Capitol Ideas is a periodic listing of story ideas and background information from new NCSL research. For more information, contact NCSL's Press Team.

State Legislatures magazine

NCSL’s May issue of State Legislatures magazine is now available. Stories this month cover: nuclear waste, electric cars, online colleges, federal health care reform grants, scholarship tax credits, plastic bugs, hunting and fishing license and computer viruses. Read May's issue of State Legislatures online today.

Bedbugs are back!

With the resurgence of bedbug infestations, even state lawmakers are having to deal with the pests. NCSL has an up-to-date database tracking the legislation being debated in statehouses to attack this problem throughout the country.

Unauthorized student tuition bill passes in Maryland and considered elsewhere

In 2011 legislative sessions, lawmakers in at least nine states (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oregon, and Rhode Island) have introduced 14 bills that would allow illegal immigrant students to receive in-state tuition rates. Bills in Colorado and Mississippi bills have failed. The governor signed Maryland's Senate Bill 167 this week. Click here an NCSL’s overview on the issue.

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.