States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
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Okla. A.G. Drummond Leads Coalitions Supporting President Trump's Activation of National Guard
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 11 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
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Drummond leads coalitions supporting President Trump's activation of National Guard
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is leading two multi-state coalitions of attorneys general to support President Trump's activation of the National Guard in Chicago and Portland.
In amicus briefs filed this week, Drummond and more than a dozen other state attorneys general asked the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to deny the State of Illinois' motion
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 11 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
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Drummond leads coalitions supporting President Trump's activation of National Guard
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is leading two multi-state coalitions of attorneys general to support President Trump's activation of the National Guard in Chicago and Portland.
In amicus briefs filed this week, Drummond and more than a dozen other state attorneys general asked the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to deny the State of Illinois' motionfor a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction and asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to grant President Trump's motion to stay the order blocking troops from deployment.
"President Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Illinois and Oregon is not only constitutional, but these are necessary measures to enforce the law and protect the public," Drummond said. "We must put a stop to the increased violence against federal immigration officials."
In the briefs, Drummond and the coalitions note that illegal open-border immigration policies flooded the country with illegal immigrants during the past four years.
"Now, President Trump is executing Congress' dictates and enforcing federal immigration law," the attorneys general wrote. "Against that backdrop of law enforcement, activists began to gather in cities across the United States. But rather than protest peacefully, some of those protests became violent, threatening federal officers, harming federal property, and certainly impeding enforcement of federal law. President Trump's deployment of a small number of National Guard members to defend against this lawlessness is responsible, constitutional, and authorized by statute."
Drummond's leadership on the matter is in sharp contrast to Gov. Kevin Stitt, who yesterday criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for sending National Guard troops to Illinois in support of President Trump's decision to deploy federal resources there.
"This is not the time to assail the sensible and constitutional deployment of the National Guard to ensure the safety of immigration officials," he said. "Gov. Stitt's carping to The New York Times was wholly inappropriate, if not surprising."
Also leading the amicus briefs with Oklahoma are Iowa, Montana and South Carolina.
Also joining the Illinois brief are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and West Virginia.
Those joining the Ninth Circuit brief are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and West Virginia.
Read the Illinois brief (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2025/october/Illinois%20National%20Guard%20Amicus.pdf) and the Ninth Circuit brief (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2025/october/Oregon%20National%20Guard%20Amicus.pdf).
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2025/october/drummond-leads-coalitions-supporting-president-trump-s-activatio.html
Md. A.G. Brown Supports Challenge to Executive Orders Unlawfully Targeting Transgender Individuals and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiatives
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 11 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Supports Challenge to Executive Orders Unlawfully Targeting Transgender Individuals and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiatives
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, as part of a coalition of 18 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief supporting a legal challenge to President Trump's executive orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives and programs that support transgender individuals.
Attorney General
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 11 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Supports Challenge to Executive Orders Unlawfully Targeting Transgender Individuals and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiatives
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, as part of a coalition of 18 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief supporting a legal challenge to President Trump's executive orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives and programs that support transgender individuals.
Attorney GeneralBrown and the coalition filed their brief in San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump before the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. At issue on appeal are several provisions in executive orders that direct agencies to terminate federal funding for grants that are "equity-related" or promote "gender ideology." The plaintiffs in the case argue that these funding provisions impose unlawful burdens on organizations that provide critical services to LGBTQ+ communities - many specifically supporting transgender individuals.
"These discriminatory and unlawful executive orders threaten the funding of nonprofits like Baltimore Safe Haven, a plaintiff in this case that helps transgender Marylanders access critical health services like HIV prevention," said Attorney General Brown. "We cannot stand by while vague federal mandates force our nonprofits and charitable organizations to choose between their missions and their survival."
