States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
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S.D. Senate Passes Six More Bills From AG Jackley's Legislative Slate
PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 23 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Full Senate Approves Six of Attorney General Jackley's Legislative Bills
Six of South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley's legislative bills, ranging from government transparency to election integrity to protection from illegal drugs and the theft of personal genetic data, received final approval from the State Senate Thursday.
"These bills focus on what has always been my main objective as Attorney General - protecting South Dakota citizens and their property," said Attorney
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PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 23 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Full Senate Approves Six of Attorney General Jackley's Legislative Bills
Six of South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley's legislative bills, ranging from government transparency to election integrity to protection from illegal drugs and the theft of personal genetic data, received final approval from the State Senate Thursday.
"These bills focus on what has always been my main objective as Attorney General - protecting South Dakota citizens and their property," said AttorneyGeneral Jackley. "These are strong bills; made even stronger by the input received from legislators and stakeholders.
The bills are:
Senate Bill 17: Prohibit a candidate or political committee from accepting contributions or loans made by a foreign national, to provide a penalty therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Senate Bill 45: Revise a provision regulating delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, THC-O acetate, and hexahydrocannabinol for persons under the age of twenty-one and to provide a penalty therefor.
Senate Bill 46: Modify the requirements for open meeting agendas and provide a penalty therefor.
Senate Bill 47: Revise the requirements for executive sessions and closed meetings.
Senate Bill 48: Clarify that an official open meeting agenda must be posted online at least seventy-two hours before the scheduled start of the meeting.
Senate Bill 49: Safeguard the integrity, privacy, and security of genetic data and provide a civil penalty therefor.
Senate Bills 45 through 49 were on the consent calendar and received unanimous approval. Senate Bills 17 was approved after floor debate. All six bills were unanimously approved.
The Senate's action means eight of the 10 Attorney General's bills now have passed the Senate and are on their way to the House.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=2994
Okla. A.G. Drummond Represents Ethics Commission in Lawsuit Over Failed Campaign Finance System
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Jan. 23 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Drummond represents Ethics Commission in lawsuit over failed campaign finance system
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission, represented by Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office, has filed a lawsuit against RFD & Associates, Inc., alleging the Texas-based vendor failed to deliver a critical political finance reporting system despite repeated assurances and multiple deadline extensions, costing the state more than $800,000.
In December 2024, the Ethics Commission
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Jan. 23 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Drummond represents Ethics Commission in lawsuit over failed campaign finance system
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission, represented by Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office, has filed a lawsuit against RFD & Associates, Inc., alleging the Texas-based vendor failed to deliver a critical political finance reporting system despite repeated assurances and multiple deadline extensions, costing the state more than $800,000.
In December 2024, the Ethics Commissioncontracted with RFD & Associates, Inc. to create a new system to support statutorily mandated filing, review, and public disclosure in a timely manner. With the exception of the initial project kickoff, it failed to meet six of seven major contractual milestones and never produced an operational system.
"As Oklahoma's chief legal officer, I will continue to hold accountable those who fail to deliver on their commitments to the people of this state," Drummond said. "When vendors misrepresent their capabilities and leave essential systems inoperable, taxpayers deserve accountability and the recovery of public funds."
The lawsuit asserts multiple claims, including breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation, breach of warranties and violations of the Oklahoma Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The State seeks damages in excess of $800,000.
"Timely and reliable reporting systems are essential to transparency and public trust in our elections," Drummond said. "RFD & Associates, Inc. failed to deliver the system it promised, despite repeated opportunities to correct course and must now be held accountable."
Read the Lawsuit (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/january/2026.01.22%20Petition.pdf)
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/january/drummond-represents-ethics-commission-in-lawsuit-over-failed-campaign-finance-system.html
Okla. A.G. Drummond Leads Multi-state Support for Trump's Funding Cuts Over Transgender Bathroom Policies
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Jan. 23 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Drummond leads multi-state support for Trump's funding cuts over transgender bathroom policies
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is leading a multi-state coalition of attorneys general in support of President Trump's decision to withhold federal funding for New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) over district policies that allow biological males to access female bathrooms and locker rooms.
In an amicus brief filed today in U.S. District Court for the Southern
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Jan. 23 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Drummond leads multi-state support for Trump's funding cuts over transgender bathroom policies
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is leading a multi-state coalition of attorneys general in support of President Trump's decision to withhold federal funding for New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) over district policies that allow biological males to access female bathrooms and locker rooms.
In an amicus brief filed today in U.S. District Court for the SouthernDistrict of New York, Drummond and 17 other state attorneys general asked the court to deny the New York City Board of Education's motion for summary judgment and to grant the Trump Administration's motion to dismiss a lawsuit over the funding cuts.
