BillTrack50: Beyond the Bill Number

Sarah and Stephen discuss two controversial bills aiming to establish programs to empower private bounty hunters to track and detail undocumented migrants. What are the implications for state-level immigration enforcement? Read the full blog post here . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the two special sessions called in Florida before their main session has even begun. How does the legislature’s TRUMP Act compare to Gov. DeSantis’s rival plan? Read the full blog post here. Thanks for reading Stephen’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...

Sarah and Stephen discuss a bill which seeks to address concerns that lawmakers might be using privileged knowledge for their own profit. Should legislators be banned from trading in stocks entirely? Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss (and chortle at) Mississippi State Senator Bradford Blackmon ’s new bill - The "Contraception Begins at Erection Act" (SB2319) . Should men’s reproductive practices be regulated in the same way as women’s? Is this our podcast episode with the most uses of the word ‘discharge’? Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...

Sarah and Stephen discuss the current state of the legislature in Minnesota, where both chambers are split equally between Democrats and Republicans and legal challenges fly thick and fast. Bonus content: yodelling. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the 131 federal bills analyzed by IssueVoter in 2024. Did they pass? How impactful will they be? All is revealed! Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the 118th Congress - how many bills did they pass? What were the bills? Was it a successful Congress? Listen and decide for yourself! Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

In the end of year wrap, Sarah and Stephen don their finest outfits to discuss the most popular (or infamous) state legislation of the year. Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

In a festive episode, Sarah and Stephen discuss the Credit Card Competition Act which aims to make big credit card issuers support at least 2 payment networks, in an attempt to break up the Visa Mastercard duopoly. Good for small businesses? Or unnecessary regulation that would make transactions riskier? Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

Sarah and Stephen discuss HR 8333 , known as the BIOSECURE Act. Should we be concerned about “foreign adversaries” such as China weaponizing our genome? And it this bill the right way to tackle it? Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the history of anti discrimination legislation in education settings and look at the current landscape. Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss important federal and state legislation shaping the power grid of the future, to ensure the U.S. can cope with increasing demand and the switch to renewable energy. Read the full Substack post below. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the shifts in the legal landscape since the Supreme Court ruling that returned control of abortion legislation to the states, and look at the issues and challenges that have been raised. Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the shifts in the legal landscape since the Supreme Court ruling that returned control of abortion legislation to the states, and look at the issues and challenges that have been raised. Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the "Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act" (H.R. 7909) , introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace . Do we need additional this legislation, or is it just political posturing ahead of the election? Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen take a closer look at the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act—examining who John Lewis was, why this bill was introduced, and the potential impact it could have on our electoral system. Whether you're familiar with voting rights issues or just starting to explore them, this legislation could play a crucial role in protecting access to the ballot and ensuring fair elections a...

Sarah and Stephen discuss Tennessee joint resolution 803 which designated July 2024 as a month of prayer and fasting to seek divine intervention in solving deep rooted social problems. Is it constitutional? Could it work? Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss birth certificates and what you need to do if you want to change your name, gender marker or other details. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the DISGRACED Act, which seeks to remove Secret Service protection from imprisoned felons. Given recent attempts on the life of former President Trump, what would be the effect of such a law and what are its chances of passing? Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

Sarah and Stephen discuss the rapid increase in state legislation aimed at removing certain books from school and public libraries. Is it justifiable action to protect children from obscene publications, or just censorship aimed at marginalized communities? Read the full blog post here . Let us know in comments what bills or topics you’d like us to discuss next! This is a public episode. If you wo...

Sarah dives into the world of youngsters who have monetised their popularity online through such things as collaborating with brands and creating sponsored content - kidfluencers. She explores legislation which seeks to keep them safe and make sure they aren’t exploited. Read the full blog post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access t...

Sarah and Stephen discuss H.J.Res 165 , a joint resolution seeking to disapprove of and disapply a rule for schools which redefined the term “sex-based discrimination” to include sexual harassment, parental status, or gender identity. We look at the history of Title IX regulations and this particular battle in the culture wars. Read the full blog post here . This is a public episode. If you would...

Sarah and Stephen discuss the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (KOPPA 2.0). Taken together, the bills offer sweeping solutions to bullying, predatory behavior, inappropriate content and privacy concerns on the internet and in social media. We look at what the bills want to do and whether it will actually help. This is a public episode. If you would lik...

In the latest of our continuing series looking at Project 2025, the conservative playbook for a second Trump presidency, Sarah and Stephen look at plans to reform FCC regulations governing how social media platforms operate. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billtrack50.substack.com

Sarah and Stephen discuss the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act , which would require all citizens to prove their nationality to be able to register to vote in federal elections. It is a vital safeguard to ensure the integrity of American democracy, or an attack on voting rights? Read the full Substack post here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...