NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES
NCSL Capitol to Capitol
State-federal legislation news and updates from NCSL.
Sept. 29, 2026
Happening this week: The Supreme Court temporarily lifted a lower court’s pause on the Department of Homeland Security's use of an overhauled federal database to check the citizenship of Americans on state voter rolls. And a federal court permanently blocked the Agriculture Department from penalizing states for missing a deadline to implement certain SNAP changes enacted in 2025.
WASHINGTON WATCH: WHAT STATES NEED TO KNOW
Supreme Court Allows Use of SAVE Database for Federal Elections
The Supreme Court granted the federal government’s emergency request to pause a June lower court ruling that blocked the Department of Homeland Security’s use of the overhauled Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, database to check the citizenship of voters in federal elections. The court ruled 6-3 that the petitioners challenging the legality of the SAVE database are unlikely to prevail at the Supreme Court, and that the court is likely to reverse the lower court ruling when it hears the full case during session. The decision is unlikely to affect the upcoming elections because states are barred from purging voter rolls within 90 days of a federal election, and the midterms are less than 45 days away. The justices’ eventual ruling will have larger implications on voter list maintenance in future federal elections.
► Supreme Court: Curiam Opinion
► NCSL: List Maintenance and Removing Noncitizens from Voter Lists
STATE-FED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Federal Court Blocks SNAP Penalties for States | A federal judge permanently blocked the Department of Agriculture from penalizing states for missing a deadline to implement certain SNAP changes enacted in 2025, ruling that states were not given sufficient guidance or time to comply. The judge ruled that the USDA’s original implementation deadline of Nov. 1, 2025, was unlawful and that the agency must provide states with a 120-day grace period before penalizing them for errors related to noncitizens and other SNAP changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill. While that law’s cost-sharing requirements remain in effect, the ruling could have significant implications for fiscal 2025 and ’26 payment error rates, which will be used to calculate future state liabilities. It is unclear how the agency will implement the ruling or whether it will appeal.
► Oregon U.S. District Court: State of New York et al v. Rollins et al
Education Department Releases Final Title IX Regulation on Sex Discrimination| The department has reinstated a 2020 rule laying out how schools must respond to reports of sexual misconduct, changing the definition of sexual harassment, and allowing schools to use a higher standard of proof in disciplinary hearings related to sexual assault. The rule, which applies to educational institutions that receive federal funding, repeals changes made in 2024 that prohibited discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics and pregnancy, and required schools to take prompt and effective action to address sex discrimination and sex-based harassment. The reinstated rule goes into effect on Sept. 29.
► Federal Register: Recodification of Title IX Rules
📅 Upcoming NCSL Events
Virtual Events
Oct. 20-21 | NCSL Base Camp 2026
In-Person Meetings
Oct. 14 | Roundtable on Evaluating Economic Development Incentives
Professional Development for Legislative Staff
Sept. 29 | NLPES Professional Development Seminar
Sept. 30 | NALIT Professional Development Seminar
Oct. 4 | ASLCS Professional Development Seminar
NCSL Strengthens Bipartisanship
Every state legislator and staffer is a member of the organization and has complete access to the latest in bipartisan policy research, training resources and technical assistance tailored specifically to their needs.
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.