Drummond said Oklahoma and other states in the coalition have long maintained and are considering enacting additional laws and policies that recognize the fundamental biological differences between males and females, including commonsense laws that separate intimate facilities and athletic opportunities.
"We must protect the privacy and safety of female students in intimate spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms," Drummond said. "We also must uphold the traditional and correct interpretation of Title IX. Policies such as those in New York City Public Schools conflict with federal law and should not be allowed to stand."
The attorneys general note in the brief that under New York City Public Schools policies, any student who declares a gender identity different from their biological sex can access intimate facilities designated for the opposite sex.
"The guidelines impose no verification requirements: no medical diagnosis, no parental consent, no demonstrated consistency," Drummond and the coalition wrote in the brief. "A biological male student need only declare a female gender identity to gain access to girls' locker rooms where female students are in various states of undress. The guidelines further require schools to facilitate a student's 'social transition' without notifying parents, and they allow biological males to compete on female athletic teams."
Drummond said the Trump Administration's concerns about these guidelines reflect the same commonsense understanding that biological sex matters to safety, privacy and fair competition.
Joining Drummond in signing the brief are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
Read the Brief (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/january/NYC%20Amicus.pdf)
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/january/drummond-leads-multi-state-support-for-trumps-funding-cuts-over-transgender-bathroom-policies.html
Md. A.G. Brown: Former DC Teacher to Serve One Year in Jail for Felony Insurance Theft Scheme
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 23 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Former DC Teacher to Serve One Year in Jail for Felony Insurance Theft Scheme
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today the sentencing of Kanika Oni Boston, 51, of Washington, D.C., on one count of felony theft scheme and one count of felony insurance fraud. The charges stem from fraudulent insurance payments Boston received from the American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC) and National Teachers Association Life Insurance (NTALife) when
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 23 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Former DC Teacher to Serve One Year in Jail for Felony Insurance Theft Scheme
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today the sentencing of Kanika Oni Boston, 51, of Washington, D.C., on one count of felony theft scheme and one count of felony insurance fraud. The charges stem from fraudulent insurance payments Boston received from the American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC) and National Teachers Association Life Insurance (NTALife) whenshe resided in Maryland. The investigation was led by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Fraud and Corruption Unit and the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA).
From August 29, 2016, through July 3, 2017, Kanika Boston submitted seven fraudulent insurance claims under her NTALife short-term disability, accident and specified health event policies. MIA investigators discovered that there was no supporting documentation in the medical records for the claims submitted by the defendant. In total, Boston stole $106,100 from NTALife.
Boston then applied for supplemental policies in her own name from AFLAC, as well as policies in the name of numerous other individuals, both real and fictitious. From October 16, 2017, through November 24, 2021, she submitted in excess of 100 fraudulent claims with fraudulent medical documentation to AFLAC, for which she was reimbursed a total of $324,235.17. Subsequent investigation by MIA revealed that there was no supporting documentation in the medical records for any of the claims submitted by Boston.
On January 13, 2026, the Honorable C. Philip Nichols, Jr., of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, sentenced Boston to one year in jail at the Prince George's County Detention Center. Upon release, Boston will be on five years of unsupervised probation. If Boston violates probation, she could serve up to 19 years of potential backup time. Boston has previously repaid restitution in full to AFLAC and NTALife in the total amount of $430,335.17.
Boston previously pleaded guilty in front of Judge Nichols on May 30, 2025.
"Insurance fraud drives up costs for everyone and undermines programs that support those who need it most," said Attorney General Brown. "This defendant systematically exploited these safety nets through more than 100 false claims totaling over $430,000. By prosecuting this case and recovering these stolen funds, our Office is protecting resources that Marylanders with disabilities and serious health conditions rely on to cover basic expenses when they are unable to work."
"Fraud substantially increases the cost of insurance for everyone," said Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant. "The Maryland Insurance Administration was pleased to work with the Office of the Attorney General to make sure this individual faced justice for her actions and to send a message that fraud will not be tolerated in our state."
