Hot issues in other state legislatures this month

There are some very big and controversial issues being considered this month across the country. 32 states have already adjourned in 2007, and we're up to 142,893 bills filed nationwide so far this year.

Business
Connecticut: The Senate and House have approved a measure that would require all cigarettes sold to be self-extinguishing;

Colorado: Gov. Bill Ritter (D) vetoed SB 84, which would have required the state to maintain a database of all persons registering as interior designers, allowing only those in the database to use the term “registered interior designer;"

Delaware: The Senate approved legislation which grants state insurance regulators the power to oversee health insurance rates. The measure moves to the House;

Maine: The Senate approved a bill that limits the fees mortgage lenders may
charge as well as bans the practice of “flipping” loans - when a lender convinces a
borrower to refinance without any benefit to the consumer. It goes to Gov. John Baldacci (D);

Oregon: The Senate approved HB 2871, legislation that would cap interest rates on all consumer loans under $50,000 at 30 percentage points above the federal reserve discount rate. It returns to the House for review of a minor amendment.

Crime & Punishment
Connecticut: House approved legislation that would require gun owners to report their lost or stolen weapons to police within 72 hours;

California: Prison officials in that state began allowing overnight conjugal visits for gay and lesbian inmates with registered domestic partners. California is one of only six that allow any kind of conjugal visit and the only state to allow them for same sex partners;

Missouri: The 8th Circuit ruled that that state's lethal injection death penalty procedure is not unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment;

Education
Oklahoma: Gov. Brad Henry (D) signed legislation that requires public schools to provide financial literacy instruction to students in grades 7 through 12. Coursework will cover topics like balancing a checkbook, credit card debt and retirement planning. It goes into effect for the 2008-2009 school year;

Louisiana: The House approved HB969, which would bar teachers, coaches and other school personnel from having sexual relationships with their students under age 19;

Oregon: The House approved a bill that would allow schoolchildren to possess and use medications for emergency relief of asthma and severe allergies. It returns to the Senate for review of amendments;

Environment
Oregon: Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) signed legislation that requires large utilities to generate 25 percent of the Oregon's electricity from renewable resources such as wind, sunlight and biomass by 2025;

Health & Science
California: Senate and Assembly each pass measures that would, among other things, require employers to spend 7.5 percent of their payroll on health care or pay into a state fund that would provide comprehensive coverage. Each proposal — SB 48 and AB 48 — moves to the other chamber for review;

Vermont: Gov. Jim Douglas (R) allows legislation that will increase the number of people able to utilize the state’s medical marijuana statute to become law without his signature. The measure broadens the law to include people with chronic, debilitating conditions;

Rhode Island: Gov. Don Carcieri (R) vetoed legislation that would have made permanent the Ocean State’s law allowing seriously ill people to use marijuana. The measure was due to expire this year under a sunset clause. Lawmakers say they will seek an override;

Oklahoma: Gov. Brad Henry (D) signed a bill that increases Medicaid eligibility for children from 185 percent of the federal poverty level to 300 percent. That change is expected to add 42,000 additional children to the state health plan;

Immigration
Colorado: Gov. Bill Ritter (D) vetoed a bill that would have broadened the number and type of documents Centennial State driver’s license applicants could have used as identification for the state DMV. Critics of the measure contend it would have made it easier for illegal immigrants to obtain a license;

Social Policy
Michigan: The 6th Circuit upholds a lower court ruling that declared a Michigan statute banning partial birth abortion unconstitutional. The ruling said the law was overbroad so as to ban virtually all abortions in that state;

New Hampshire: The Senate approved a proposal to repeal a law requiring parental notification for teenagers to get abortions. The measure moves to Gov. John Lynch (D), who says he will sign it;

California: The Senate approved a bill to expand the domestic partnership law to include adult heterosexual couples. The Assembly (House) passed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriages. It goes to the Senate.

Miscellaneous
California: The Assembly (House) passed egislation that would bar the state from investing in companies involved with the defense or nuclear sector in Iran or companies developing Iranian petroleum resources that already are subject to federal sanctions. It moves to the Senate. The Cal. Assembly also passed a bill that would require dog and cat owners to spay or neuter their pets or face a $500 fine. It heads to the Senate (nod to Bob Barker?). Also in California, the Senate passed a bill that would place an advisory measure on next February’s ballot calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.