NCSL

In states that get plenty of rainfall, like Hawaii, it takes a lot of rain to break a 24-hour record. A whopping 49.7 inches of rain to be exact, according to NOAA. Learn more about rain records in this week's #MapMonday: bit.ly/4eBAHiP

Health workforce remains a priority across state legislatures. At least 45 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico enacted more than 580 bills in 2024 addressing the shortage and maldistribution of health care professionals in a variety of ways. Read more: bit.ly/42nu65K

The recently enacted federal budget reconciliation bill is being called a “mini-farm bill” because its key agricultural policy provisions address the issues typically covered in a traditional farm bill. Read more: bit.ly/44Uon8H

Economist Christopher Thornberg says the current churn in the economy under the new administration comes on top of a strong economy that was already facing some challenges. Read more: bit.ly/4c1WuyW

In recent election cycles, questions have arisen regarding mail-in ballots, proof of citizenship for voter registration and other issues. The Constitution empowers states, not the executive, to resolve these questions. Read more: bit.ly/46w8rfe

Every 10 years, when the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the census, LUCA plays a crucial role in accounting for previously unidentified housing units. Read more about how LUCA helps states receive the maximum amount of federal funding for their communities: bit.ly/4kIdUmA

Thirty-five states and Washington, D.C., have laws specifically addressing protections for election officials and poll workers. Nineteen of these states have enacted their laws since 2020, but many others had statutes in effect before then. Read more: bit.ly/3t4a0j0

Jeff Breshears leads the Washington State Legislature’s IT hybrid support team, using technology to increase accessibility for users with visual impairments. Congrats on your National Association of Legislative Information Technology #LegislativeStaff Achievement Award, Jeff!

In this issue of #CapitoltoCapitol: States navigate new education provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, NCSL policy directives and resolutions, and more. Read more: bit.ly/4o1AeKT

There’s still time to register for the 2025 NCSL Legislative Summit! Reconnect with colleagues and leave inspired, refreshed, and ready to do good work in your home state. For more info or to register: NCSL.org/Summit #NCSLsummit

Recognizing that millions of working American families incur expenses for care services, the federal government and 26 states plus the District of Columbia offer child and dependent tax credits (CDCTCs) to help offset those costs. Read more: bit.ly/3GPrAy1

Join us in Boston for a debate on the effect of U.S. trade strategies on the states, including job creation, economic competitiveness, supply chains and state-level industries. Register now: NCSL.org/Summit #NCSLsummit

Did you know twenty-five states and four territories fill legislative vacancies through special elections, and 23 states fill them through an appointment process? Indiana, Tennessee, D.C., and Puerto Rico use a combination of both methods. Read more: bit.ly/4mK3ndc

Many states have laws that require or allow election officials or bipartisan teams of trained election workers to deliver the ballot to residents of long-term care facilities. Read more: bit.ly/46MbkbV

In May, NCSL hosted legislators and legislative staff from eight states in Denver for the 2025 New and Emerging Fiscal Risks Meeting. Attendees discussed pressing budget challenges and the tools states are using to navigate fiscal uncertainty. Read more: bit.ly/4kUQg7p

To provide independent workers with benefits traditionally associated with full-time employment, states are considering portable benefit programs, which tie benefits to the worker, rather than an employer. Read more: bit.ly/4nmIogI

In this issue of #CapitoltoCapitol: Senate advances bipartisan online safety and privacy protections for kids and teens, HHS ends access to certain programs for undocumented immigrants, and more. Read more: bit.ly/4nN6LEF

What began as a PR campaign for a youth magazine in 1892 now has evolved into a practice that varies by state, with different approaches on reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in classrooms. Read more in this week's #MapMonday: bit.ly/44yoA17

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act offers new roles and considerations for states, including scholarship tax credits, Workforce Pell Grants, student loan limits and repayment. Find out more here: bit.ly/4kPyZvA

In recent election cycles, questions have arisen regarding mail-in ballots, proof of citizenship for voter registration and other issues. The Constitution empowers states, not the executive, to resolve these questions. Read more: bit.ly/46w8rfe