Good morning, it’s Thursday, May 21, 2026. In today’s edition, lawmakers seek to make scooters safer; New York, South Carolina advance redistricting plans; new polls in Maine, California governor races:
Top Stories
TRANSPORTATION: Lawmakers in more than a dozen states introduced at least 30 bills to regulate electric bikes, scooters and motorcycles that have led to an increase in injuries and deaths. A New Jersey law is the strictest in the country: It would require riders to be licensed and insured, and to register their bikes. Laws in Oregon and Utah require riders to wear helmets, while most of the new laws set a maximum speed for e-bikes. (Pluribus News)
REDISTRICTING: New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) says the legislature is considering two constitutional amendments that would change the state’s redistricting process. One would be related to when redistricting is allowed, and the other would alter the authority of the Independent Redistricting Commission. (State of Politics)
MORE: South Carolina’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance new proposed congressional district maps targeting the state’s lone Democratic-held seat in Congress. State Elections Director Conway Belangia told lawmakers holding a second set of primaries would cost the state between $5 million and $6 million. (SC Daily Gazette)
PUBLIC SAFETY: The Massachusetts House has approved legislation banning weaponized robots and limiting police use of drones to conduct surveillance on citizens with a reasonable expectation of privacy. The bill would ban the manufacture, sale, possession or use of a robotic device equipped with a weapon. (State Affairs)
SOCIAL MEDIA: The Massachusetts Senate will take up social media regulations this session, Senate President Karen Spilka (D) said. Spilka said she expected to appoint a conference committee to work out details with the state House. (State Affairs)
PUBLIC HEALTH: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has signed legislation barring the purchase of candy and sugary drinks using SNAP benefits. The bill also allows over-the-counter sales of ivermectin and limits screen time in schools. (Des Moines Register) Reynolds also signed legislation requiring a parent’s permission for minors to receive the HPV vaccine. (Des Moines Register)
MORE: The Department of Agriculture has approved Montana’s request for a waiver to ban soft drinks, junk food and candy from being purchased with SNAP benefits. Montana joins 22 other states that have won the right to enact such bans. (Daily Montanan)
HEALTHCARE: An Illinois House committee has approved legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to cap drug prices. The measure awaits a vote before the full House, but lawmakers have only 11 days remaining in the legislative session to get the bill over the line. (Chicago Tribune)
CONSUMER RIGHTS: The Illinois Senate has approved legislation to ban “junk fees” on tickets, hotels and other goods and services. The measure would make it unlawful for a business to advertise, display or offer a price that doesn’t include all mandatory fees and surcharges before taxes. (Capitol News Illinois)
In Politics & Business
MAINE: A new Pan Atlantic Research survey shows former state health director Nirav Shah (D) leading the Democratic primary with 29% of the first-choice votes, ahead of energy company owner Angus King III (D) at 24%, former Senate President Troy Jackson (D) at 12%, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) at 10% and former House Speaker Hannah Pingree (D) at 9%. (Pan Atlantic)
MORE: On the GOP side, former Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles (R) takes 36%, ahead of businessman Jonathan Bush (R) at 20% and former Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason (R) at 13%. (Pan Atlantic)
If no candidate gets a majority, Maine’s ranked-choice voting process means second-choice preferences will come into play.
CALIFORNIA: A new Evitarus poll conducted for the California Democratic Party shows conservative commentator Steve Hilton (R) leading the all-party field at 22%, followed by former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) at 21%, hedge fund manager Tom Steyer (D) at 15%, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) at 10% and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D) at 7%. (California Democratic Party)
COLORADO: The Colorado Democratic Party has censured Gov. Jared Polis (D) over his decision to commute the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters (R). The censure means Polis won’t be allowed to speak at state party events in the future. (Colorado Newsline)
By The Numbers
11.94%: The estimated return of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, up $295.4 billion over the last year. It’s the highest value the investment fund has ever achieved. (State of Politics)
1.4 cents per dollar: The amount New Mexico earned on $520 million in economic development tax breaks in 2025, according to the Legislative Finance Committee. That’s … not a great return. (Albuquerque Journal)
Off The Wall
Social media lit up last week over a Washington State bill that would ban “aimless driving.” The only problem: The bill doesn’t exist. A fake letter, purportedly from Gov. Bob Ferguson (D), made the rounds on X before a community note explained that the supposed bill was apparently satire. (Tacoma News Tribune)
Competitive eater Joey Chestnut will be allowed to defend his title at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest this year while he serves probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery charges. A state judge has allowed Chestnut to travel to Coney Island for the annual event, where he scarfed down 70 1/2 hot dogs in ten minutes last year. (Associated Press)
The Local Plant Health Board in Tancitaro, Mexico, organized more than 1,000 local growers and residents to mix up a 14,991-lb. bowl of guacamole this week, setting a new Guinness World Record. The massive bowl of guac surpassed the prior record of 10,961 lbs., set in 2022. (UPI)
Be right back, headed to the store for 1,000 bags of chips.
Quote of the Day
“I don’t know who would be stupid enough to take it on, but I will have no hand in that.”
— Alabama Sen. Greg Albritton (R), chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee, on who will chair the committee next. Albritton lost his bid for renomination in Tuesday’s elections. (Alabama Reflector)