2024 Legislative Summary
EPU is an organization dedicated to advancing racial and class equity in the South. We believe that true equity can only be achieved through intentional, bold actions aimed at dismantling systemic barriers that disproportionately impact historically marginalized and underserved communities. Our work each day is guided by the conviction that we share that everyone in the South should have access to fair and just opportunities, regardless of race, class, or geography. Since its founding in 2018, EPU has operated under the premise that we must confront issues of race and inequity head-on if we are to move forward. Under this premise, we have placed profound emphasis on the advancement of equity as it emerges in our Southern region’s policy landscape.
In 2023, our legislative summary provided an extensive review of legislative measures across our defined policy areas. While informative, we wanted to narrow our focus toa clear set of policy priorities. So, in 2024, we have sharpened our focus by aligning our efforts with 36 defined policy priority areas that reflect our mission and values. These priority areas, which include climate and environment, economic equity, housing, health, immigration, democracy and voting, and the criminal legal system, serve as the foundation for this year’s policy work and guide our recommendations for and collaborations with Southern policymakers. Briefs on each of our priority areas can be found here on our website.
This year’s summary takes a focused approach, directly aligning with our 36 policy priority areas to provide a clear overview of key legislative wins, setbacks, and opportunities across the South. Each section presents an analysis of how recent legislative actions align or are in disharmony with our goals for advancing equity. Beyond reflection, this report offers insights for policymakers, advocates, and community leaders, serving as another tool to drive meaningful change in our region. We aim to reinforce the importance of equity-driven policy and provide a roadmap for progress as we work toward building an ecosystem where racism and inequity cannot thrive.
Legislative Developments by Priority Area
This overview provides a snapshot of the legislative landscape across Southern states in 2024, highlighting the strides made and the work that remains in addressing racial and class equity through state policy. Each priority area reflects the ongoing commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive South where all communities have the resources and opportunities to thrive.
The legislative landscape for climate and environmental policy in the South during 2024 demonstrates both encouraging steps forward and persistent challenges. Notably, successful legislation in states like Louisiana and Virginia highlighted the importance of accessible environmental data, infrastructure accountability, and the integration of renewable energy resources. Louisiana’s new laws supporting community air monitoring and sewerage system accountability mark significant gains in ensuring communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards, have access to accurate information and improved infrastructure quality. Virginia’s advances with the establishment of a Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and the reestablishment of the Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Program indicate a commitment to clean energy innovation and job creation, with a focus on employing local workers in renewable energy projects on previously mined lands.
However, many Southern states saw promising bills fail, such as Florida’s attempt to enhance drinking water resilience and Kentucky’s proposal to constitutionally guarantee a healthy environment, both of which underscore the difficulty in securing broad-based support for environmental protections. Additionally, efforts to build a green workforce, as seen in Tennessee’s unsuccessful Solar Workforce Development Act, highlight a need for greater commitment to fostering green job opportunities in the South. Proposals in Mississippi and West Virginia to enhance drinking water security and expand solar accessibility through community solar programs also failed to gain traction, pointing to persistent gaps in providing affordable, resilient energy options and resource security for vulnerable populations.
The mix of progress and setbacks illustrates that while strides have been made in certain areas, considerable work must still be done to ensure comprehensive access to clean resources, climate-affordable solutions, and sustainable job growth across the South.
The year began with Louisiana’s special session in February focused on crime reform, led by newly-elected Governor Jeff Landry, who prioritized a “tough on crime” agenda. This session underscored a significant regression in the state’s criminal legal system reforms, leading to the passage of House Bill 10, which reversed much of the progressive criminal justice reform enacted under the previous administration. The bill notably increased prison sentences, expanded capital punishment methods to include nitrogen gas and the electric chair, and rolled back the “Raise the Age” law to treat all 17-year-olds as adults, even for misdemeanors. Additionally, it eliminated parole eligibility for most individuals moving forward, effectively extending incarceration times without regard to rehabilitation or reintegration potential. While Louisiana did enact some progressive measures, such as the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program focused on rehabilitative support for justice-involved youth, these efforts were overshadowed by policies likely to increase incarceration rates and disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
Across the broader Southern region, similar trends emerged with a few progressive wins amid pervasive setbacks. States like Georgia made strides in rehabilitative justice for youth through new juvenile treatment court divisions, yet also passed regressive measures by imposing cash bail requirements for numerous minor offenses, effectively criminalizing poverty and undercutting bail reform efforts. In decriminalization, South Carolina and North Carolina introduced cannabis reform bills aimed at reducing penalties and generating economic benefits, but these failed to pass. Moreover, Tennessee’s law restricting local traffic stop policies reversed local efforts to reduce racial profiling. Collectively, these legislative actions highlight the challenges and polarization surrounding criminal legal reform in the South.
