April 2021 | Issue 2
August 23-24
Legislative Council on River Governance Meeting
Lewiston, ID
September 26 - 28
Legislative Leadership Training
Colorado Springs, CO
September 28 -
October 1
CSG West Annual Meeting
Colorado Springs, CO
"The single most insightful and useful training for legislators that I've attended. It also helped build lasting friendships with other Western legislators." - Representative Tim Hawkes (UT) 
The application deadline for the 2021 Western Legislative Academy (WLA) is fast approaching! Legislators in their first four years of service are invited to submit an online application and supporting materials by the April 23 deadline. Selected class members will come together in Colorado Springs from December 7-10 for their WLA experience.
U.S. Supreme Court
CSG Joins Amicus Brief in Natural Gas Act Case
Under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), private gas companies are authorized to obtain rights of way through eminent domain in order to build pipelines. In PennEast Pipeline Co. v. New Jersey, PennEast asked a federal district court to condemn 42 properties belonging to New Jersey to allow building of a pipeline. This request prompted arguments before the Third Circuit in an attempt to establish whether the federal government can delegate its sovereign immunity to private parties. Entering the debate, the State and Local Legal Center (SLLC) filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that the Natural Gas Act does not allow private parties to condemn state land. CSG and a number of other organizations joined the amicus brief in support of this argument. Click below to learn more.
Restrictions on at Home Gatherings Lifted

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred significant debate about the ability of government to impose restrictions on gatherings - particularly those related to practice of religion. In its recent Decision on Tandon v. Newsom, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Ninth Circuit should have preliminarily struck down California’s and Santa Clara County’s COVID rule permitting only three families to gather in homes at a time. While the majority of Justices determined that the state was treating some secular activities more favorably than at-home religious exercise, dissenting Justices argued this was not the case with at-home religious gatherings receiving the same treatment as at-home secular gatherings. To read more about the ruling, click below.
Member Resources
Analyzing the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund
On March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which includes $350 billion in new federal fiscal assistance for states, territories, tribes, counties and municipalities. An additional $10 billion is available for critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring in response to COVID-19.

CSG analyzed uses and restrictions for these funds to compile total allocations for each state, territory and tribal government. To review, click below. 
Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) Joins CSG as an Affiliate
Established in August 2020, CANNRA is a board of directors led and run organization. It's founding members include the principal state regulators from 26 Jurisdictions (25 states and the District of Columbia).
 
CANNRA provides government jurisdictions with unbiased information to help make informed decisions when considering whether or how to legalize or expand regulated cannabis. It works with an array of partners to share best practices that safeguard public health and safety and promote regulatory certainty for industry participants.

Through its affiliation with CSG, CANNRA will contribute specialized expertise, information, resources and issues to the overall mission of the organization. For more information, click below. 
COVID-19 State Resources
Be sure to check out the CSG COVID-19 resource site for updated information on initiatives and resources related to state responses to the pandemic.
THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS WEST www.csgwest.org
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