State and Federal Relations
Data privacy emerges as a ‘core American value,’ expert says
As the federal government continues its fight to access state’s sensitive data on residents, a new report underscores Americans’ support for stronger data privacy guardrails and protections.
Louisiana scraps some, but not all, AI proposals after Trump threats
Six state legislators confirmed that they are shelving a total of seven bills related to AI. Two others said they weren’t sure whether they would continue to move their proposals forward.
Trump signs executive order setting rules for mail-in voting and eligibility lists
The president has long disputed the mail-in voting process since his 2020 election run. The order is very likely to face legal challenges.
House committee approves FirstNet reauthorization
The effort will now move to the House floor ahead of the February deadline to reauthorize the public safety communications network’s authority for another decade.
GOP policy leads highlight child safety as key step in national AI legislation
Legislators are still working through options for what that legislation will look like, including the possibility of reviving the proposed moratorium on state AI regulations.
Efforts to meet HR 1 Medicaid rules can also ‘build for the future’
Strategies to implement major changes to state Medicaid systems today could also help states better field future updates, experts explained during a recent webinar.
Former FEMA administrator reflects on tumultuous time for ‘people-first’ agency
Deanne Criswell, who led the agency under former President Joe Biden, said critics who want to shift responsibility to states and localities use a “lazy way” to characterize its mission.
As Trump demands voter data, this fiercely independent Red State says no
Wary of federal intrusion, Idaho passed a law three decades ago allowing it to sidestep so-called motor-voter laws. The exemption and the sentiment behind it are fueling resistance to President Donald Trump’s Justice Department.
White House releases regulatory vision for AI
The framework includes seven AI policy recommendations for Congress, including a call to preempt what it terms "cumbersome" state AI laws.
New ‘quirks’ could make states’ privacy laws impossible to follow, experts worry
Speakers during a recent webinar repeated their calls for Congress to pass a national standard, and warned that new approaches in several states could complicate matters further.
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Trump’s anti-fraud task force poised to scrutinize benefits programs
The new White House task force will withhold government funding for state and local benefits programs if their anti-fraud controls are viewed as lacking.
Governments’ website accessibility deadline is fast approaching
It’s still unclear how the federal government will enforce the rule for larger jurisdictions under the Americans with Disabilities Act, while small jurisdictions have another year to comply.
Inside the first 90 days: The state playbook for modern rural health transformation
COMMENTARY | The Rural Health Transformation Program will require states to completely rethink how they deliver services. Here are four moves they can make right now for long-term viability.
In bid for voter data, Trump’s DOJ lays groundwork to undermine confidence in midterms
The US Department of Justice says state rolls are needed to ensure fairness of elections.
The role of state broadband policy in 2026
State legislatures address federal funding, deployment and affordability.
Experts warn of coming ‘reprioritization’ for cyber funding
A popular federal grant program looks unlikely to be replenished, they said, so states must start thinking differently about how they want to fund their cybersecurity efforts.
Feds pledge beefed up information-sharing amid new cyber strategy
Administration officials also promised a stronger focus on protecting critical infrastructure and bolstering the cyber workforce during a series of talks at a summit this week.
Kalshi and Polymarket are skirting laws on sports betting, states say
States feud with companies, feds over authority to regulate emerging prediction markets.
Michigan House committee hears proposal to restrict state drone purchases
The bill would ban state dollars being used to purchase drones from companies listed as concerns by the federal government, and give agencies a five-year replacement window.
New report and toolkit offers states strategies to streamline HR 1 implementation
A nonprofit recently released guidance for states as they implement changes to their Medicaid eligibility and enrollment systems to comply with new work requirements.
