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NCSL Updates
NCSL’s State-Federal Policies
NCSL’s state-federal policy page has been updated to reflect actions taken at the Legislative Summit earlier this month. These policies guide NCSL’s work in Washington, D.C., on behalf of state legislatures. Read more
Congressional Updates
Congress Moves Water Resources Development Act to Conference
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed S 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, following the House passage (359 to 13) of HR 8812 on July 22. The legislation will now enter the conference committee process. The act is a comprehensive package aimed at improving water resource infrastructure and related efforts to support communities by protecting key rivers and floodplains. It is reauthorized every two years to grant the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority over key water works projects, including flood control and ecosystem restoration. Projects supported by the act will affect all 50 states and include over 80 feasibility studies in addition to 13 new construction projects. The latest reauthorization aims to increase transparency measures across the water infrastructure projects within the scope of the Corps and address the diverse and varying water resource needs across communities.
Senate Commerce Committee Approves AI Legislation
The bills illustrate an understanding across party lines of the critical role of artificial intelligence in the nation’s future. As they progress through Congress, the bills will help to ensure that the technology is developed responsibly and ethically.
The Future of Artificial Intelligence Innovation Act
The bill (S 4178) focuses on strengthening U.S. leadership in the AI world. It would promote innovation, help maintain the competitive edge of U.S. companies in the global AI landscape and create the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute. The bill also recommends increased funding for AI research and development, support for AI startups, and initiatives to encourage collaboration between industry, academia and government. Read more
The TAKE IT DOWN Act
The Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act (S 4569) addresses the rising concern surrounding harmful content online, specifically in the context of AI-generated media. The bipartisan bill would provide a legal procedure for individuals to require the removal of AI-generated content, such as nonconsensual images, that is reasoned to be harmful, exploitative or violates personal privacy. Read more
The CREATE AI Act
The Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act of 2023 (S 2714) is a bipartisan effort to grow innovation in AI by creating research and development centers across the United States. The bill would establish the Centers for Research, Education and Advancement in Technology and Emerging AI with locations nationwide. Read more
The Artificial Intelligence Research, Innovation and Accountability Act
The bill (S 3312) would increase federal investment in AI research and innovation and promote increased collaboration between government, academia and the private sector to accelerate developments in AI technology. Read more
Progress and Challenges in the FY 2025 Appropriations Process
With the fiscal year speedily approaching its end on Sept. 30, the House and Senate have taken different paths, and the impact of the Freedom Caucus is apparent as it pushes for a continuing resolution that could extend well into the new Congress.
The House adjourned a week earlier than expected, leaving several major appropriations bills unfinished, despite GOP leadership promising to pass them all before the August recess. Before leaving, the House passed a few of the 12 annual spending bills on the floor, including defense, homeland security, and military construction and veteran affairs. However, several significant appropriations bills were left unresolved: labor, health and human services, education, transportation, housing and urban development, agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. In the Senate, the appropriations subcommittees have been marking up their corresponding bills, laying the groundwork for eventual floor debates, but none of the bills have reached the floor for a vote.
Amid the delays, the Freedom Caucus has started to exercise its influence, advocating for a continuing resolution that could extend into the next Congress. The caucus’ push for a longer-term continuing resolution reflects what its members describe as extreme spending and the request to force a potential government shutdown to achieve restricted fiscal reforms.
The fiscal year 2025 appropriations process remains ambiguous as Congress heads into the fall. As state legislatures and stakeholders watch closely, the decisions made in the coming weeks will have far-reaching consequences for fiscal policy at all levels of governance.
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Senate Tax Legislation Stalls Ahead of Recess
Senate leadership brought tax legislation to the floor for debate just hours before the chamber’s scheduled adjournment for the August recess. However, the bill did not receive a vote as a motion to close debate failed 44-48. The legislation, Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, has been stalled in the Senate since the House passed it overwhelmingly 357-70 in January. The bipartisan measure includes provisions on child tax credits, tax credit and bond-financing provisions for affordable housing, and tax measures for businesses.
The bill’s supporters are now looking ahead to the elections, whose outcome will determine the direction of federal tax legislation in 2025. Tax issues with bipartisan support, such as the child tax credit, are already receiving focus in the campaigns. Federal tax legislation in 2025 is expected to be large and comprehensive as legislators consider extending items in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that are set to expire at the end of the year as well as other proposals and reforms.
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Administration Updates
Education Department Plans for Phased FAFSA Release
The department announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid will be available to all students by Dec. 1, after two months of testing with select applicants starting on Oct. 1, which is the typical release date for the application. The department will release more details about the testing period of the phased rollout in the coming weeks and has put out a request for stakeholder feedback on the latest form. Read more
A $4.3 Billion Investment Addressing Climate Pollution Expected to Benefit 30 States
The Environmental Protection Agency announced the recipients of a $4.3 billion investment to reduce climate-related pollution. As a result of this round of funding from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, projects in 30 states will receive funding that is expected to reduce carbon dioxide by 971 million metric tons. Projects supported by the program will target six main industry sectors, including transportation, power, industry, agriculture lands, waste management, and commercial and residential buildings. Selected projects are expected to support new technologies and state-based initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the country. Read more