In their brief, the attorneys general maintain that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs are lawful, beneficial, and ensure compliance with federal civil rights statutes. The coalition also explains how the challenged provisions in the executive orders harm their states, residents, and businesses by denying them the many valuable benefits associated with workplaces, schools and communities that have adopted practices related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Additionally, the attorneys general explain that the funding provisions related to "gender ideology" unlawfully terminate grants and other awards that support critical services and lifesaving health care for transgender individuals. Not only does this discriminatory directive harm the organizations that rely on this funding, but it also harms the health and well-being of transgender residents who rely on these services and who are already among the most vulnerable members of our society.
A district court granted the plaintiffs a preliminary injunction, but the administration appealed. Attorney General Brown and the other attorneys general are urging the appeals court to uphold the injunction.
Joining Attorney General Brown in filing the brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Supports-Challenge-to-Executive-Orders-Unlawfully-Targeting-Transgender-Individuals-and-Diversity,-E.aspx
Ill. Gov. Pritzker Announces Global Quantum Computing Pioneer, Pasqal, to Establish U.S. Headquarters in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Oct. 11 -- Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Oct. 9, 2025:
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Governor Pritzker Announces Global Quantum Computing Pioneer, Pasqal, to Establish U.S. Headquarters in Illinois
French Tech Leader to Invest More Than $65 million, Create 50 New Jobs at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) on Chicago's South Side
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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced Pasqal, a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, will establish their U.S. headquarters
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SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Oct. 11 -- Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Oct. 9, 2025:
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Governor Pritzker Announces Global Quantum Computing Pioneer, Pasqal, to Establish U.S. Headquarters in Illinois
French Tech Leader to Invest More Than $65 million, Create 50 New Jobs at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) on Chicago's South Side
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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced Pasqal, a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, will establish their U.S. headquartersas a future tenant of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) on Chicago's South Side.
With support from the State's Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act (MICRO) Program, Pasqal will invest more than $65 million in their first U.S. location and create 50 new full-time jobs. Pasqal's facility will include a space to house one of the company's quantum processing units onsite. In addition to the State's MICRO incentives, Pasqal has secured a $15 million loan from the Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank to support their U.S. project.
"Pasqal's decision to establish its U.S. headquarters in Illinois marks another major milestone for Illinois' quantum ecosystem," said Governor JB Pritzker. "As one the world's leaders in neutral-atom quantum computing, Pasqal's presence will accelerate innovation, attract new partners, help power the next generation of discovery, and economic growth right here in Illinois. Joining a growing roster of trailblazing companies at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, Pasqal strengthens our position as a global hub for cutting-edge technology."
"Under our administration, Illinois has done an incredible job of creating a business environment that leads innovation both nationally and globally -- we've put our state on the map as a hub for quantum technology. The establishment of Pasqual's headquarters in Chicago not only bolsters our progress, but also brings high-paying jobs and economic growth to our communities," said Lt. Governor Stratton. "Pasqal joins a growing cohort of leaders in the quantum industry who recognize that Illinois is the best state to grow, start, and expand a business."
"The French government is delighted with this investment in the Chicago quantum ecosystem by a French company, Pasqal, which is one of our flagships in the field," said Charlotte Montel, Consul General of France. "Thanks to proactive action by our authorities, research and industry stakeholders, France is already a quantum powerhouse. This installation is a great addition to the fruitful scientific and technological collaborations between Illinois and our country."
"Pasqal already delivered and operates multiple +140 qubits machines across Europe, Americas, and the Middle East, said Wasiq Bokhari, Executive Chairman of the Board, Pasqal. "These systems are being used today by Fortune 500 companies and public institutions and by establishing our presence in Illinois, we will bring a proven quantum computer to the U.S. Midwest. This ensures that both industry and government can access real hardware in the near term."
"Establishing our U.S. headquarters in Illinois is a pivotal step in Pasqal's journey. Here, we will accelerate the development of real-world quantum applications, from advancing new materials and drug discovery to optimizing energy and financial systems," said Loic Henriet, CEO, Pasqal. "Illinois has the academic excellence, supportive policy environment, and diverse talent pool to seize the unique opportunity to build quantum solutions in the U.S. These solutions will power future industries and create a profound economic impact."
