NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES
NCSL Capitol to Capitol
State-federal legislation news and updates from NCSL.
July 7, 2026
This week: The House advances the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act to the Senate for consideration. NCSL continues to advocate for the reauthorization of the First Responder Authority Network (FirstNet) and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
WASHINGTON WATCH: WHAT STATES NEED TO KNOW
House Approves Kids Safety Legislation
The House passed the bipartisan Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, 267-117. The legislation would require online platforms to adopt “reasonable” safeguards against harms such as exploitation and violence, while expanding parental controls, modifying platform design features that drive compulsive use, and establishing baseline federal standards that still allow states to enact stronger protections.
Earlier this year, NCSL urged the House Energy and Commerce Committee to advance legislation that would provide a regulatory floor rather than a ceiling and protect the ability of states to enact strong safeguards. Despite the bipartisan compromise between the committee’s chair and ranking member—along with revisions to limit federal preemption—many senators and child safety advocates opposed the bill for its failure to impose a stronger “duty of care” standard requiring companies to design social media platforms with children’s safety in mind.
The debate now moves to the Senate, where the Commerce Committee is expected to begin markup of kids’ online safety legislation in the coming weeks. NCSL will continue to monitor developments.
STATE-FED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
FirstNet Reauthorization | NCSL joined other state and local government and public safety organizations in urging leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee to reauthorize the First Responder Authority Network, known as FirstNet, which is set to expire in 2027. The network provides critical communications services to first responders during emergencies. The House passed a bill in April to reauthorize the network through September 2037.
► NCSL Urges Reauthorization of FirstNet (NCSL)
► State and Local Coalition Supports FirstNet Reauthorization (NCSL)
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program | In a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, NCSL and other state and local government associations requested $300 million in fiscal year 2027 funding for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, which expires Sept. 30. Continued funding of this program and its longer-term reauthorization are essential for strengthening U.S. cyber postures against constantly evolving threats.
► NCSL Urges Funding for State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (NCSL)
► Coalition Supports Reauthorization of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (NCSL)
USDA Announces $500M Investment in Domestic Fertilizer Supply | The funding is available via FIELDS (Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply), a program prioritizing shovel-ready, financially viable projects that can expand domestic production of critical crop nutrients, including nitrogen. FIELDS is designed to strengthen U.S. fertilizer manufacturing capacity, improve supply chain resilience and increase fertilizer availability. Awards will range from $15 million to $100 million, with priority given to projects that can quickly increase domestic fertilizer production and deliver tangible benefits to U.S. agriculture. Applications for the FIELDS Program are due Aug. 17.
► Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (Grants.gov)
► NCSL Task Force Tackles Top Ag Issues at Iowa Meeting (NCSL)
► How the Federal Reconciliation Bill Will Affect Farms and Food Policy (NCSL)
Supreme Court Ends Session | The Supreme Court ended its 2025-26 session last week with several opinions on highly anticipated cases with state impact.
Trump v. Barbara: The court upheld birthright citizenship and struck down an executive order that would have barred U.S.-born children of parents without permanent legal status from receiving American citizenship.
► Trump v. Barbara: The court upheld birthright citizenship and struck down an executive order that would have barred U.S.-born children of parents without permanent legal status from receiving American citizenship.
► Watson v. RNC: The court affirmed the right of states to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day.
► Chatrie v. United States: The court ruled that geofence warrants—law enforcement requests for information indicating what smartphones were present within a geographic area during a specified time frame—are protected by the Fourth Amendment.
📅 Upcoming NCSL Events
Virtual Events
July 7 | Town Hall: Overdose Prevention
July 9 | What's the Latest on Redistricting?
In-Person Meetings
Jul 27-29 | NCSL Legislative Summit, Chicago
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About Capitol to Capitol
Capitol to Capitol was established in 1994 to provide up-to-date information on important federal legislation. NCSL is committed to enhancing the role of states and state legislatures in the federal system.