The Southern states’ ongoing shift toward punitive measures, particularly in Louisiana, calls for sustained advocacy to center rehabilitation, reduce systemic disparities, and prioritize the mental health and well-being of justice-involved individuals.
In a critical year for elections, democracy and voting issues were widely popular in the Southern legislatures, showing both advancements and setbacks in voting rights and access. This heightened interest clearly reflected the ongoing debates over how to balance voter access with perceived election security that have been consistent since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Shelby County v. Holder but have been amplified in the wake of the 2020 presidential election.
On the positive side, Virginia expanded access by allowing eligible individuals in jail awaiting trial or serving misdemeanor sentences to vote by absentee ballot, and Kentucky improved absentee ballot accessibility, particularly for those traveling or studying away from home. Mississippi also broadened acceptable forms of voter ID, allowing undated or outdated IDs, which can benefit groups such as elderly or unhoused individuals. However, restrictive legislation was also prevalent. Tennessee and Louisiana passed laws limiting voter registration drives, imposing heavy fines or requiring formal registration with the state for those conducting them, which may deter grassroots voter outreach efforts. Similarly, Georgia now imposes additional hurdles on unhoused voters, who must re-register at specific offices, limiting their voting access.
Efforts to restore voting rights for the formerly incarcerated faced challenges. While Mississippi and Tennessee both proposed automatic re-enfranchisement bills, these failed to advance, maintaining the current landscape of restricted rights for many individuals post-incarceration. Although Louisiana saw attempts to reverse rights for people on probation or parole, the bill failed, allowing the 2018 law permitting voting rights under supervision to remain in place.
Broadly, the legislative trends underscore a divided approach in the South: while some states are expanding access and making voting more inclusive, others are implementing stricter voter registration regulations and maintaining disenfranchisement policies. This duality highlights the need for continued advocacy to ensure that Southern states not only broaden voting access but also protect the rights of the formerly incarcerated and vulnerable populations facing barriers to democratic participation.
In 2024, we saw a combination of promising advancements and missed opportunities in the pursuit of economic equity, particularly in workforce development and living wage policies. Georgia and Mississippi led with successful measures aimed at aligning workforce development with high-demand industries. Georgia’s new law mandating an annual high-demand career list and Mississippi’s expanded workforce training, including paid internships in critical fields like rehabilitation services, signal a commitment to building a workforce that meets the current and future needs of their economies. However, many states still struggled to pass legislation that would directly support low-income and marginalized communities. Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia each saw proposed tax credits or working family rebates fail, leaving potential economic relief untapped for low-wage workers and families facing financial strain.
Efforts to promote community reinvestment also faced challenges, with bills in Mississippi and South Carolina aiming to support disadvantaged small businesses and expand access to fresh food in food deserts falling short. These unmet priorities underscore a need for more robust community reinvestment policies that directly address persistent disparities in economic opportunity and access to essentials like food and affordable housing.
While workforce development saw positive movement, the session revealed a gap in comprehensive support for low-wage workers and families, who continue to be impacted by rising costs of living. Moving forward, a concerted push to enact tax credits, expand living wage policies, and establish consistent supplemental support programs across the South will be critical to advancing a truly equitable economic landscape.
In 2024, we witnessed some movement on education reform, particularly in workforce-aligned curriculum initiatives, but also continued to see ongoing challenges in achieving equitable funding and student wellbeing goals. Alabama and Georgia enacted laws to enhance career and technical education (CTE), providing students with opportunities tailored to high-demand careers. Alabama’s Workforce Pathways Act and Georgia’s law on high-demand career alignment exemplify a push towards preparing students for the workforce, highlighting a shift toward career-focused high school pathways that could increase post-graduation opportunities. Florida also passed a new law that supports CTE by funding programs to align with workforce needs, offering exemptions for minors in specific professions.
In contrast, bills aimed at more inclusive, culturally relevant curricula, such as Kentucky’s proposed requirements to include the contributions of the LGBTQ+ in the social studies curriculum, faced significant resistance and failed to pass. Similarly, other proposals in Kentucky and states like Mississippi to reform school funding formulas to better serve low-income and high-need students were unsuccessful, underscoring persistent challenges in achieving equitable school funding in the South. Mississippi also saw a failed effort to integrate mental health education. However, there was some progress related to student wellbeing in Virginia, where new legislation now includes mental health in health education standards. Attempts to prohibit discussions of certain concepts related to diversity, such as in Louisiana and West Virginia, also reflect the ongoing ideological battles over curriculum content.
