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September 11, 2025

This Week in

FOCUS

Legislative developments and policy trends from across the states to keep you ahead of the curve.
 
   

States in Session

   

Current Legislative Landscape


In Session

Six states, Puerto Rico and U.S. Congress are currently in regular session. Missouri and Oregon are in Special Session.


In Recess

  • District of Columbia Council (until September 17).
  • Ohio (until September 23).


Upcoming Adjournments

California is scheduled to adjourn its 2025 legislative session on September 12.


Reconvening Dates

North Carolina passed an adjournment resolution that called for the regular session to recess and then reconvene monthly through November. The legislature is next scheduled to convene on September 23.
   

We are closely monitoring all legislative session activity to provide you with the most up-to-date information. (Got an on-the-ground tip on sessions? Email us!)

   

Special Sessions


Oregon began a special session on August 29. The special session will focus on road funding after the legislature failed to come to an agreement on a major road funding bill before the end of the legislative session. Lawmakers hope to pass a transportation funding package that will avert laying off state employees and help counties pay for road repairs. [Oregon Public Broadcasting]


Missouri began a special session on September 3 to address congressional redistricting. The special session aims to turn a Democratic district into another Republican congressional seat. The session will also include a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it harder to pass ballot measures, with the proposal requiring a majority of votes statewide and a majority of votes in each congressional district.[St. Louis Public Radio]


Texas adjourned its second special session on September 4 after passing several pieces of legislation. Lawmakers used the special session to approve many GOP priority bills, including new congressional maps that maximize Republican representation and bills that target transgender bathroom use and abortion bill manufacturing. Legislators also passed bills meant to improve the state’s flood infrastructure and disaster response following the deadly floods in the state. [The Texas Tribune]
   

Governor Signing Deadlines

Variable Deadlines (from presentment and become law without signature unless otherwise specified):

  • Alaska (Dunleavy) - 20 days (Sundays excluded)
  • Delaware (Meyer) - 10 days (Sundays excluded)
  • Illinois (Pritzker) - 60 days
  • Michigan (Whitmer) - 14 days (or pocket vetoed)
  • New Hampshire (Ayotte) - 5 days (Sundays excluded)
  • New York (Hochul) - 10 days (Sundays excluded)
  • Tennessee (Lee) - 10 days (Sundays excluded)

Interim Activity


Interim committees and study postings are underway in:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

2026 Prefiling


Alabama, Florida, *New Hampshire and Tennessee are currently posting prefiles for the 2026 legislative session.

* New addition since last week's newsletter.

Special Elections


Florida held a special election for House District 40 and Senate District 15 on September 2. In House District 40, Democrat RaShon Young defeated Republican Tuan Le with 74.9 percent of the vote. In Senate District 15, Democrat LaVon Bracy Davis defeated Republican Willie Montague with 72.6 percent of the vote. [WESH]

Upcoming
The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on the dates provided:
  • Oklahoma House District 97 (September 9)
  • Minnesota House District 34B (September 16)
  • Georgia Senate District 21 (September 23)
   
 
   

On September 10, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered the 2025 State of the European Union address to Parliament. In it, she called for a “new Europe” built on unity, independence, and resilience -- pushing the EU to take charge of defence, technology, energy, and democracy while standing with Ukraine. She also highlighted competitiveness, social justice, climate resilience, and global leadership as priorities for the years ahead.


TAG UK & EU member Inline Policy notes that other key initiatives covered included:

  • Qualitative Military Edge
  • Single Market Roadmap to 2028
  • "Made-in-Europe" for public procurement
  • AI Cloud and Development Act
  • Battery Boost package
  • Industrial Accelerator Act
  • Quality Jobs Act
  • European Grids Package
  • European Affordable Housing plan, with initiative on short-term rentals 
  • Small New Affordable Cars initiative (European E-car)
  • Buy European food campaign
 
   

State Policy News

Arizona

Crypto in your 401(k)? Lawmakers are looking to make it happen [Arizona Capitol Times]

Texas

Texas suburbs resist new state law allowing more apartments [The Texas Trubune]

Missouri

Missouri House advances bill to make it harder for voters to amend state constitution [Missouri Independent]

Wisconsin

Assembly GOP education package includes state standards for local student discipline [WisPolitics]
   
 
   

State lawmakers and Congress are cracking down on hidden fees, bots, and sky-high resale prices in the live event ticketing industry -- an issue pushed into the spotlight after the frenzy around Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. So far, 29 states, D.C., 

and Congress have introduced 119 bills, with nine already enacted. Read more to see how Iowa, Maine, Oregon and other states are stepping in to oversee ticket sales.

   
   
 
   

FOCUS on Energy & Envorinmental Policy:
   

Solar panel recycling is gaining traction in state legislatures. Nevada and Minnesota have enacted laws, while six other states considered measures in 2025. FOCUS is tracking how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) expands to cover solar equipment nationwide.

   
   
 
   

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