NDAA and CR Update
The $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2023 passed the Senate 83-11, echoing the bipartisan support heard as the bill passed the House 350-80 earlier in December. The president is anticipated to sign the NDAA into law, making it the 62nd straight fiscal year that the measure has been enacted. For more information on what is and isn’t in the NDAA, read last week’s Capitol to Capitol.
Congress also passed a one-week continuing resolution giving lawmakers through Dec. 23 to agree on a fiscal year 2023 spending bill.
NCSL Contact: Brian Wanko (CR generally), Kristen Hildreth (NDAA-WRDA)
White House Issues Framework for AI Bill of Rights Blueprint
On Dec. 15, NCSL staff and members of the NCSL Cybersecurity Task Force and Privacy Work Group and the Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee participated in a White House call regarding the recently released federal Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and accompanying technical document. The discussion included how to define artificial intelligence, how to develop a good governance plan for its use, and how to ensure citizens are protected from algorithm discrimination and can control their personal information.
Resources
NCSL Contacts: Susan Frederick and Erlinda Doherty
Justice and Mental Health Act on Its Way to the President’s Desk
The NCSL-supported Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act would continue to provide grant funding and technical assistance to states and localities to increase access to mental health care in the criminal justice system and to connect individuals who are experiencing mental health crises and addiction to lifesaving services. More.
NCSL Contact: Lauren Kallins
Supreme Court Rejects Case Challenging California’s Flavored Tobacco Ban
The U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 12 issued an order denying an emergency request by a group of tobacco companies to block the enforcement of a California statute banning the sale of flavored tobacco products in the state. The law passed in 2020, but enforcement was put on hold while California voters responded to an industry-financed referendum in November. Voters supported the ban, which led several companies to join in petitioning the Supreme Court to block the law. Though the court has declined to stop the law from taking effect, there is still a pending appeal in the civil suit against Los Angeles County relating to the ban, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. County of Los Angeles. The Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld the ban in the case, ruling that applicable federal tobacco law does not preempt the county from banning tobacco products and that state, local and tribal governments may regulate or ban sales of tobacco products. If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case, it will determine the power of states and localities to regulate tobacco. Barring last-minute developments, the California ban will begin on Dec. 21, 2022.
NCSL Contacts: Susan Frederick and Nicole Ezeh
In Every Edition
Read the Dec. 12 Capitol to Capitol.
Capitol to Capitol will return in January 2023. Happy Holidays!
NCSL's Advocacy in Washington
NCSL’s Washington staff advocates on behalf of state legislatures before Congress, the White House and federal agencies in accord with the policy directives and resolutions that are recommended by the NCSL Standing Committees and adopted by the full conference at the annual NCSL Legislative Summit Business Meeting. As a result of the advocacy that is guided by these policies’ positions, NCSL is recognized as a formidable lobbying force in state-federal relations.
NCSL Staff in Washington, D.C.
- Molly Ramsdell | 202-624-3584 | Director
- Susan Frederick | 202-624-3566 | Law, Criminal Justice, and Public Safety
- Nicole Ezeh | 202-624-3568 | Law, Criminal Justice, and Public Safety
- Kristen Hildreth | 202-624-3597 | Natural Resources and Infrastructure
- Jon Jukuri | 202-624-8663 | Labor, Economic Development and International Trade
- Deanna Ross | 202-624-8680 | Labor, Economic Development and International Trade
- Austin Reid | 202-624-8678 | Education
- Erlinda Doherty | 202-624-8698 | Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce
- Brian Wanko | 202-624-5400 | Budget and Revenue
- Lauren Kallins | 202-624-8170 | Health and Human Services