In making today's announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Criminal Division, specifically Criminal Division Chief Katie Dorian, Fraud and Corruption Unit Chief Alexander Huggins, and Assistant Attorney General Michael Palisano, who prosecuted the case. Attorney General Brown also thanked former Assistant Attorney General Roberta Siskind and Assistant Attorney General Jerry Jones who also worked to prepare the case, as well as Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant, MIA Forensic Auditor Suzzanne Jones, and MIA Investigator William Wagner for their assistance with this investigation. Finally, Attorney General Brown also thanked State's Attorney for Prince George's County Tara H. Jackson for her assistance with this prosecution.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Former-DC-Teacher-to-Serve-One-Year-in-Jail-for-Felony-Insurance-Theft-Scheme.aspx
Ind. Gov. Gov. Mike Braun Visits ReElement, Highlighting Indiana's Leadership on Critical Minerals, Including Rare Earth Elements
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Jan. 23 -- Gov. Mike Braun, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Gov. Mike Braun Visits ReElement, Highlighting Indiana's Leadership on Critical Minerals, Including Rare Earth Elements
Today, Governor Mike Braun and Secretary of Commerce David Adams visited ReElement Technologies' pilot facility in Noblesville.
ReElement is a leader in recycling and refining critical minerals, including rare earth elements, supporting President Trump's mission of ending America's dependence on China for critical earth minerals.
"Indiana's economy is growing,
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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Jan. 23 -- Gov. Mike Braun, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Gov. Mike Braun Visits ReElement, Highlighting Indiana's Leadership on Critical Minerals, Including Rare Earth Elements
Today, Governor Mike Braun and Secretary of Commerce David Adams visited ReElement Technologies' pilot facility in Noblesville.
ReElement is a leader in recycling and refining critical minerals, including rare earth elements, supporting President Trump's mission of ending America's dependence on China for critical earth minerals.
"Indiana's economy is growing,and the most critical industries are choosing the Hoosier State to innovate and grow. Rare earth elements and critical minerals are extremely important to modern manufacturing, and ReElement is taking a leading role in America's mission to build our own rare earth supply chain free from dependency on China. We're proud they are innovating right here in Indiana." -- Governor Mike Braun
The large majority of the current supply of rare earth elements is sourced from China, and these critical minerals are necessary for advanced manufacturing, modern consumer technology, and defense. ReElement processes elements like lithium, germanium, gadolinium, antimony and yttrium for reuse from recycled materials. The company acquired Purdue University's materials purification plant in 2021 and continues to collaborate with the university.
Photos from today's stops, as well as photos from past events, can be found on the official Flickr account for Indiana Governor Mike Braun, here (https://events.in.gov/event/gov-mike-braun-visitsreelement-highlighting-indianas-leadership-on-critical-minerals-including-rare-earth-elements?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=State+of+Indiana).
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Original text here: https://events.in.gov/event/gov-mike-braun-visitsreelement-highlighting-indianas-leadership-on-critical-minerals-including-rare-earth-elements?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=State+of+Indiana
Ind. Gov. Braun Opts in to New Federal Tax Credit for School Choice Scholarships
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Jan. 23 -- Gov. Mike Braun, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Gov. Braun Opts in to New Federal Tax Credit for School Choice Scholarships
Governor Mike Braun announced today that Indiana is opting into a new initiative, which will allow Hoosiers to collect federal tax savings for investments made in K-12 scholarships. The new federal tax credit, established under President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, applies to charitable contributions made to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that serve eligible K-12 students.
"Parents
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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Jan. 23 -- Gov. Mike Braun, R-Indiana, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Gov. Braun Opts in to New Federal Tax Credit for School Choice Scholarships
Governor Mike Braun announced today that Indiana is opting into a new initiative, which will allow Hoosiers to collect federal tax savings for investments made in K-12 scholarships. The new federal tax credit, established under President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, applies to charitable contributions made to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that serve eligible K-12 students.
"Parentsare in charge of their children's education," said Gov. Braun. "As a state, we are prioritizing that through universal school choice and a state tax credit for donations made to scholarship granting organizations, which helps make a high-quality education accessible and affordable for every Hoosier family. Under President Trump's leadership, we welcome this increased focus on school choice at the federal level and are ready to leverage this additional, federal tax credit to expand opportunities for students and families across our state."
Governor Braun visited Saint Philip Neri Catholic School to mark the occasion of opting into the new federal tax credit that will help parents remain in the drivers seat of their children's education. Gov. Braun spoke with teachers, and students showed him some of their most recent projects. Photos of the visit can be found HERE (https://events.in.gov/event/gov-braun-opts-in-to-new-federal-tax-credit-for-school-choice-scholarships?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=State+of+Indiana).
Families can access scholarships through eligible SGOs to support qualified educational expenses, including costs incurred for children at public and private schools, such as tuition, fees, tutoring, educational therapies, transportation, technology, etc.
Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals will be eligible for a nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to participating SGOs. Any unused credit may be carried forward for up to five years. The below Indiana-based SGOs have already indicated they plan to participate in the new federal tax credit program in 2027; others may continue to be added,
* Institute for Quality Education, Inc.
