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Category Archives: Legislation

Legislative Responses for Policing-State Bill Tracking Database

“The National Conference of State Legislatures provides you with up-to-date, real-time information on law enforcement legislation that has been introduced in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The database contains policing bills and executive orders introduced as of May 25, 2020, that are in response to recent events. You can search legislation for by… Continue Reading

Conducting Research on Federal Real Property: A Guide to Selected Resources

CRS report via LC – Conducting Research on Federal Real Property: A Guide to Selected Resources, June 22, 2020: “This report is designed to introduce congressional staff to selected sources published by the General Services Administration (GSA) that may be useful in conducting research on federal real property—land, buildings, and structures owned, operated, or leased… Continue Reading

Center for American Women and Politics Launches Public Database of Women Elected Officials

Rutgers Egaleton Institute of Politics: “The CAWP Women Elected Officials Database represents the most complete collection of information anywhere in the world about women elected officials in the United States [please see the FAQ for all the details]. The database includes full historical listings for women who have held office at the congressional, statewide elected… Continue Reading

Supreme Court Rules Title VII Bars Discrimination AgainstGay and Transgender Employees: Potential Implications

CRS report via LC – Supreme Court Rules Title VII Bars Discrimination Against Gay and Transgender Employees: Potential Implications, June 17 2020: “On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court issued a decision in a series of cases brought by gay and transgender workers alleging that their employers violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act… Continue Reading

Top Challenges Facing Federal Agencies: COVID-19 Emergency Relief and Response Efforts

Top Challenges Facing Federal Agencies: COVID-19 Emergency Relief and Response Efforts As reported by Offices of Inspector General across government – June 17, 2020. “…Each year, OIGs identify and report on the top management and performance challenges facing their agencies. CIGIE also issues an annual report that includes a list of the top challenges faced… Continue Reading

Study – Americans don’t trust content decisions made by social media giants

CNET: “Most Americans don’t trust social media companies to police the content on their platforms, according to a poll published Tuesday from Gallup and the Knight Foundation. The poll found that 80% of Americans don’t trust big tech companies to make the right decisions about what content appears on their sites and what should be… Continue Reading

The Internet’s most important—and misunderstood—law, explained

Ars Technica – Section 230 is the legal foundation of social media, and it’s under attack.”…To understand Section 230, you have to understand how the law worked before Congress enacted it in 1996. At the time, the market for consumer online services was dominated by three companies: Prodigy, CompuServe, and AOL. Along with access to… Continue Reading

Larger Businesses and COVID-19 – Financial Relief and Assistance Resources

CRS report via LC: Larger Businesses and COVID-19: Financial Relief and Assistance Resources Updated June 11, 2020: “This CRS Insight presents selected resources and CRS products potentially relevant to medium and large businesses directly affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic seeking economic relief and assistance. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)… Continue Reading

Policing the Police: Qualified Immunity and Considerations for Congress

CRS report via LC – Policing the Police: Qualified Immunity and Considerations for Congress, June 10, 2020: “In the wake of unrest arising from George Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020,after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck, broader questions have arisen with regard to how existing law regulates the conduct of… Continue Reading

Trump trashes 50-year-old environmental law, blames coronavirus

grist – “With the nation’s eyes on ongoing protests for racial justice (not to mention a seemingly endless public health crisis), last week President Trump signed an executive order that would waive key requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The landmark 1970 law requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of proposed… Continue Reading

Voter Registration: Recent Developments and Issues for Congress

CRS report via LC: Voter Registration: Recent Developments and Issues for Congress. June 10, 2020: “…The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) expanded registration opportunities by creating a federal mail-based registration form and requiring states to provide voter registration opportunities alongside services provided by departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) and at other agencies. NVRA… Continue Reading