Pasqal, founded in France in 2019 by Georges-Olivier Reymond, Christophe Jurczak, Nobel Prize Winner Professor Dr. Alain Aspect, Dr. Antoine Browaeys, and Dr. Thierry Lahaye, leads the world in neutral-atom quantum computing. The company builds and commercializes quantum computers powered by neutral atom technology -- an innovation that has been advanced over the past two decades by the CNRS Charles Fabry Laboratory (IOGS). Headquartered in Palaiseau, just south of Paris, Pasqal operates subsidiaries in eight countries and employs a team of more than 300 professionals worldwide.
"Illinois has always been a hub in the global network of innovators, and we are proud to be at the forefront of the global quantum computing revolution," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "Pasqal's investment will create high-tech jobs and drive economic growth in the region, helping Illinois lead the way in the rapidly expanding quantum industry."
"Pasqal's decision to grow in Illinois is the latest indicator of our state's strength in quantum. Illinois delivers a deep and expanding ecosystem of innovative companies and leading researchers, where quantum companies can thrive," said Illinois Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Christy George. "Illinois EDC is proud to have played an instrumental role in Pasqal's decision to expand in our state."
Governor Pritzker has prioritized making Illinois a global player in the quantum industry, supporting research and development and attracting leading names in the quantum realm to the state. Last week, Governor Pritzker broke ground on PsiQuantum's state-of-the-art facility on the South Side of Chicago officially marking the buildout of the IQMP. Other IQMP tenants include the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), IBM, Infleqtion, and Diraq, all of whom leverage their resources to explore the practical applications of quantum.
"We're thrilled to welcome Pasqal, a global pioneer in neutral-atom quantum computing, as the newest IQMP tenant," said Harley Johnson, Executive Director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. "Pasqal will bring scientific expertise and proven technical achievements to our dynamic, rapidly-growing ecosystem. By expanding both their hardware and software operations, Pasqal will be at the center of delivering practical, real-world quantum applications, and it will all happen right here at the IQMP on Chicago's South Side."
"Through this working capital loan to Pasqal, the volunteer board members and effective staff of the Illinois Finance Authority proudly join Governor Pritzker's call to action to make Illinois a global leader in quantum technology and commercialization, quantum investment, and importantly, good quantum jobs for the people of Illinois," said Chris Meister, Executive Director, Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank (IFA). "While helping meet Pasqal's capital and commercial needs, this IFA loan appropriately balances sound stewardship of public funds with the potential for good and diverse Illinois jobs represented by a sustainable Illinois quantum economy."
DCEO's MICRO program provides incentives for companies that manufacture microchips, semiconductors, quantum computers and associated component parts as well as those engaged in research and development. A link to the full Pasqal MICRO agreement can be found on the DCEO website (https://secure-web.cisco.com/1TpU0RUEizbPudwgZGONc17ehccvUaPiI-myuZeV-3n2Who0CxhlzgBaMVBkVKHD3iiIFH4lmjdwCHvD08kK5MtED3fwRyvfBQPTpmM87Shq9faGjJEUTi9ggCZkk8SDgqps7sA4Q7Vu7yFQcq1sHB2gzHMCG04sR4OheCGu2WOv_ibsy28pNytFzI_2fto2HLtY3Xixcn61Q3R6dv4NKjJsEWeNmsDbPcGyJScERs3HXmCCwi5QciYoegIqqsZjqYsbEjzDbE5U-7aEpQ_h1Hx1qnKuF78UibtNPeZytj9ycpeM9C1o7dcnSmMxLUf0iqx1BQsDWwomewrBsxb4GWGlJnWGHiOiGGroPX262udCKrVFRvVyYIxBTI9UD1vitckUZyJKvLbLDFlyhds0I3hzmx_Q-ob1TiIRl4bog3uQ/https%3A%2F%2Fprezlymail.com%2Fc%2F53f416cc-d8f8-4be0-8d81-01d6f4cd7d9c%2F23c9bf82%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fdceo.illinois.gov%252Fexpandrelocate%252Fincentives%252Fmicro-agreements.html).
