State Policy News
Oklahoma
Bill to Eliminate Mandatory Markup on Retail Goods Passes House
Minnesota
House passes transportation finance bill with increased road funding, transit cuts
Indiana
Here’s what died – and got dropped in – during the final hours of the Indiana legislative session
Multistate Trends
States Continue to Introduce Legislation Aimed at Restricting Noncompete Agreements
FOCUS on Financial Services Policy:
Cash is Dead, Long Live Cash
by FOCUS, a Leonine Business
Cash isn’t dead yet. States and Congress are moving to protect your right to pay in cash. See how legislation is reshaping the future of payments and how FOCUS is tracking the issue.
FOCUS on Alcohol Policy:
Blood Alcohol Content Limit Changes
by FOCUS, a Leonine Business
The 21st amendment gave states the right to regulate alcohol. Recent pushes to lower the allowable blood alcohol content limit for operating a motor vehicle have been increasingly common. As of April 30, 2025, FOCUS is tracking at least 50 bills in 23 states, with four states enacting laws, 17 considering new legislation and one seeing a measure fail.
FOCUS on Privacy Policy:
Data Privacy at the Border: Checking Your Phones and Devices
by FOCUS, a Leonine Business
Data privacy at U.S. borders is increasingly under scrutiny as travelers face warrantless searches of electronic devices, raising concerns about Fourth Amendment rights and prompting international travel advisories. This recent FOCUS blog discusses the federal legislative response to this new border obstacle.
States in Session
Thirty-one states are currently in regular session. The District of Columbia Council and U.S. Congress are also in session.
Florida is in recess until the week of May 12.
The following states adjourned their 2025 legislative sessions on the dates provided: Indiana (April 24), Washington (April 27) and Hawaii (May 2).
The following states are scheduled to adjourn their 2025 legislative sessions on the dates provided: Montana (May 5), Colorado (May 7), South Carolina (May 8), North Dakota (May 9), Missouri (May 16) and Minnesota (May 19).
Maine began a special session on March 25 to finish up work on legislation following its adjournment on March 21. According to Yahoo News, Democrats moved to adjourn the regular session to speed up the timeline for the budget to take effect. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills then called the special session to allow legislators the ability to pass bills that have been carried over from the regular session.
West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey had until April 30 at act on legislation or it became law without signature.
Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Braun has until May 8 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has until May 14 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Washington Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson has until May 20 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore has until May 27 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Hawaii Democratic Gov. Josh Green has until July 9 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has 20 days from presentment, Sundays excluded, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has 10 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has 10 days from presentment, Sundays excluded, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has 14 days from presentment to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee has 10 days from presentment, Sundays excluded, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature.
Interim Committees/Prefiles
The following states are currently holding 2025 interim committee hearings and posting interim studies: Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.
Special Elections
Iowa held a special election for House District 78 on April 29. According to the Des Moines Register, Democrat Angelina Ramirez defeated Republican Bernie Hayes with 79 percent of the vote. Ramirez is the first Latina elected to the state legislature. Despite her victory, Republicans maintain a supermajority in the House.
Minnesota held a special election for Senate District 6 on April 29. According to the Brainerd Dispatch, Republican Keri Heintzeman defeated Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Denise Slipy with 60.27 percent of the vote.
The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on the dates provided: Massachusetts House 6th Essex District and Oklahoma Senate District 8 (May 13) and New York Senate District 22 (May 20).
FOCUS: Your Trusted Partner in Advocacy & Compliance
At FOCUS, we provide best-in-class legislative and regulatory tracking services to keep you informed and ahead of the curve. Our full-service solutions deliver comprehensive, real-time coverage of policy developments across all states, D.C., Congress, local jurisdictions and key state and federal agencies. We offer databases filtered-for-accuracy, customized alerts, expert-written analysis, and an intuitive dashboard. Our team is dedicated to equipping you with the tools and actionable intelligence needed to navigate legislative and regulatory developments with confidence and clarity.
