Policy

A bill that would add a black box warning to social media home screens moved forward in the California Legislature Tuesday, after emotional testimony from witnesses and Assembly members.

The state Department of Environmental Protection will grant “enforcement discretion” to automakers that are unable to meet zero-emission vehicles requirements in the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation for 2025 and 2026 models.

A new Communications and Technology Committee in the House will play a part in reviewing most artificial intelligence-related proposals. Legislators have set a series of policy hearings in which to hear from AI leaders.

Markets around the world have been reactive to recent U.S. tariff announcements and rollbacks. State officials are concerned trade friction with other nations could lead to equipment shortages and contract turbulence.

Newly passed state legislation designed to usher a wave of data centers into West Virginia by nixing local checks on such projects has drawn impassioned responses from some residents of the state.

The measure’s lead sponsor removed it from consideration before a vote. The 12-member City Council unanimously sent the proposed ban on using algorithms to set residential rents back to committee.

Plus, new federal broadband legislation has been introduced, North Carolina has launched a new grant program, an apprenticeship program has been created in Ohio, and more.

House Bill 120 would triple school district funding from $50 to $150 per student for Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools, or P-TECHs, through which students can earn 60 college credits during high school.

Texas would establish a new state cybersecurity agency to fend off attacks on sensitive public systems and private data under legislation approved Tuesday in the Texas House.

The young company, part of a recent gov tech accelerator, helps cities and other local governments make laws via digital tools. Now comes a new database for local ordinances that could pave the way for other services.

The state’s budget for fiscal year 2026 includes a new 3 percent taxation on information technology and data services. Officials said it aims to fill tax structure gaps as the market sees a shift from products to services.

During a recent visit to St. Vrain Valley Schools, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced a Blueprint for Advancing K-12 Quantum Information Technology, with recommendations for lawmakers, educators and district leaders.

The bill, which would have allowed traffic enforcement cameras in areas prone to crashes, was heard in the Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure in March, but it failed to get out of the committee.

Lawmakers in several states are considering bills that would give residents more control over their data. A measure under consideration in Texas would formally recognize global privacy controls.

A bill introduced to the House of Representatives this week would ban cellphones from school classrooms, with exceptions for students with disabilities or other needs, such as lack of English language proficiency.

Plus, North Carolina announces broadband funding, Barriers to Broadband fellows will tackle several research projects, a campaign eyes device upcycling to drive online access, and more.

The proposed legislation would stand up a Division of Accountability, Value and Efficiency within the state auditor’s office. It would enable the use of artificial intelligence to review agencies’ performance and staffing levels.

A bill under consideration by the state Legislature would require operators of companion chatbot platforms to remind users periodically that the virtual characters are not human, and address other safety concerns.