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Original text here: https://www.illinois.gov/news/release.html?releaseid=31808
Carbon Management Coming Soon to California: Gov. Newsom Signs Legislation Paving Way for Climate Pollution-cutting Technology
SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 11 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
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Carbon management coming soon to California: Governor Newsom signs legislation paving way for climate pollution-cutting technology
What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed legislation to help foster the state's carbon management market, a key piece of the state's efforts to cut climate pollution.
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Governor Gavin Newsom today announced he signed legislation that will boost the state's burgeoning carbon capture, removal and storage market - a critical part of California's
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SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 11 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
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Carbon management coming soon to California: Governor Newsom signs legislation paving way for climate pollution-cutting technology
What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed legislation to help foster the state's carbon management market, a key piece of the state's efforts to cut climate pollution.
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Governor Gavin Newsom today announced he signed legislation that will boost the state's burgeoning carbon capture, removal and storage market - a critical part of California'sefforts to address the climate crisis.
The Governor signed SB 614 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) that authorizes the safe development of dedicated pipelines to move carbon dioxide captured from emitters or removed from the atmosphere to underground geological formations for permanent storage. This legislation is a vital next step to further foster the nascent carbon capture, removal, and sequestration market here in California. This action comes as the Trump administration reverses course on federal policies incentivizing the development of these projects and technologies.
"Carbon management is a critical pillar of California's world-leading efforts to cut climate pollution. I'm signing this legislation to put our state on the leading edge of an emerging 21st Century industry that will not only help us address the climate crisis but create good paying, skilled jobs." - Governor Gavin Newsom
In addition to fostering the new carbon capture, removal and sequestration market in the state, SB 614 will create new economic opportunities and high road jobs, while reducing climate pollution that is exacerbating extreme weather. Leveraging the state's innovative spirit, California is home to a growing number of carbon capture, removal and sequestration companies and startups that are attracting private investment.
"This bill will ensure that California adopts best-in-class regulations for carbon dioxide pipeline safety through a public process that elevates community input while encouraging major investment in the clean energy transition of our most fossil fuel intensive industries," said Senator Stern. "I am grateful to Governor Newsom for charting this new path."
In 2022, Governor signed SB 905 (Caballero) as part of the Climate Commitment to encourage the development of these projects in California with the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework. SB 614 builds off this effort and supports these projects with the authorization to develop safe carbon dioxide pipelines from where the carbon is captured and removed to where it will be permanently stored. In addition, SB 840 (Limon) allocates $85 million in the 2026-27 budget year from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to advance climate-focused technological innovation, related research, and the deployment of climate solutions, such as carbon capture and removal projects. The GGRF is supported by revenue generated from the state's world-leading Cap-and-Trade, now Cap-and-Invest program, which places a price on climate pollution. These efforts are examples of policy momentum aimed at fostering the decarbonized economy of tomorrow.
"Carbon capture is an important part of the climate puzzle - we need CCUS technologies to deliver on our climate goals and build California's clean energy future," said bill co-author Assemblymember Petrie-Norris. "I'm grateful for the Governor's partnership to ensure the safe deployment of carbon pipelines in California. SB 614 will accelerate California's climate progress, spur billions of dollars in climate investments, and create thousands of high road jobs across the state."
California's climate leadership
Pollution is down and the economy is up. Greenhouse gas emissions in California are down 20% since 2000 - even as the state's GDP increased 78% in that same time period all while becoming the world's fourth largest economy.
The state also continues to set clean energy records. California was powered by two-thirds clean energy in 2023, the latest year for which data is available - the largest economy in the world to achieve this level of clean energy. The state has run on 100% clean electricity for some part of the day almost every day this year.
