More than 40 legislative leaders from 30-plus states met at the inaugural Assembly of State Legislative Leaders in Columbus, Ohio, this week. The group is calling for a renewed focus on states’ rights. (Photo courtesy of National Conference of State Legislatures)
A new group of bipartisan state legislative leaders issued a declaration at their first meeting calling for a renewed focus on states’ rights and an end to federal intrusion into state laws.
The Assembly of State Legislative Leaders, which includes more than 40 lawmakers from 30 states, unanimously approved a 449-word declaration on the importance of states’ ability to legislate independently.
The document, released on Tuesday at the bipartisan group’s inaugural meeting in Columbus, Ohio, noted that the U.S. Constitution did not create the states, “but rather the states created the Constitution, ratifying a framework in which we would both govern collectively and independently.”
Federalism is a foundational constitutional concept outlining the sharing of power between states and the federal government.
The lawmakers’ declaration says federal agency rules, congressional legislation and executive orders must respect the constitutional division of powers and allow states to pass a diverse array of legislation.
The document says adherence to federalism is the key to “restore the balance between the federal government and state legislatures, ensure collaboration that respects state roles and limits unnecessary federal intrusion into state sovereignty.”
It opposes federal preemption of state laws except when “a direct conflict with the Constitution arises or the issue cannot be effectively addressed at the state level.”
The newly formed group underscores growing tension between the federal government and states.
Last week, for example, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to override state laws regulating artificial intelligence. State lawmakers of both parties said they will continue to file legislation on the issue and push back on the president’s effort.
The National Conference of State Legislatures, which represents state legislatures and legislative staff across the country, helped organize the new group. NCSL in September wrote to federal leaders, citing bipartisan concern about recent federal actions that the group said attempted to undermine the authority of state governments. It opposed a Trump administration review of state laws believed to be overly burdensome for businesses.
This week in Ohio, state lawmakers discussed a variety of issues related to federalism, including Medicaid, education and land management, according to NCSL. Ohio Republican state House Speaker Matt Huffman was elected as presiding officer of the new assembly, with Hawaii Democratic state Senate President Ron Kouchi elected as recording secretary.
“We have accomplished the first of what I hope is a long list of future declarations from state legislative leaders,” Huffman said in a statement. “This meeting was a first of its kind, and I’m hopeful we will continue these conversations across the nation.”
Kouchi characterized the meeting as “a good beginning.”
“I am pleased the top state legislative leaders from both parties were able to come together and have a candid, practical conversation about how we can better preserve and strengthen the role of the states within our constitutional framework,” he said in the statement.
Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@stateline.org.
