California passes sweeping law to protect online privacy
The new law grants consumers the right to know what information companies are collecting about them, why they are collecting that data and with whom they are sharing it.
States & provinces
Massachusetts governor to sign bill on $15 minimum wage
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) will sign a bill on Thursday to gradually increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2023.
Hawaii bans use of toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos
Hawaii governor David Ige signed a bill banning the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to increased risk of learning disabilities, lower IQs, developmental delays, and behavior problems in children.
Hawaii passes law to make the state carbon neutral by 2045
The plan is the most ambitious emissions reduction and renewable energy plan of any state in the country.
Australian state of Queensland approves $1bn wind farm
The Queensland government has approved the country’s largest windfarm, a $1bn project to build almost 200 turbines in the shadow of the Bowen basin’s coalmines.
California approves $738 million transportation electrification initiative
“What we’re seeing is one of the largest and most well-thought-out approaches to advancing electrification of vehicles,” says Adrian Martinez, an attorney for Earthjustice.
Rhode Island becomes latest state to pass new gun laws after Parkland
The governor has signed a bill to ban bump stocks and another to implement a “red flag” law.
Vermont passes gender-neutral bathroom bill
Vermont lawmakers have passed a bill that will require all single-user bathrooms in public buildings or places of public accommodation to be marked as gender-neutral.
Maryland becomes 11th state to ban ‘gay conversion therapy’ for minors
Maryland Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan, a Republican, signed the Youth Mental Health Protection Act into law on Tuesday, making the state the 11th to ban gay conversion therapy for minors.
California becomes first state to order solar on new homes
Most new units built after Jan. 1, 2020, will be required to include solar systems as part of the standards adopted by the California Energy Commission.