Since the beginning of the Newsom Administration, battery storage is up to over 15,000 megawatts - a 1,900%+ increase, and over 30,000 megawatts of new resources have been added to the electric grid.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/10/carbon-management-coming-soon-to-california-governor-newsom-signs-legislation-paving-way-for-climate-pollution-cutting-technology/
Calif. Gov. Newsom Signs Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Ongoing Los Angeles Rebuilding Efforts, Strengthen Future Disaster Response and Recovery
SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 11 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
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Governor Newsom signs bipartisan legislation to boost ongoing Los Angeles rebuilding efforts, strengthen future disaster response and recovery
What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed a bipartisan package of bills to aid in the rebuilding and recovery efforts in Los Angeles following the devastating fires earlier this year. This legislation represents one of the most significant reforms to the state's disaster response, incorporating lessons learned and strengthening
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 11 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
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Governor Newsom signs bipartisan legislation to boost ongoing Los Angeles rebuilding efforts, strengthen future disaster response and recovery
What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed a bipartisan package of bills to aid in the rebuilding and recovery efforts in Los Angeles following the devastating fires earlier this year. This legislation represents one of the most significant reforms to the state's disaster response, incorporating lessons learned and strengtheningCalifornia's ability to respond to future disasters.
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ALTADENA -- Governor Gavin Newsom today announced he signed a bipartisan package of bills to support the ongoing rebuilding and recovery efforts in Los Angeles after the devastating fires earlier this year. The legislation also strengthens the state's response and recovery posture for future disasters, including by codifying numerous actions the Governor has taken by Executive Order to protect Los Angeles fire survivors, ensuring that these protections also benefit survivors of future disasters. The package represents one of the most significant and comprehensive reforms to the state's disaster response efforts in history.
The Governor joined wildfire survivors and legislators in Altadena this week to sign several of the bills. Among other things, the legislation:
* Protects homeowners and tenants immediately following a disaster
* Provides property tax relief for wildfire survivors
* Helps workers recover
* Makes it easier to rebuild
* Makes insurance work better for property owners and small businesses
* Cracks down on looting and first responder impersonators in evacuation zones
* Reduces risk of catastrophic wildfire
"While it's been nine months since these firestorms struck Los Angeles, the destruction and devastation left behind is still fresh for thousands of survivors and remains a constant reminder that we have more to do to support our fellow Californians. Together with the legislature, we're putting the lessons we learned in January into action and delivering the most significant upgrade to California's disaster response and recovery efforts in years - supporting wildfire survivors now and in the future." - Governor Gavin Newsom
Last month, Governor Newsom signed into law legislation to help homeowners affected by the Los Angeles fires receive mortgage relief.
Supporting survivors by improving disaster response and recovery
* Protecting homeowners and tenants after disaster. AB 299 (Gabriel) allows people displaced by disasters to stay in hotels, motels, or short-term rentals for extended periods without being treated as tenants. By delaying tenancy status until 270 consecutive days of occupancy, the bill provides stability for survivors by facilitating hotel and short-term rental operators' ability to extend reservations. SB 610 (Perez) expands disaster protections for tenants, mobile home residents, and borrowers. Landlords must remove hazardous debris and maintain habitability, while tenants retain return rights at pre-disaster rents. Mobile home residents are entitled to rent refunds, relief during evacuations, and relocation benefits if parks close. AB 851 (McKinnor) temporarily prohibits unsolicited real estate purchase offers in specified fire-affected ZIP codes in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties until January 1, 2027, protecting homeowners from predatory buyers during recovery.
* Providing property tax relief to wildfire survivors. AB 245 (Gipson) gives households additional time to rebuild their home or business without experiencing a property tax increase. SB 293 (Perez) gives homeowners more time to bring their property ownership records up to date to avoid unintended tax penalties from a reassessment. SB 663 (Allen) provides low-income veterans, churches, and nonprofits additional clarity about their property tax exemption as they rebuild from the fires.
