Declarations

Nevada Seatbelts

“Whether folks want to or not, it’s currently a secondary law in Nevada.”

— Nevada Department of Public Safety spokesman Andrew Bennett believes seatbelts should be a primary law in the state. New data shows 331 people died in crashes in 2018 in Nevada, while fatalities caused by vehicle occupants who were not wearing seatbelts increased 23 percent over the year.

Information Disclosure

“The scale of the production that the ordinance compels each booking service to make is breathtaking.”

— U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer said regarding his decision that a New York City law forcing Airbnb and HomeAway home-sharing platforms to reveal certain information about their businesses seems unconstitutional — a decision that caused the law to be shelved for now. Under the law, companies would be required to reveal the names of hosts, among other information.

Flooding Risks

“One issue in particular that I have heard about from so many constituents who were affected by Harvey is that they were completely unaware they were at risk of flooding.”

— Texas State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, who has filed legislation that would require sellers of residential properties to notify buyers if a property is located in a flood-prone area — and whether it has previously flooded.

Medical Marijuana

“It’s coming up repeatedly, employers trying to terminate folks who either have a card, and they know it, or who test positive for marijuana.”

— Patrick Gallagher, the attorney for Jeremiah Chance, a medical marijuana user and yard equipment operator at the Kraft Heinz plant in Dover, Del., regarding a lawsuit over his 2016 firing after he failed a drug test. Chance claims his termination violated an anti-discrimination provision contained in Delaware’s Medical Marijuana Act.

Michigan Auto Coverage

“I think as we heard last year loud and clear from citizens throughout Michigan, we need to lower the cost of auto insurance.”

— Republican Sen. Aric Nesbitt of Lawton, Michigan, who has sponsored legislation that would make it optional for Michigan drivers to buy what is now mandatory unlimited medical coverage. Michigan has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation.

Toxic Algae, Red Tide

“The policies of the past administration have taken a terrible toll on our natural resources, to say nothing of the impact on our marine life. But an executive order has to have more than just lofty goals, or admirable pursuits. It has to have the details we need to judge whether these goals are doable.”

— Florida Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson in response to an order by new Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ to tackle the state’s problems with toxic algae in its rivers and red tide off the state’s coast.