FOCUS, A Leonine Business
As state lawmakers prepare to gather in Chicago, Illinois for the Council of State Governments (CSG) National Conference, the Shared State Legislation (SSL) Committee is set to debate which proposals from Docket Book 46 should advance into the 2026 Shared State Legislation Volume. The SSL Committee reviews laws that have already passed in at least one state and identifies those worth considering elsewhere. While the committee does not advocate for passage, its selections highlight policy trends that are gaining national traction.
This year’s docket reflects a strong focus on technology modernization across government systems. Utah, West Virginia, New York and Mississippi have moved toward cloud first strategies, zero trust cybersecurity and tighter rules on automated decision making. Other states have added guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence, particularly in education and public benefits. These bills point to a growing recognition that digital infrastructure has become a core element of state governance.
Youth protection in the digital world is another major theme. Legislation featured in the docket include parental consent for minors on social media, age verification rules for app stores and safeguards for minors who earn income through online content creation. States appear to be responding to both safety concerns and the rapid evolution of online youth culture.
Health care and disability access are also present throughout the docket. Laws the SSL committee is reviewing for broader relevance include an overhaul of prior authorization timelines to curb delays in treatment and pain parity laws that ensure equal access to nonopioid pain treatments. Maryland created a statewide office to coordinate disability hiring efforts. Washington passed one of the nation’s strongest right to repair laws for mobility devices, addressing long repair delays that limit independence.
As the SSL Committee convenes, the discussion will offer a snapshot of how states are adapting to technological, social and economic pressures. The SSL process does not promote any specific bill, but it does show where state-level innovation is heading. The resulting volume will serve as a resource for lawmakers who are watching how their peers respond to shared challenges.
FOCUS will continue to monitor developments on Shared State Legislation.
by Anastasia Douglas 12/2/25