* Helping workers recover. AB 338 (Solache) directs critical funding to support the rebuilding and recovery of areas affected by the wildfires by investing in workforce development strategies, including education, high road training partnerships, and supportive services for underemployed and unemployed low- to moderate-income individuals.
* Making it easier to rebuild. AB 462 (Lowenthal) streamlines approvals for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the Coastal Zone, requiring decisions on coastal permits within 60 days and eliminating unnecessary Coastal Commission appeals (previously signed). It also allows ADUs to receive occupancy certificates before a primary dwelling is rebuilt in disaster zones. AB 818 (Avila Farias) accelerates local permitting for rebuilding homes and siting temporary housing after disasters. Residents may place manufactured homes, modular homes, or detached ADUs on private lots during reconstruction, and local governments must act on permit applications for such homes within 10 business days. SB 625 (Wahab) limits homeowners' associations' authority to delay or block the rebuilding of homes destroyed in disasters over design differences. SB 676 (Limon) establishes expedited administrative and judicial review procedures under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for projects that maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace wildfire-damaged property or facilities located in an area for which the Governor declared a state of emergency, beginning January 1, 2027.
* Making insurance work better for homeowners and small businesses. In the event of a covered total loss of a home resulting from a disaster covered by a state of emergency proclamation, SB 495 (Allen) requires insurers to offer 60 percent of the personal property policy coverage limit, up to $350,000, without an itemized claim from the policyholder. It extends the deadline for a policyholder to provide the insurer with proof of loss from 60 to 100 days following the loss. SB 547 (Perez) prohibits an insurer from canceling or refusing to renew a commercial property insurance policy for one year from the declaration of a state of emergency, if the commercial property is located within the perimeter of a wildfire or in an adjacent ZIP Code.
* Cracking down on looting and first responder impersonators and improving overall response. AB 468 (Gabriel) significantly increases the criminal penalties for looting in an evacuation zone. Of special importance is the bill's focus on residents: the increased penalties apply for one year following an evacuation order for any residence damaged in a disaster, and for three years for residences under repair or reconstruction. SB 571 (Archuleta) seeks to thwart those who impersonate first responders to gain access to evacuation zones, particularly to loot. The bill creates a new crime: fraudulently impersonating a first responder in an area subject to an evacuation order. SB 499 (Stern) allows local governments to collect park impact fees earlier in the development process when the parks are designated for emergency or disaster response. Recognizing parks as critical infrastructure for evacuation, staging, and wildfire mitigation, the bill adjusts fee timing rules to strengthen disaster preparedness.
* Reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire. Modeled off a similar program in Alabama, AB 888 (Calderon) creates the California Safe Homes grant program to provide grants to low-income homeowners to replace their roofs with fire-safe roofs and to fund defensible space vegetation clearing projects. SB 429 (Cortese) establishes the Wildfire Safety and Risk Mitigation Program at the Department of Insurance. The program provides funding to one or more universities to create a research educational center responsible for developing, demonstrating, and deploying a public wildfire catastrophe model that provides significant wildfire safety benefits to California communities and assists alignment of federal, State, and local wildfire risk reduction efforts.
The full list of bills the Governor signed is below:
* AB 245 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) - Property taxation: application of base year value: disaster relief.
* AB 299 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) - Motels, hotels, and short-term lodging: disasters.
* AB 338 by Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache (D-Lynwood) - Workforce development: the Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura: 2025 wildfires.
* AB 468 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) - Crimes: looting.
* AB 818 by Assemblymember Anamarie Avila Farias (D-Martinez) - Permit Streamlining Act: local emergencies.
* AB 851 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) - Real property transactions: Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura wildfires: unsolicited offers.
* AB 888 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) - California Safe Homes grant program.
* AB 1003 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whitter) - Public health: emergency plans and wildfire research.
* AB 1075 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) - Fire protection: privately contracted fire prevention resources: public water sources.
