For the Week of May 4, 2026
View our legislative session calendar here.
- In session or committee meetings: Blue
- Upcoming or in special session: Red
- Adjourned or in recess: Grey
Also meeting: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO, GUAM, NORTH MARIANA ISLANDS and UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.
STATE AND LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
ALASKA
On May 5, the Senate State Affairs Committee will meet to discuss HB 25, which prohibits restaurants from giving prepared food in polystyrene foam disposable food service ware.
Contact: Sophie Russinoff
CALIFORNIA
On May 5, the Santa Ana City Council will consider an ordinance to regulate self-service checkout stations in drug and food retail stores. The proposed ordinance would establish staffing and operational standards for self-checkout areas to reduce retail theft, ease employee workloads, preserve access to staffed checkout lanes, and ensure that customers who need assistance, such as seniors and people with disabilities, can still use traditional checkout services. Key elements of the proposal include minimum staffing ratios for self-checkout monitoring, continued availability of staffed checkout lanes, public notification requirements, and enforcement mechanisms for noncompliance.
Contact: Stephanie Rojo
On May 6, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will meet to discuss AB 1609, which prohibits a large private business from representing artificial intelligence, automated customer service systems, or customer service chatbots as human.
Contact: Seth Johnson
LOUISIANA
On May 5, the House Appropriations Committee will meet to discuss HB 1184, which prohibits a public entity from entering into public contracts to obtain or use artificial intelligence, software, or products from vendors that are headquartered in or controlled by foreign countries of concern.
Contact: Matthew Wallack
NEW JERSEY
On May 6, the Jersey City Municipal Council will consider an ordinance amending Chapter 218 (Multiple Dwellings) of the Municipal Code to require disclosure, transparency, and accountability in Ratio-Utility-Billing-Systems. The Council will also consider an ordinance amending Chapter 260 (Rent Control) of the Municipal Code to regulate Ratio Utility Billing Systems in Rent-Controlled Dwellings.
Contact: Stephanie Rojo
On May 5, the Newark City Council will consider rent-control-related ordinance amendments:
- The first ordinance would amend and supplement a rent control ordinance adopted on September 18, 2024. It would make various corrections and additions to Title XIX, Chapter 2 of Newark’s rent control regulations, including provisions related to the Rent Control Board.
- A second ordinance would amend Municipal Code Title XIX, Chapter 19:3 on rent control and legal services in eviction proceedings. Its specific change is to revise the definition of “income-eligible individual.”
Contact: Stephanie Rojo
NEW YORK
On May 5, the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee will meet to discuss SB 1464, which establishes the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.
Contact: Stephanie Obieroma
TEXAS
On May 5, the Houston City Council will consider an ordinance relating to Multi-Family Rental Buildings and establishing a High-Risk Apartment Inspection Program.
Contact: Stephanie Rojo
