Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
California’s Governor Proposes Wildfire Fund, Seeks PG&E Fix
Apr 14 2019 // California Gov. Gavin Newsom gave legislators just three months to address a multibillion-dollar wildfire liability problem that has forced the state’s largest power company, PG&E Corp., into bankruptcy and...
SoftBank’s Maneuvers Reflect Expanded U.S. Scrutiny of Foreign Investors
Apr 12 2019 // SoftBank Group Corp. has agreed to give up board seats and access to sensitive information, take a more passive role in startups and make other concessions to get government clearance for its technology deals in the United...
Why Europe Should Not Force Talking Cars to Speak Same Language Now: Viewpoint
Apr 12 2019 // If you’ve bought a new car lately, chances are it has some basic communication skills. One day, cities and highways could be full of self-driving vehicles, all talking directly with each other to coordinate traffic...
Assignment of Benefits Reform Moves Forward as Florida House Passes Measure
Apr 12 2019 // Assignment of benefits reform legislation progressed in the Florida legislature yesterday. Lawmakers passed House Bill 7065, one of two key pieces of insurance industry-supported legislation – the other being its...
How Real Are ‘Ethical Artificial Intelligence’ Efforts by Tech Giants?
Apr 11 2019 // The biggest tech companies want the public to know that they’re taking special care to ensure that their use of artificial intelligence to sift through mountains of data, analyze faces or build virtual assistants...
French Court Rules Bayer’s Monsanto Weedkiller Liable for Farmer’s Health Problems
Apr 11 2019 // A French appeals court ruled on Thursday that Bayer’s Monsanto business was liable for the health problems of a farmer who had inhaled a weedkiller product. The ruling in favor of farmer Paul Francois was announced...
Massachusetts Bill Aims to Strengthen Natural Gas Pipeline Safety
Apr 10 2019 // Members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation unveiled a bill Monday aimed at strengthening pipeline safety in the U.S. in response to September’s natural gas explosions and fires in the Merrimack...
Judge Says Security Company Not Liable in Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub Shooting
Apr 10 2019 // A judge has ruled that the security company that provided firearms training to the man who killed 49 people in an Orlando nightclub can’t be blamed for the attack. Circuit Judge Donald Hafele wrote in a March 15...
Insurers Oppose Premium Tax to Fund Washington’s Wildfire Prevention
Apr 9 2019 // Lobbyists for the property/casualty insurance industry are trying to prevent a $125 million jump in the state of Washington’s insurance premium tax that would fund wildfire prevention and suppression. The tax would...
Meeting Between Regulators, Employees Helped Set Stage for Wells Fargo CEO Exit
Apr 9 2019 // The day after former Wells Fargo & Co. Chief Executive Tim Sloan told U.S. lawmakers he was transforming the bank’s high-pressure culture, Federal Reserve officials met privately with bank employees. At the...
UK Joins Global Backlash Against Tech Firms that Fail to Control Harmful Content
Apr 9 2019 // The U.K. joined a growing global backlash against technology companies such as Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc., proposing fines and bans if social-media platforms fail to curb illegal activity. The government outlined plans...
Why Has Texas Decided to Break Tradition and Immediately Sue Industrial Polluters?
Apr 9 2019 // Late last month as crews worked to contain a roaring fire at a Houston-area petrochemical storage facility, the state of Texas did something unheard of, at least in recent memory: It sued the company that operates the site...
Florida Legislature Considers Reforms to Non-Admitted Insurance Market
Apr 9 2019 // Two bills seeking to change the way Florida surplus lines business is handled are currently working their way through the Florida State Legislature and advocates say the potential laws could bring much needed efficiency to...
Judge Rejects Lawsuit from Florida Sheriff Fired After High School Shooting
Apr 9 2019 // A judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Florida sheriff whom Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended after accusing him of failing to prevent the Parkland school shooting. Broward Circuit Judge David Haimes ruled that...
Judge Orders Vermont’s Hermitage Club Owner to Pay Member $2.1M
Apr 8 2019 // A judge has ordered the owner of a foreclosed ski club in Vermont to pay about $2.1 million to a club member who is unable to sell back 20 memberships he bought in 2015. The Brattleboro Reformer reports the judge issued...
Arkansas Judge Refuses to Dismiss Claims Against Opioid Drug Makers
Apr 7 2019 // An Arkansas judge has rejected a request to dismiss the state’s lawsuit against three drugmakers that alleges they made false marketing claims about the benefits and risks of opioids, contributing to an increase in...
Kansas Lawmakers OK Bill Allowing Farm Bureau Non-ACA Compliant Health Plan
Apr 7 2019 // Republican lawmakers in Kansas pressed ahead with allowing the state Farm Bureau to offer health coverage to members that doesn’t satisfy the Affordable Care Act, a state-level effort to circumvent an Obama-era law...
Chemical Plant Fires Renew Safety Debate in Oil-Friendly Texas
Apr 7 2019 // Two major chemical plant fires near Houston just 17 days apart closed schools, leaked toxic chemicals into coastal waters and killed a worker, but there’s a good chance they won’t lead to big industry...
Oklahoma Lawmakers not so Happy About Purdue Pharma Settlement
Apr 7 2019 // A $270 million settlement between the state of Oklahoma and the maker of OxyContin praised last week as an innovative way to help combat opioid addiction is facing bipartisan criticism from Oklahoma lawmakers who say the...
Missouri Proposal Would Limit Local Tax Breaks for Flood Zone Development
Apr 7 2019 // With floodwaters again inundating parts of Missouri, the state Senate has backed legislation that could limit local tax breaks offered for new developments in flood plains. A bill given initial approval would prohibit new...