* SB 293 by Senator Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena) - Real property tax: transfer of base year value: generational transfers: wildfire.
* SB 394 by Senator Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica) - Water theft: fire hydrants.
* SB 429 by Senator Dave Cortese (D-Silicon Valley) - Wildfire Safety and Risk Mitigation Program.
* SB 495 by Senator Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica) - Insurance.
* SB 499 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) - Residential projects: fees and charges.
* SB 547 by Senator Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena) - Commercial property insurance cancellation and nonrenewal.
* SB 571 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) - Emergencies: crimes.
* SB 582 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) - Health and care facilities: licensing during emergencies or disasters.
* SB 610 by Senator Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena) - Disaster assistance: tenants, mobilehome parks, and mortgages.
* SB 625 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) - Housing developments: disasters: reconstruction of destroyed or damaged structures.
* SB 663 by Senator Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica) - Winter Fires of 2025: real property tax: exemptions and reassessment.
* SB 676 by Senator Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara) - California Environmental Quality Act: judicial streamlining: state of emergency: wildfire.
* SB 760 by Senator Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica) - Behested payments: public appeal for payment.
* SB 782 by Senator Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena) - Enhanced infrastructure financing district: climate resilience districts.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/10/governor-newsom-signs-bipartisan-legislation-to-boost-ongoing-los-angeles-rebuilding-efforts-strengthen-future-disaster-response-and-recovery/
Calif. Gov. Newsom Pre-deploys Resources Ahead of Potential Storm Impacts in Imperial and San Bernardino Counties
SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 11 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
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Governor Newsom pre-deploys resources ahead of potential storm impacts in Imperial and San Bernardino counties
SAN BERNARDINO - Governor Gavin Newsom today approved the prepositioning of fire and rescue resources in Imperial and San Bernardino counties in response to extreme weather conditions forecast to impact the areas starting Thursday, October 9 through Saturday, October 11, 2025. The remnants of Tropical Storm Priscilla are expected to bring rainfall and impact
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 11 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
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Governor Newsom pre-deploys resources ahead of potential storm impacts in Imperial and San Bernardino counties
SAN BERNARDINO - Governor Gavin Newsom today approved the prepositioning of fire and rescue resources in Imperial and San Bernardino counties in response to extreme weather conditions forecast to impact the areas starting Thursday, October 9 through Saturday, October 11, 2025. The remnants of Tropical Storm Priscilla are expected to bring rainfall and impactSouthern California.
These efforts ensure that resources are ready to respond quickly, minimizing the potential impacts. Resources being prepositioned include a total of four fire engines, one handcrew, one dispatcher, one loader and one bulldozer, and an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with 2 support personnel.
Local fire agencies are identifying conditions in communities that may require additional resources and can submit requests to the state for support. The staging locations and response assignments are coordinated by local officials.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant during this heightened precipitation and extreme weather period. Californians are reminded to:
* Prepare a wildfire action plan, including planning evacuation routes and packing a go-bag with essentials.
* Sign up for local emergency alerts to stay informed about changing conditions.
* Review your family emergency plan and check on your neighbors.
For more information on fire safety and general preparedness, visit Ready.ca.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/10/governor-newsom-pre-deploys-resources-ahead-of-fire-weather-in-imperial-and-san-bernardino-counties/
Ala. Commerce Dept.: EDPA Launches Statewide Technology Attraction Strategy Focused on Founders
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 11 -- The Alabama Department of Commerce issued the following news on Oct. 10, 2025:
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EDPA launches statewide technology attraction strategy focused on founders
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), in coordination with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Innovate Alabama, today announced a comprehensive statewide strategy to recruit and support high- growth technology companies.
The approach is organized around the principle of "Alabama Puts Founders First" and brings together new and expanded initiatives to help startups
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MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 11 -- The Alabama Department of Commerce issued the following news on Oct. 10, 2025:
* * *
EDPA launches statewide technology attraction strategy focused on founders
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), in coordination with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Innovate Alabama, today announced a comprehensive statewide strategy to recruit and support high- growth technology companies.
