04/30/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2024 15:06
Bills on Workforce:
California A.B.1870 had its first reading in the Second Chamber on April 25, 2024. The bill mandates updates to workers' compensation notices to include information on consulting a licensed attorney about workers' compensation rights.
Bills on Catalytic Converters:
Illinois H.B.4589, referred to Senate committee on April 24, 2024, aims to prevent the repeal of the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Act and includes "catalytic converter" in the definition of "essential parts".
Rhode Island S.B.2440 was introduced to prohibit insurance companies from refusing to use aftermarket parts aged 48 to 72 months, with the vehicle owner's consent, for repairs. This act would take effect upon passage.
Bills on Right to Repair and Equipment:
Colorado HB24-1121 passed the Senate on April 24, 2024. This legislation expands right-to-repair laws to include digital electronic equipment with specific exemptions.
Bills on PFAS and Chemicals:
Colorado SB24-081 was sent to the governor on April 23, 2024. The bill repeals exemptions allowing the use of PFAS-containing class B firefighting foam by certain facilities from 2025.
California A.B.2686 was referred to Assembly committee on April 23, 2024. The bill imposes a discounted hazardous waste generation and handling fee for specific project types until January 1, 2026.
Pennsylvania H.B.2238 was filed on April 25, 2024, to amend Title 12 (Commerce and Trade), imposing restrictions on the use of PFAS chemicals in certain products and assigning enforcement responsibilities to the Department of Environmental Protection.
Twenty-seven state legislatures are in regular session.
The Missouri state House has approved legislation asking voters to make the state constitution more difficult to amend. If the Senate approves and voters sign off, future amendments would be required to win a majority in at least five of the state's eight congressional districts.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) has vetoed sixteen bills this year, one shy of the all-time record she set in 2023. She's likely to break her record before the end of session.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has signed legislation preventing companies that voluntarily recognize unions from accessing state tax credits for mega-projects like new auto plants. Businesses would only be eligible for incentives if they require secret-ballot union elections.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) is set to sign a bill expanding right-to-repair legislation to include consumer devices and business computing, following Oregon's footsteps with a ban on parts pairing, effective January 1, 2026.
Washington has launched a $45 million EV Instant Rebates Program to make electric vehicles more affordable for low-income residents, with new and used EVs eligible for up to $9,000 in rebates, starting August this year.
As North Carolinaspends $960,000 daily on energy for state buildings, Governor Roy Cooper's (D) administration faces challenges in meeting climate goals with only eight months left in his term, struggling to reduce energy consumption per square foot by the targeted 40%.
California is moving forward with legislation to install passive intelligent speed assistance systems in new vehicles, which would warn drivers when exceeding speed limits by 10 mph, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities.