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NCSL Updates
Navigate the Administration’s Executive Actions With Ease
Stay informed on the latest developments with NCSL’s new executive action tracker.
What to Know About Trump’s Order to Close the Education Department
NCSL discusses the history of the department, including an FAQ on the role of the federal government in education policy; how the order could be implemented; and its impact on states. Read more
NCSL Supports Reauthorization of FirstNet
NCSL, along with other members of the Big 7 national organizations representing state and local governments, sent a joint letter to Congress urging the permanent reauthorization of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). The letter emphasizes FirstNet’s critical role in providing reliable, nationwide broadband communications to over 27,000 public safety agencies and 6 million first responder subscribers. It highlights the network’s origin following the communication breakdowns of Sept. 11, 2001, its significant federal investment in rural broadband expansion, and its consistent support during emergencies. In the letter, the organizations express support for bipartisan legislation (H.R. 3366) introduced by Reps. Lizzie Fletcher and Brian Fitzpatrick to eliminate FirstNet’s 2027 sunset date and ensure continued connectivity for first responders across the country. Read more
Administration Updates
Opioid Public Health Emergency Declaration Extended
Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. renewed the public health emergency declaration for the opioid crisis that was first issued in 2017. The renewal extends certain flexibilities related to substance use disorder treatment and research, according to a statement released by the Department of Health and Human Services. Despite significant declines in overdose fatalities, drug overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Provisional CDC data suggests a 24% decline in drug overdose deaths across the country—87,000 deaths for the year ending in September 2024 compared with 114,000 deaths the year before. Though nearly all states—45—showed declines, five states still experienced increases in overdose deaths. In a CDC press release, the agency identified the widespread availability of naloxone, increased access to treatment, changes in the illegal drug supply and investments in prevention as contributing factors to the nationwide drop in deaths.
A state-by-state breakdown may be found in Table 1 of the CDC’s provisional data.
WOTUS Rule Under Review
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have announced in a press release that they will be undertaking a new review of the definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS). This review will also be accompanied by a rulemaking process to update the 2023 WOTUS definition. The definition determines whether a permit is needed under the Clean Water Act before certain projects can begin. A previous definition of WOTUS was narrowed by the Supreme Court in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, and this new review and rulemaking process seeks to ensure compliance with that ruling.