An NCSL news roundup of resources, tailored for state legislatures.

July 28, 2025

In today's edition: Federal cutbacks mean states will take a larger role in election security. Sign up for a Zoom webinar with NCSL CEO Tim Storey previewing the Legislative Summit.  And, check out everybody's state fish (except the three states that don't have one) on Map Monday.

As the Trump administration curtails federal election security work, states and local governments believe they will need to allocate more resources. Watch a recorded NCSL webinar about the status of federal funding and what states are doing to take on some of the work. “State of Play,” a bipartisan video series created by A Starting Point and NCSL, presents Maryland Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D) and Missouri Rep. Peggy McGaugh (R) discussing election security. Ben Hovland, commissioner, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, discussed elections cybersecurity in NCSL's Election Q&As for Lawmakers series.

► NCSL: Federal Election Security Funding: Considerations for States in a Shifting Landscape

► NCSL: State of Play | Election Security Insights From Lawmakers

► NCSL: Elections Q&As for Lawmakers: What’s Going On With Cybersecurity in Elections?

► Stateline: Local election officials worry about federal cuts to security, survey shows

Join Pluribus News and Tim Storey, CEO of NCSL, at noon ET Tuesday on Zoom, to preview NCSL’s 50th annual Legislative Summit, taking place next month in Boston. From artificial intelligence to social media, health care and education policy, NCSL’s summit will represent the largest public policy gathering in America.

► Register for the webinar

The Legislative Staff Achievement Award was established to recognize staff that have provided excellent service, exhibited a high degree of professionalism and competence, improved the effectiveness of the legislative institution and supported the legislative process and the work of their association.  

► Read about the awards

NALIT is excited to announce this year's 2025 Legislative Staff Achievement Award Winner is Jeff Breshears, Committee & Hybrid Support Team Lead at the Washington State Legislature’s IT agency (LEG-TECH). 

► Read about the winner

► Legislator Security | Minnesota Legislature to pay for enhanced home security for members in wake of lawmaker shooting attacks (WCCO)

► Pausing EV Stations | State of Idaho has paused all work on federal program developing sites for EV charging stations (Idaho Capitol Sun)

► Measles | Tribal health officials work to fill vaccination gaps as measles outbreak spreads (KFF Health News)

► Student Loan Caps | Student loan caps might worsen the national doctor shortage, critics worry (Stateline)

► Nevada Libraries | Nevada’s split government keeps status quo for libraries (Nevada Current)

► Job Losses | Federal job losses jumped to 12,700 in Maryland, most of any state    (Maryland Matters)

► SNAP Cuts | Federal SNAP cuts will cost Alabama $39 million in 2027 — and possibly more (Alabama Reflector)

NCSL does not necessarily endorse the content or views expressed in these news reports.

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Access to physical therapy helps your constituents on Medicaid survive and thrive. It also reduces costly complications, improves mobility, and supports recovery. However, access to physical therapist services is increasingly at risk due to visit limits, prior authorization, and low provider reimbursement.

► Learn more about improving access to PT services in your state.

All but three states boast at least one state fish, and some have both a freshwater and saltwater species. In Ohio, though, the battle over a state fish has been raging for decades. 

► View the map

In-Person Meetings

Aug. 3 | Election SATs: Security, Accuracy and Transparency, Boston

Aug. 4-6 | 2025 NCSL Legislative Summit, Boston

Articles from news sources curated in NCSL Today are provided for information purposes only and do not reflect the views or policies of NCSL.

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