SB 1116, HB 2347, HB 2348, HB 2750 and SB 1288, all of which would have expanded the Old Dominion’s use of the death penalty. Lawmakers reconvene this week to decide whether to accept or seek overrides to the vetoes. I can assure that Betsey Wright is keeping a close eye on this situation;

New Hampshire: The House killed a proposal to end use of capital punishment.

Education
Maryland: The House approved legislation that would extend in-state tuition rates to residents, regardless of their legal immigration status;

Texas: The Senate approved a bill that would require all public school employees, including janitors, bus drivers and other nonteaching personnel, to undergo a criminal background check. Anyone with a sexual offense or felony against a child would be barred from being employment in the school system;

Environment
Maryland: The House approved legislation that will ban dish soaps that contain phosphorous. Manufacturers would have until 2009 to comply;

Colorado: Gov. Bill Ritter (D) signed HB 1281, legislation that requires utilities to get 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources such as the sun, wind or biomass by 2020;

Health & Science
Maryland: The Senate approved a measure that would bar smoking inside most public buildings;

Minnesota: The Senate approved a proposal similar to Maryland's that would bar smoking in virtually all public buildings, including bars and restaurants.

Colorado: The Senate approved a proposal to extend the ban on smoking in public buildings to include gambling casinos. Also in Colorado, the House rejected a measure that would have required parental permission for teens to use tanning salons;

Immigration
Missouri: The House approved a bill that would require police to determine citizenship status for anyone arrested;

Illinois: The House approved legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain a license;

Social Policy
Mississippi: Gov. Haley Barbour (R) signed legislation that would ban all abortions not involving rape or a threat to the mother’s life. The measure will only take effect if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal statute making abortion legal;

Ohio: A trial court upheld a law that bars funeral protests during and one hour before and after a service and mandates that protesters stay at least 300 feet away from those proceedings. The court did abolish a 300-foot “floating buffer zone” for moving funeral processions;

Kansas: The House approved a bill that would require funeral protesters stay at least 150 feet away from those services one hour before, during and two hours after the ceremony;

Idaho: Gov. Butch Otter (R) signed legislation that requires all unmarried, unemancipated minor girls to get the permission of a parent, guardian or judge before having an abortion. It goes into effect immediately.;

Iowa: The Senate approved a proposal that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of categories covered under the state’s anti-discrimination law;

New Hampshire: The House rejects a proposed constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as being only between one man and one woman.

Transportation
Virginia: Gov. Tim Kaine (D) signed legislation that prohibits drivers under 18 from using cell phones or other wireless devices while behind the wheel. The law
takes effect on July 1;