This Week in the States

Also meeting: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO, GUAM, NORTH MARIANA ISLANDS and UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS. 

STATE AND LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS 

CALIFORNIA

On April 6, the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee will meet to discuss SB 1050, which requires advertisers to clearly tell viewers whenever a person shown in an advertisement is computer-generated or digitally created (a “synthetic performer”), ensuring consumers know they are not seeing a real human in the ad. 

Contact: Seth Johnson 

MARYLAND

On April 2, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will meet to discuss HB 405, which prevents condominium and homeowners association rules from unreasonably blocking their governing boards from installing or approving electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment in shared or limited-use parking areas.

Contact: Maxwell Klein

On April 2, the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee will meet to discuss HB 969, which requires the owner or possessor of a weight and measure used for the retail sale of electricity as a vehicle fuel to display certain information conspicuously.

Contact: Maxwell Klein

PENNSYLVANIA

On March 30, the Philadelphia Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless will consider amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Landlord and Tenant,” to modify the requirements related to good cause for ending a tenancy, add protections against retaliation and harassment for tenants and tenant organizations, specify tenants’ rights related to the implied warranty of habitability and provide a legal presumption related to breaches of the implied warranty of habitability, create a tenant right to organize, specify deadlines for asserting claims, and establish and enhance enforcement mechanisms, remedies, damages, and protections, all under certain terms and conditions.

Contact: Stephanie Rojo

On March 31, the Philadelphia Committee of the Whole will consider amending the following:

• Title 19 of the City Code, entitled “Finance, Taxes and Collections,” to add a new Chapter 19-4800, entitled “Retail Delivery Tax,” to establish a tax on orders for the delivery in Philadelphia of retail consumer and other tangible goods.
• Chapter 19-1800 of the City Code, entitled “School Tax Authorization,” to add a new Section 19-1808, entitled “Authorization of Rideshare Use Tax,” to authorize the Board of the School District of Philadelphia to levy a tax upon the use by a passenger of a transportation network company for a prearranged ride that originates in the city.
• Chapter 19-2400 of the City Code, entitled “Hotel Room Rental Tax,” by providing for an additional excise tax on hotel room rentals. 

 Contact: Stephanie Rojo

RHODE ISLAND

On March 31, the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee will meet to discuss HB 7621, which exempts products containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS used as durable items that the United States Food and Drug Administration authorizes for food contact from the Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024.

Contact: Stephanie Obieroma

On March 31, the Senate Commerce Committee will meet to discuss SB 2646, which prohibits covered insurers from underwriting new fossil fuel projects and requires them to begin unwinding from existing projects.

Contact: Matthew Wallack

TENNESSEE

On March 31, the House State and Local Government Committee will meet to discuss HB 2476, which requires persons who administer retirement programs established by local governmental entities to invest, reinvest, manage, and select investment options solely in the financial interest of the program's beneficiaries and prohibits the use of environmental, social, and governance interests.

Contact: Matthew Wallack

TEXAS

On March 30, the Houston Joint Council Committee on Economic Development and Housing and Affordability will discuss the Apartment Inspection Ordinance.

Contact: Stephanie Rojo