* Sagamore Institute Scholarship for Education Choice
* The Lutheran Scholarship Granting Organization of Indiana, Inc.
* School Scholarship Granting Organization of Northeast Indiana, Inc.
* Legacy Foundation
"Every child is unique, and Indiana is home to a variety of high-quality educational options to meet those needs, regardless of a family's income or ZIP code," said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. "This new federal tax credit will continue to drive investments in scholarships, ensuring high-quality educational opportunities are within reach for every learner, in an environment that helps them reach their greatest potential."
The State of Indiana also offers a 50% tax credit for donors to qualified Indiana SGOs. There are no limits to the amount a donor can contribute to a qualified Indiana SGO.
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Original text here: https://events.in.gov/event/gov-braun-opts-in-to-new-federal-tax-credit-for-school-choice-scholarships?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=State+of+Indiana
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Heritage Village Assisted Living Owners Barred From Operating Future Assisted Living Facilities and Fined $100,000
PHOENIX, Arizona, Jan. 23 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Heritage Village Assisted Living Owners Barred From Operating Future Assisted Living Facilities and Fined $100,000
Today the Attorney General announced that she has reached a settlement agreement to resolve the complaint filed by her office alleging elder abuse and consumer fraud by the owners and operators of the assisted living facility formerly known as Heritage Village Assisted Living. In a consent judgement filed this morning, the Attorney
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Jan. 23 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Heritage Village Assisted Living Owners Barred From Operating Future Assisted Living Facilities and Fined $100,000
Today the Attorney General announced that she has reached a settlement agreement to resolve the complaint filed by her office alleging elder abuse and consumer fraud by the owners and operators of the assisted living facility formerly known as Heritage Village Assisted Living. In a consent judgement filed this morning, the AttorneyGeneral asked the court to permanently bar Gary Langendoen, Tracy Langendoen, and any companies owned by the California real estate investors from providing health care services to vulnerable adults in Arizona. They will also pay $100,000 in civil penalties.
"Heritage Village was one of the most notorious assisted living facilities in Arizona, and I filed a lawsuit to make sure that the people responsible for the Heritage Village horror stories can never again put Arizona's elderly at risk of serious injury or death," said Attorney General Mayes. "Today's settlement achieves that goal."
The lawsuit against Heritage Village alleged multiple violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and the Adult Protective Services Act, which allows the Attorney General to sue to prevent the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. In addition to the lawsuit, Attorney General Mayes asked the court to place the Heritage Village facility into receivership, the first time an Attorney General has exercised that authority since the legislature added it to the Adult Protective Services Act in 1989.
When the court appointed Peter Davis to act as receiver in April 2024, the Heritage Village facility faced many serious problems. Numerous residents had suffered violence and sexual assault by other residents and staff. The entire facility was on the brink of permanent closure, facing revocation of its operating license and foreclosure by its mortgage lender. The Attorney General's lawsuit and subsequent receivership resulted in immediate improvements to resident care and prevented a complete closure of the facility, which would have left dozens of elderly residents and their families scrambling for new accommodations. Last year the court approved the sale of the facility to new owners focused on resident care.
"Although Heritage Village is gone forever, the facility itself is still going strong under new management," said Attorney General Mayes. "My office has not received any consumer complaints about the former Heritage Village since the new owners took control."
Under the terms of the consent judgment, the Langendoens and any of their companies may not apply for a license to provide health services in Arizona, and are permanently barred from having any ownership or management interest in any business providing care to vulnerable adults. The settling defendants collectively will pay $100,000 in civil penalties to the consumer protection revolving fund. The settling defendants will also cooperate with discovery requests from the parties still remaining in the lawsuit.
The Heritage Village settlement represents the latest resolution of a string of lawsuits filed by the Attorney General against assisted living facilities, including settlements that bar facilities from including secrecy clauses in their arbitration agreements, as well as a case stemming from the elopement of a resident who later died from heat exposure. Earlier this month, the Attorney General announced another significant settlement against the Brookhaven assisted living facility and its owners.
"This settlement closes the book on Heritage Village and the Langendoens, but we still have plenty of work ahead of us in this case and others," said Attorney General Mayes. "I will pursue all facility operators and caregivers who refuse to comply with the laws and regulations that protect our most vulnerable citizens. If you have information about elder care facilities endangering residents, please contact my office so we can investigate."
The lawsuit is State of Arizona v. Heritage Village Bldg2, LLC et. al., Maricopa County case number CV2024-005359. A copy of the consent judgment can be found here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=6780c77c48&e=9153ff6c96).
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-heritage-village-assisted-living-owners-barred
