Good morning, it’s Tuesday, June 16, 2026. In today’s edition, lawmakers address AI in healthcare; Maryland plans redistricting session; primary, runoff elections in Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and D.C. today:
Top Stories
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Lawmakers in 43 states introduced more than 240 bills addressing the use of AI in healthcare this year as they worry over discrimination, privacy and other concerns. About a dozen states have passed laws prohibiting non-humans from using professional titles. Another 11 states have enacted bills restricting the use of AI in insurance coverage decisions. (Pluribus News)
MORE: California agencies have admitted they use AI systems to make consequential decisions about residents. A year after denying any use of AI systems, the state now says it has used AI to predict whether incarcerated people will re-offend, evaluate unemployment claims, remotely administer exams for California State University students and detect when students use generative AI to write assignments. (CalMatters)
ENERGY: The Rhode Island legislature has given final sign-off to a measure requiring utility companies to study the use of thermal energy networks, neighborhood-scale systems of water-filled pipes that connect multiple buildings. The pipes allow homes to be heated or cooled at lower costs. Colorado, New York and Virginia governors signed similar bills into law this year. (Pluribus News)
REDISTRICTING: Maryland lawmakers are planning a July special session to put a redistricting amendment before voters in November. A formal announcement is coming soon from the offices of Gov. Wes Moore (D), Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D). Voters would be asked to weigh in on a proposed constitutional amendment in November. (Baltimore Sun)
CONSUMER PROTECTION: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) has issued an executive order directing state agencies to examine surprise and confusing charges in industries they regulate. The effort to tackle junk fees is part of Sherrill’s support of moving New Jersey toward an “all-in” pricing model that discloses all fees up front. (New Jersey Globe)
JUDICIARY: The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a constitutional challenge to Florida’s decades-old system of using six-person juries in most criminal trials. The court will consider an appeal from a man convicted of practicing chiropractic medicine on a suspended license. The man’s attorneys say the 6th Amendment requires 12-member juries. (State Affairs)
GAMBLING: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that slot-like “skill game” machines are illegal gambling. The court gave lawmakers four months to address the ruling. Lawmakers have introduced bills to formally legalize, regulate and tax skill games, but none have gained traction. (State Affairs)
PUBLIC SAFETY: A California Assembly committee has advanced legislation tightening regulatory requirements at fireworks facilities, a year after a warehouse in Esparto exploded. The bill would require facilities that house fireworks to have local permits and certain required safety features. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in January. (Sacramento Bee)
MARIJUANA: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has signed legislation regulating intoxicating hemp edibles, vapes and beverages. The regulations prohibit sales to anyone under 21, extend dispensary operating hours until 2 a.m. and allow all dispensaries to sell cannabis products for medical purposes. The bill increases cannabis possession limits to 1,000 milligrams of edibles and 60 grams of marijuana flower. (WBEZ)
In Politics & Business
Voters are voting! Runoff elections are happening today in Alabama and Georgia, while the District of Columbia and Oklahoma hold primary elections.
2028: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said the Justice Department has launched a politically-motivated investigation into him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. A source said two probes are underway, one related to former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson and another related to Siebel Newsom’s taxes. Newsom said the administration has contacted family friends and former employees demanding records. (State Affairs)
MICHIGAN: A new Mitchell Research & Communications poll of Republican primary voters shows U.S. Rep. John James (R) statistically tied with former Attorney General Mike Cox (R), 28%-27%, in the gubernatorial primary. Businessman Perry Johnson (R) sits third at 23%. State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R) takes 4%. (Real Clear Politics)
ARIZONA: State lawmakers have approved a November ballot initiative that would require local governments to seek permission from voters to set up and use photo enforcement systems to catch speeders and red-light runners. A handful of Democrats joined Republicans in referring the referendum to voters. (State Affairs)
SPORTS: Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach (R) says his office will assist the Big 12 Conference if it sanctions Texas Tech over quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s admitted gambling habit. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has threatened to sue the conference over antitrust claims if the Big 12 goes ahead with sanctions. It’s a rare feud between the two Republican attorneys general. (Topeka Capital-Journal)
By The Numbers
$11.6 billion: The estimated amount of political ad spending that will take place this midterm cycle, according to AdImpact. That would surpass the midterm record of $8.9 billion in spending set in 2022 and the overall record of $11.2 billion spent in 2024. (AdImpact)
$172 million: The projected budget deficit Nebraska faces, after tax receipts came in below expectations for the third month in a row. Nebraska has about $546 million in cash reserves to cover the deficit. (Nebraska Examiner)
$5 million: The value of the Hauser Residence, a gift from Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) and First Lady Susan Gianforte to the state. The 29-room mansion in Helena is intended to be used as a residence for future Montana governors. (Daily Montanan)
Off The Wall
Isabelle Roode (R) is challenging Connecticut state Rep. Dan Gaiewski (D), in what could be the youngest matchup in November’s election. Roode, 17, will turn 18 just before Election Day. Gaiewski, the youngest member of the General Assembly, is just 25. (New London Day)
Pilots landing at Los Angeles International Airport reported a potential skydiver at around 4,000 feet on Sunday. The pilots of a U.S. military transport jet reported someone in a wing suit flying past them. The incident comes six years after a video purported to show a person flying with a jetpack near the airport. (Los Angeles Times)
The Massachusetts Port Authority has broken a Guinness World Record by creating the world’s largest soccer ball. The ball, measuring 47.9 feet in diameter, has been installed at Piers Park II in East Boston to celebrate the World Cup. (UPI)
Quote of the Day
“No, no, I always like when I’m with the ugly people, because it makes the rest of us look good.”
— Massachusetts Rep. Thomas Moakley (D), caught on a hot mic at a Pride event on the State House steps on Beacon Hill. Rep. John Moran (D) had asked Moakley to stand next to him because “we need pretty boys.” (Boston Herald)