Capitol to Capitol | Sept. 23, 2024

Capitol to Capitol | Sept. 23, 2024

NewsletterCapitol to Capitol

Questions?Please use the email icon at left to contact NCSL's State-Federal Affairs Division.

NCSL Update

NCSL Voices Opposition to EQUIP Act

The Ensuring Quality Investments in Preparedness (EQUIP) Act of 2024 (HR 8616) imposes a new federal mandate on states, requiring the payment of a "disaster deductible" before receiving Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief, adversely affecting the ability of states, counties and local communities to respond to disasters. Read more

Congressional Updates

Navigating the Kids Online Safety Act

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce marked up and passed the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (HR 7891). During the markup, several lawmakers noted that, while not as detailed as its Senate counterpart, the bill is a good starting point for future negotiations should it pass the full body and head to conference with the Senate bill. Although similar, the House and Senate bills differ in a few aspects. The Senate bill provides a more robust definition of the duty of care social media platforms must adhere to when pushing out content that children can access, whereas the House version places a stronger emphasis on changing the outline and design of social media platforms to protect children's safety and metal health. The House bill requires social media platforms to provide tools that restrict the collection of minors' data, disable addictive features and offer the option to opt out of algorithmic recommendations. While the bill has passed the committee, its advancement to the House floor is uncertain. The differences between the House and Senate versions will require further negotiations and alignment.

House Spending Bill Fails as Government Shutdown Looms

The fiscal year 2025 spending bill continues its odyssey as the expiration of current funding approaches on Sept. 30. When he unveiled a six-month stopgap measure on Sept. 6, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sought support from the GOP House caucus by including a mandate that states require proof of citizenship when people register to vote-a measure long sought by Republicans but heavily opposed by Democrats. However, opposition remains from the far right, which opposes any type of stopgap and seeks spending cuts. The measure, which included only a slight increase for defense spending, drew opposition from defense-minded legislators and the Pentagon, whose officials state insufficient funding would harm readiness and development of defense projects. Facing such opposition on multiple fronts, Johnson pushed the anticipated Sept. 11 vote to the following week.

The extra time for lobbying did not produce more affirmative votes, and the measure failed a Sept. 18 House floor vote 220-202, with 14 Republicans and all but three Democrats voting against it. Two Republicans voted present. Johnson has not made clear his intentions to pass a spending bill to avert a government shutdown. However, on Sept. 12, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he would move a stopgap through the that chamber as House efforts have stalled. Negotiations continue as legislators seek to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government at least past the November elections. Read more

Administration Updates

New CDC Data Shows Decline in Drug Overdose Deaths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released preliminary datashowing an unprecedented decline of 10.6% in drug overdose deaths in the U.S. As more data from states comes in, that number is likely to grow. While it's not yet clear what is driving the decline, researchers speculate that the availability of naloxone and medications for opioid use disorder, changes in the street drug supply, and the end of the pandemic may all be playing a role.

A look at some of the early-reporting states shows significant declines in overdose deaths:

• Kentucky: 34.2%
• Maine:17.3%
• North Carolina: 31%
• Vermont:15.9%

These are encouraging numbers-but much work remains in light of the 100,000-plusdeaths still occurring annually in the U.S.

Read a detailed analysisof these trends by Dr. Naburan Dasgupta,an expert on street drugs, at the University of North Carolina.

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