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Senator Blocks Pipeline Safety Bill on Principle

A single senator is using his power to block legislation that would toughen safety regulations for pipelines even though the pipeline industry, safety advocates and even companies in his state support the measure. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky hasn’t …

House Disaster Vote Sets Up Showdown with Senate

The GOP-controlled House is on track to pass $3.7 billion in disaster relief as part of a must-pass bill to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month. House passage of the bill Wednesday would come over the …

President Backs House Flood Bill in Deficit Plan

President Barack Obama endorsed key elements of a U.S. flood insurance reform bill passed by the House in the tax and deficit plan he unveiled Monday, even as the reform has stalled in the Senate without a clear path forward. …

California Bill Would Restrict Use of Red-Light Cameras

The state Assembly has approved restrictions on governments’ use of cameras to catch drivers who run red lights. The bill requires that red-light cameras be used for public safety, not to generate revenue from traffic fines. It also would force …

House Acts to Overhaul Flood Insurance Program

Congress is trying to restore new fiscal life to a four-decade-old federal flood insurance program that was nearly sunk by Katrina and other 2005 hurricanes. The House on Tuesday voted 406-22 to extend the National Flood Insurance Program for five …

Missouri Governor Vetoes Bill Delaying Sprinkler Mandate

Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed legislation Wednesday that would have given facilities for the elderly and disabled more time to comply with a sprinkler system mandate enacted after a fatal 2006 fire at a southwest Missouri group home for the mentally …

South Carolina Bill Barring Mailed Speeding Tickets Becomes Law

Gov. Nikki Haley has signed into law a bill designed to stop a South Carolina town from using a traffic camera to send speeders a ticket in the mail. The law bars towns from mailing traffic tickets. It requires officers …

Louisiana Bill Would Help Families of Murdered Investigators

A week after two unarmed Louisiana insurance fraud investigators were shot and killed while looking into a case, state lawmakers are working to give the investigators’ families some compensation. The Louisiana Senate unanimously agreed Wednesday to expand existing law to …

Tennessee Governor Signs Bill Placing Caps on Lawsuit Payouts

A measure to place caps on payouts from successful medical malpractice and other civil cases has been signed by the governor. Under the law, a $750,000 cap would be placed on non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and the …

Deal Reached on Limiting Frivolous Lawsuits in Texas

The legislative fight over disputed legislation to restrict frivolous lawsuits appears to be resolved in a surprise agreement. All sides agreed late Saturday to a new version of the measure, which has already passed the House, the Austin American-Statesman reported …