The approach is organized around the principle of "Alabama Puts Founders First" and brings together new and expanded initiatives to help startupsand small businesses scale in Alabama.
The strategy focuses on three pillars:
* Corporate Pilots: Funding pilots between Alabama corporations and growth-stage startups.
* Accelerated Company Retention: Providing concierge-style support and immersive experiences to keep accelerator graduates in Alabama.
* Tech Business Attraction: Using data to target growth-stage companies in priority sectors such as defense, biotech, mobility, forestry and advanced manufacturing.
The strategy, developed in coordination with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Innovate Alabama, builds on the momentum of Birmingham Bound, which EDPA acquired in 2024, and extends its mission statewide.
The effort reinforces a shared vision to attract high-growth technology companies and ensures each organization's initiatives are aligned and complementary.
"Alabama puts founders first," said Jackson Pruett, EDPA's director of technology company business attraction. "This strategy makes it clear that our state is ready to help startups thrive with tailored resources, accessible capital and a community that welcomes big ideas.
"Founders can scale their companies here while also enjoying a high quality of life," he added.
EDPA will use the Alabama Business Intelligence Center (AL Intel) to identify and target growth-stage companies in Catalyst priority sectors including defense technology, biotech, mobility, forestry and advanced manufacturing.
Working alongside state and local partners, the organization will offer founders and their companies concierge-style support that ranges from funding and mentorship to workforce talent, incentives and direct customer access.
"This strategy is a powerful signal to the national tech community: Alabama is not just competing -- we're innovating the way we attract and support startups," said Angela Smith, a Senior Project Manager at the Alabama Department of Commerce who focuses on the tech sector.
"Our strength lies in partnership, and this effort reflects our commitment to building a dynamic tech ecosystem where founders don't just relocate, they scale and succeed," she added.
Defense strength
Defense technology is one area where Alabama is already seeing success.
Using AL Intel and partnerships with the Alabama Department of Commerce, the team has begun recruiting growth-stage defense startups to the state. Alabama ranks among the nation's leading defense hubs, anchored by tenants of Redstone Arsenal -- such as U.S. Space Command -- and other major installations like Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and Fort Rucker.
The state attracts $10.4 billion annually in defense contracts (13th nationally) and $345.3 million in defense grants (10th nationally), supported by more than $6 billion in private investment over the past 25 years.
Major defense primes including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Airbus have all established significant operations in Alabama.
Alabama is positioning itself as the nation's testbed for defense innovation, cultivating an environment where defense startups can thrive alongside established primes.
"When we launched Birmingham Bound, it was about showing founders they could build great companies here," said Britney Summerville, founder of Birmingham Bound. "This statewide strategy is the natural next step. With partners like Innovate Alabama, we're putting Alabama on the map as a place that puts founders first and helps them win."
Support system
Building on that local success, Innovate Alabama is helping connect small businesses and the resources that support them across the state, ensuring innovative ideas and enterprises can grow and thrive in every region.
"Innovation doesn't just happen in one city or one sector. It takes root when an entire state invests in it," said Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. "Through this collaboration, we're strengthening the network that allows small businesses to not only start and grow in Alabama, but to stay, scale and create lasting impact in the communities they call home."
As part of the founder-first approach, EDPA -- in partnership with Innovate Alabama and corporate allies -- is funding real-world pilot projects between startups and Alabama corporations. The goal is to de-risk the adoption of new technologies for established companies while helping startups land their first customers, accelerate growth and prove their value in live market settings.
In parallel, EDPA will collaborate with accelerators across the state and with Innovate Alabama to provide tailored post-program support, ensuring more founders choose to stay and scale their companies in Alabama.
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Original text here: https://www.madeinalabama.com/2025/10/edpa-launches-statewide-technology-attraction-strategy-focused-on-founders/
