Capitol roundup: Social media, prison funding fights
State of play: Days after a federal judge permanently blocked a 2023 law requiring social media platforms to verify new users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a pair of related bills.
SB611 seeks amendments to the law, including an updated definition of social media platforms as a messaging service or online platforms that require an internet connection. It would also apply to minors under 16, instead of 18.
SB612 would prohibit social media platforms from using algorithms that cause a user to purchase a controlled substance, develop an eating disorder, attempt suicide or develop an addiction to the social media platform. The law would also allow parents to sue the platform if their child dies of suicide if it was facilitated by content on social media.
Zoom out: The state Senate this week also twice rejected a $750 million appropriation bill to support construction of a proposed and contentious 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County.
The Senate further voted to eliminate the Arkansas State Library, which is under the Arkansas Department of Education's umbrella but operates independently, the Arkansas Advocate reported. SB536, now headed to the House, would transfer the authorities, funds, contracts and employees of the agency and its board to the state education department.
Take a look at more bills filed in the past week we're watching:
🐈⬛ HB1893 would allow private property or business owners to ban emotional support animals.
📚 SB572 and HB1919 would make learning materials like lesson plans and syllabi at public schools public record.
⛈ SB578 would allow early voting locations to close during inclement weather.
🍷 SB588 would create a private winery club permit.
🍭 HB1962 would prohibit schools from serving or selling ultra-processed food.
🥦 HB1965 would create the Arkansas Healthy Food Retail Act of 2025, tasking the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, in cooperation with public and private sector partners, to establish a program that provides funding to retailers that increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other affordable healthy food in underserved communities.
👨👩👦 HB1921 would limit the training hours required for a new foster home to 15 and six hours of annual training for existing foster homes to maintain their status.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
an hour ago
- Politico
Judge plans Wednesday ruling on Alina Habba's authority as New Jersey's top prosecutor
But the Trump administration on July 22 fired Grace, with Bondi posting on social media that the department 'does not tolerate rogue judges.' Two days later, Trump withdrew his nomination of Habba as U.S. attorney, and she resigned her position as interim U.S. attorney. She was then appointed first assistant U.S. attorney, allowing her to automatically take on the acting role. Bondi also said she made Habba 'Special Attorney to the Attorney General,' which she said gave her the authority of a U.S. attorney. The Trump administration argues that Habba began the job March 28, which started the 120-day clock, and so the judges did not have a vacancy to fill when they chose Grace to replace her. In court, Trump administration attorneys added some clarity to Habba's start date, noting that her immediate predecessor, John Giordano, had continued signing orders as interim U.S. attorney until March 28 and that Habba's first day of pay was March 29. They characterized Trump's announcement, made in a social media post, as a 'directive' to Pam Bondi to appoint Habba. Brann suggested that maneuver to keep Habba in charge of the office as special attorney would render the law on appointing U.S. attorneys 'pointless' since a person could do the job indefinitely without Senate confirmation. 'Even if you believe [the law] is ambiguous — and I don't think it is — going to the legislative history is a death knell,' Brann said, referring to a Senate report made during the passage of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act in 1998. The distinction between Habba's role as acting U.S. attorney and special attorney is important because the acting position can only serve 120 days, while there's no time limit for a special attorney. Nevertheless, later in the hearing, Brann said, 'It's very likely that Alina Habba is going to end up down the road as the United States attorney of the district of New Jersey.' He did not elaborate on his reasoning. The defendants challenging Habba's authority argued in part that her nomination by Trump made her ineligible to serve in the acting role under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. 'There is no support for a finding that withdrawal of the nomination would remove someone from the bar,' said Giraud attorney Thomas Mirigliano. But Henry Whitaker, counselor to the attorney general, said the language of the law is written in the present tense. 'At that moment,' he said, referring to the Trump administration's legal maneuvering, 'there was no pending nomination.' 'This is not circumvention,' Whitaker said. 'It is simply a way for the executive branch to have officials temporarily serving the functioning of the office.' The two sides also debated whether the Trump administration could stack 120-day interim appointments. 'It can't be the case ... that the attorney general can terminate an interim appointment on day 119 and then appoint another person?' said Gerry Krovatin, an attorney for Pina. 'That could go on forever.'
