Latest Politics Headlines
All the headlines from our Politics Topic Page, ordered by recency.
GOP Opposes Weakening Liability Shield for Police Officers
Jun 3 2021 // The Senate’s top Republican on Tuesday linked Democrats’ efforts to make it easier to sue police officers to problems many law enforcement agencies are having recruiting and retaining personnel, drawing a hard...
Louisiana Senate Rejects Limits on Police Officer Immunity
Jun 2 2021 // A proposal to place new limits on police officers’ broad immunity from civil lawsuits has rejected by Louisiana state senators, stalling a key recommendation from a task force created to suggest policy changes...
Debate Over Liability Holds Up Self-Driving Car Legislation in Senate
May 24 2021 // A debate over who to blame — or sue — when a self-driven car hits someone is holding up legislation the industry says it needs to advance. “If another driver hits you, it’s clear who the driver...
Texas Senate Passes Commercial Auto Tort Reform Bill
May 21 2021 // A bill that proponents say will help control abusive lawsuits against commercial motor vehicle operators following accidents has passed the Texas Senate. House Bill 19 would have a big impact on the commercial auto...
Louisiana Private Flood Insurance Bill Returned to House from Senate
May 20 2021 // A Louisiana bill that would make it easier for private flood insurance carriers to offer flood insurance in the state has been sent back to the House to contemplate amendments added by the Senate. House Bill 577, by Rep....
Texas Commercial Vehicle Crash Liability Bill Advances in Senate
May 18 2021 // People affected by crashes causing bodily injury or death involving commercial motor vehicles would find it harder to win damages from companies under a bill that was approved by the Texas House and is making its way...
Democrat State Rep. Wilson to Run for Georgia Insurance Commissioner
Apr 30 2021 // A Democratic state House member announced on Wednesday that he’s running for Georgia insurance commissioner, aiming to defeat appointed Republican incumbent John King. Rep. Matthew Wilson of Brookhaven said he will...
Florida Senate Passes Property Insurance Reform Bill
Apr 9 2021 // A bill backed by the Florida insurance industry and other stakeholders aimed at addressing the state’s insurance market woes was passed in the Senate chamber this week but faces an uncertain future as the companion...
Indiana Senate OKs Bill Making Pregnant Worker Accommodations Optional
Apr 9 2021 // Indiana legislators gave final approval to a bill that won’t require businesses to make accommodations for pregnant workers, despite an appeal from Gov. Eric Holcomb for a law requiring more protections. The proposal...
South Carolina Senate Passes Bill to Ticket Slow Drivers in Left Lane
Apr 1 2021 // The South Carolina Senate has passed a bill to fine people who don’t get over from the left lane of a three-lane highway when overtaken by traffic. The version passed last week by the Senate fines drivers $25 but...
Bill to Legalize Recreational Pot Dies in North Dakota Senate
Mar 29 2021 // North Dakota’s Republican-led Senate has killed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Only 10 of the chamber’s 47 senators voted for the measure. The bill passed the GOP-led House last...
Maryland Senate Passes Measure to Fight Climate Change
Mar 16 2021 // The Maryland Senate voted Friday for a package of steps to fight climate change by planting 5 million trees over 10 years, increasing energy efficient buildings and committing to more electric state vehicle use. The...
Florida Senate Weighs Legal Immunity Against COVID Lawsuits
Mar 16 2021 // A measure that would shield businesses from COVID-related lawsuits could make it before the Florida Senate later this week, providing another key test for a measure that supporters assert will protect against frivolous...
Lawmakers Reviewing Alabama Medical Marijuana Legislation Passed by Senate
Mar 12 2021 // The Alabama House of Representatives began a lengthy review of medical marijuana legislation on Wednesday, requiring the bill to go through two committees before it can secure a vote by the full House. The Alabama Senate...
South Dakota Senate Pushes Permissive Medical Pot Law, Defying Governor
Mar 12 2021 // South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s push to scale back a voter-approved measure to legalize medical marijuana was left clinging to life on March 10 after Republican senators defied her. The issue of implementing a...
Kentucky Senate Backs COVID Liability Shield for Businesses
Mar 3 2021 // Legislation that would provide broad protections to shield Kentucky businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits won approval from the state Senate after a long debate Monday evening. Senate President Robert Stivers...
Colorado Senate Endorses Easing Civil Action Limits for Child Abuse Suits
Mar 3 2021 // Colorado’s Senate tentatively endorsed a bill this week to eliminate a six-year statute of limitations for victims of child sexual assault to pursue civil action against perpetrators, an effort lawmakers have...
Democratic House Chairs Urge N95 Mask Requirement for Meatpacking Plant Workers
Mar 2 2021 // Key Democratic House Committee chairs asked the Biden administration to require N95 air filtration masks to protect against the spread of Covid-19 at meatpacking plants, prisons and other risky workplaces. The letter sent...
South Carolina Senate Passes COVID Liability Protection Bill
Mar 1 2021 // A bill that would prevent lawsuits against businesses and other groups by people who contract COVID-19 as long as federal and state health guidelines were being followed passed the South Carolina Senate on Thursday. The...
House Votes to Extend Civil, Labor Rights to LGBTQ Americans; Fate in Senate Uncertain
Mar 1 2021 // The Democratic-led House passed a bill Thursday that would enshrine LGBTQ protections in the nation’s labor and civil rights laws, a top priority of President Joe Biden, though the legislation faces an uphill battle...
