Good morning, it’s Tuesday, February 4, 2025. In today’s edition, immigration bills move in Indiana, South Dakota; Colorado lawmakers take up abortion, gun measures; tech industry sues to block Maryland law:
Top Stories
IMMIGRATION: The Indiana Senate approved legislation creating grants for law enforcement agencies seeking to participate in ICE operations. (Indianapolis Star) The South Dakota House has given final approval to legislation prohibiting governments from adopting sanctuary policies. No South Dakota jurisdictions currently have sanctuary policies on the books. (South Dakota Searchlight)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) says National Guard soldiers now have the authority to make immigration arrests and to help detain and deport undocumented people, in an agreement with the Trump administration. (Texas Tribune)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: The North Dakota House has approved new legislation imposing penalties on those found with deepfake images of child abuse. The bill would make possession of such AI-generated deepfakes a class C felony punishable by five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. (Fargo Forum)
GUN POLITICS: Alabama lawmakers and Gov. Kay Ivey (R) are backing legislation to ban so-called Glock switches that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire more quickly. A similar bill passed the House but died in the Senate last year. (Associated Press) Colorado lawmakers plan to begin debate on a bill to ban the sale or purchase of firearms that accept detachable magazines. (Denver Post)
ABORTION: Colorado lawmakers will introduce a shield bill for abortion providers who provide care to patients in other states. A second bill would add federal emergency abortion protections to state law. The Trump administration’s Project 2025 calls for ending the protections. (Denver Post) New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has signed legislation allowing doctors to remain anonymous when they prescribe abortion medication to out-of-state patients. (Albany Times Union)
CONSUMER PROTECTION: An Idaho Senate committee has approved legislation blocking banks from refusing service to customers based on religious or political views. Supporters say the bill will protect gun makers, agriculture, energy and mining industries. (Boise State Public Radio)
HEALTH CARE: The Mississippi House of Representatives has approved legislation to increase transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers. The bill would require PBMs to disclose ownership they have in pharmacy companies. (Magnolia Tribune) The Arkansas Senate approved legislation to allow nonprofit and government-funded hospitals to hold retail pharmacy licenses. (Arkansas Democrat Gazette)
GAMBLING: The Mississippi House has approved legislation to legalize mobile sports betting. The bill will allow brick-and-mortar casinos in the state to partner with two sports betting platforms. It would levy a 12% tax on sports wagers. (Mississippi Today)
SOCIAL MEDIA: The tech industry trade group NetChoice has filed suit against Maryland’s age-appropriate design code law that requires online platforms to make their products safer for kids. NetChoice is the same group that was behind the lawsuit that successfully blocked California’s first-in-the-nation design code law. (Pluribus News)
In Politics & Business
MINNESOTA: Gov. Tim Walz (D) has more than $1 million in his state campaign account ahead of a possible bid for a third term as governor. Walz has said he will decide this summer whether to run again. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
MICHIGAN: Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D) is considering a run for governor in 2026. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is term limited. (Detroit News) State Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D) is planning to enter the race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D). McMorrow’s profile soared after a viral 2022 floor speech. (Associated Press)
CALIFORNIA: The state Assembly has approved up to $50 million in funding to defend California from challenges from the Trump administration. Half the money will go to the state Department of Justice, and the other half to legal groups dedicated to defending immigrants facing possible deportation. (Associated Press)
NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Josh Stein (D) has asked lawmakers to set aside $1.07 billion to fund relief efforts after Hurricane Helene. The bill includes $150 million each for homebuilding and business grants, and $100 million to clear debris and repair waterways. (NC Newsline)
By The Numbers
94-3: The vote on an Arkansas House bill that will allow farmers to sell unpasteurized milk at farmer’s markets or via delivery. (Arkansas Democrat Gazette)
10,000: The number of Oregon employees whose salaries are higher than Gov. Tina Kotek (D). Oregon employs about 49,000 full-time workers. Kotek earns $98,600 a year, less than governors of every state except Maine, Colorado and Arizona. (Oregonian)
1,142: The number of New Hampshire children who tested positive for lead poisoning in 2023, the highest number recorded since routine testing began in 2018. More than half of New Hampshire homes contain lead paint and dust, according to state officials. (New Hampshire Union Leader)
Off The Wall
Yesterday, we told you about a milk truck crashing in Florida. Today, it’s a big rig spilling thousands of eggs across Interstate 5 in Los Angeles. The internet ran rampant with jokes about egg prices. (AFP)
What’s our alternative headline here? “Bad Break”? “Chickens Cross the Road”? We’re still workshopping.
A 30-year old Asian elephant has given birth to a health baby girl at the Oregon Zoo. Zoo officials said the baby was standing on its own just 15 minutes after birth, and that mother Rose-Tu is an excellent mom. (UPI)
Quote of the Day
“Well, the fact is, [ride-share companies have] been a disrupter in the industry and the law has not kept up. And we need to keep up.”
— Nebraska Sen. Brad von Gillern, on legislation that would designate Uber and Lyft drivers as independent contractors. (Omaha World Herald)