Chicago Tribune
2 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
What states are doing in the battle over congressional maps as Texas pursues plan President Donald Trump sought
A partisan move by Texas to redraw its congressional maps in the middle of the decade to secure five more GOP seats in the U.S. House set off a clamor to replicate the effort in statehouses controlled by both parties. So far, though, only California has taken steps toward redistricting. Changing congressional maps in a bid to ensure one party's victory over another — called gerrymandering — has typically been done more furtively. But President Donald Trump's call for Texas to redraw the maps to better ensure that Republicans retain control of the House in the 2026 elections has blown the lid off the practice. Here is a rundown of what states are doing. Democratic lawmakers who left Texas have scuttled a special session on redistricting but appear set to end their standoff after nearly two weeks. The Republican majority adjourned their special session Friday morning in Austin. Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called another, though there still were not enough Democrats present. The minority caucus members have said they would return to Texas provided California Democrats move forward with their own new maps. Past efforts by Democrats to abscond and deny Republicans a quorum similarly only delayed the passage of bills, but didn't quash them. Abbott has said he will keep calling new special sessions, if necessary. State Rep. Jon Rosenthal, a Democrat from Houston, told The Associated Press this week that their protest was about raising awareness. 'They may still pass these maps, but we're going to do everything we can to awaken America,' he said. In response to Texas, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that the state will move forward with redrawing congressional maps aimed at putting five more Democrats into the U.S. House. The proposed maps, which are expected to be released Friday, are an attempt to counterbalance Texas' and Trump's plan to add five Republican seats. Newsom has been outspoken about retaliating if Texas's redistricting takes effect, telling Trump this week in a letter that the president was 'playing with fire.' Unlike Texas, however, California has an independent commission that handles redistricting after the census each decade, which is typically when districts are reshaped to account for population shifts. Any changes would first need the approval of state lawmakers and voters. State lawmakers plan to officially declare a special election next week. At Trump's urging and partly in response to California's threats, Missouri's Republican majority is preparing for a special session on congressional redistricting A document obtained by The Associated Press shows the state Senate has received a $46,000 invoice for software licenses and staff training for redistricting. While Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe hasn't officially announced a special session, Republican House Majority Leader Alex Riley told the AP it is 'pretty likely' to happen. Riley added that he has had discussions with White House staff about it. Republicans hold six of Missouri's eight congressional seats. The party could target a Democratic-held district in Kansas City to pick up another seat. In justifying the redistricting, Missouri Republicans accused neighboring Illinois of rigging its maps and pointed to a draft proposal circulating in California. New York, similar to California, has an independent commission that changes the political maps only after every census. But state Democrats introduced legislation to allow mid-decade redistricting. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said that if Texas proceeds, 'we must do the same.' But the soonest new maps could be in place would be for the 2028 elections. That is because the proposal would require an amendment to the state constitution, a change that would have to pass the Legislature twice and be approved by voters. While Republicans control the Legislature, Democrats turned to the courts to try to force a redrawing of congressional district boundary lines before the 2026 midterms. Two lawsuits were filed in July after the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court — without explanation — previously declined to hear challenges directly. Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon, a Democrat, says he will sponsor legislation to trigger redistricting if Texas or any other state holds redistricting ahead of the census. Republican state House Speaker Daniel Perez said his chamber will take up redistricting this year through a special committee. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has told the public to 'stay tuned' and has reiterated his support for the state joining the redistricting fray. A law in Republican-led Ohio requires new political maps before the 2026 midterm elections. The GOP holds 10 of its 15 House seats already and could try to expand that edge. Vice President JD Vance said he spoke with Republican Gov. Mike Braun last week, as the redistricting melee intensified, but both politicians remained mum about the discussions. Braun, who would have to call a special session to draw new maps, has said he expects a 'broad conversation' with legislative leaders on the move's constitutionality and said no commitments have been made. Republicans face more limited possibilities of squeezing out another GOP seat in Indiana. Republican U.S. representatives outnumber Democrats 7-2 in the state already. Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson didn't rule out trying to redraw the state's four congressional districts, one of which is held by the state's sole Democrat House representative. The Legislature's GOP-supermajority could do so early next year, which would put the new lines in place before the June 1 candidate filing deadline.
The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
Trump seeks to sue California over clean trucking effort
The Trump administration is seeking to sue California to try to halt the state from enforcing its effort to electrify its truck fleet. The administration filed motions to join existing cases against the state over its rules seeking to reduce pollution and planet-warming emissions from trucks. The moves come after the Trump administration axed California's rules — but did so in a legally contested manner. Now, the Trump administration and truck makers are accusing the state of enforcing the now-overturned standards through its 'Clean Truck Partnership' under which truck companies agreed to follow the state's rules in exchange for some additional flexibility. The California Air Resources Board, which is in charge of the truck rules, declined to comment. At issue are California rules including the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which would require a large percentage of trucks sold in the state to be electric by 2035. In 2023, a group of truck makers agreed to meet California's standards in exchange for some concessions from the state in what became known as the Clean Truck Partnership. Under the Clean Air Act, California is required to get federal approval for its auto regulations. The Biden administration approved the state's rule. This year, however, Congress and President Trump approved a resolution using the Congressional Review Act to overturn the approval of the California rule. The move occurred despite determinations from the Senate parliamentarian and the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan congressional watchdog, which said that it was not subject to the Congressional Review Act. Now, the Trump administration is arguing in court that California has sought to enforce its rules through the Clean Truck Partnership, describing the state's effort as a 'a stunning act of defiance.' Earlier this week, Daimler Truck North America, International Motors, Paccar and Volvo Group North America sued the Trump administration to try to axe the state's rules and the partnership.