This year’s legislative sessions reflected both progress and ongoing gaps in advancing health policy priorities such as affordable healthcare, health literacy, access to healthy options, and maternal and pediatric health. Arkansas and Kentucky saw noteworthy gains with legislation supporting maternal health. Arkansas established a Maternal Health Workforce Trust Fund to expand training for obstetricians and midwives, which may help address provider shortages, particularly in underserved areas. Kentucky’s Lifeline for Moms program will support healthcare practitioners treating mothers with mental health needs, marking progress in maternal mental health care. Similarly, Florida took steps toward transparency with the Transparency in Health and Human Services Act, mandating clear and accessible pricing for healthcare services and establishing grievance processes for patients disputing charges, which can help improve health literacy and financial transparency for patients.
However, several bills that would have directly expanded health access in rural and underserved areas failed to pass. Alabama’s proposal to eliminate certificate of need requirements in rural areas, which would have eased market entry for healthcare providers, did not advance, underscoring barriers to healthcare expansion in regions with limited provider options. Mississippi and West Virginia introduced bills aimed at tackling food deserts but neither of these bills received legislative approval. These gaps highlight the persistent need for policies that address health disparities, particularly in areas like food insecurity and healthcare provider access, which impact low-income and rural communities most severely. Overall, while some progress was made in maternal and healthcare transparency initiatives, significant work remains to ensure comprehensive access to healthy options and equitable healthcare across Southern states.
There were some positive developments in housing policy in 2024, particularly around affordable housing and homelessness support, yet a gap remains in energy efficiency and comprehensive housing finance initiatives. Alabama and Tennessee made strides with new laws supporting affordable housing development: Alabama’s Workforce Housing Tax Credit will encourage the construction and rehabilitation of multifamily housing for middle-income earners, while Tennessee’s Attainable Housing Incentive Program enables municipalities to offer incentives to property owners for creating affordable housing units, with restrictions to maintain long-term affordability.
Despite these gains, other essential areas saw setbacks. Bills proposing housing finance relief, such as Florida’s Homeowners’ Assistance Fund to prevent mortgage delinquencies and North Carolina’s recapitalization of the Housing Trust Fund, failed to advance, underscoring a need for stronger financial safety nets for homeowners and renters facing financial hardship. Additionally, energy efficiency measures that are often vital for reducing utility costs and improving sustainability in affordable housing were largely stalled, as seen in the failure of Virginia’s energy efficiency proposal and similar measures in Georgia and West Virginia.
There was limited progress in 2024 toward advancing fair labor standards, healthcare access, educational support, and immigrant integration for immigrant communities. Efforts in Kentucky and Texas to address wage theft through criminalization of acts of wage theft and a public database of offenders failed to pass, indicating continued challenges in protecting immigrant workers from exploitation and enforcing fair labor practices. Virginia saw the failure of House Bill 157, which sought to eliminate minimum wage exemptions for farm laborers and certain foreign workers, underscoring the need for more robust protections for immigrant labor in agriculture, a sector where exploitation is prevalent.
Regarding access to healthcare and education, Virginia’s attempt to expand state-funded healthcare for immigrant children under 19 years old also failed, despite its potential to reduce health disparities for young immigrants. Similarly, West Virginia’s proposed mandate for political subdivisions to track expenditures for noncitizen immigrants signals a trend toward restrictive oversight without meaningful support for integration. Florida’s “Welcoming Florida Act” sought to repeal requirements for employers to terminate undocumented workers and remove hospital requirements to collect immigration status, but also failed, highlighting barriers to fostering more inclusive and supportive environments for immigrants.
These legislative outcomes illustrate that while some states are considering pro-immigrant measures, meaningful support for immigrant labor rights, healthcare, and integration services remains largely unmet across the South. The failures of these bills reveal ongoing resistance to reform in areas critical for immigrant equity, as echoed in the national media and the firestorms surrounding the treatment of Black and brown immigrants in this country, suggesting that substantial advocacy and policy focus will be needed to advance comprehensive immigrant rights and protections in future sessions.
This year’s legislative sessions in the South highlighted challenges in advancing infrastructure policy priorities, especially those tied to clean and green infrastructure, rural development, and sustainable practices. Proposed bills targeting sustainable infrastructure, such as South Carolina’s clean energy and resiliency financing program, would have facilitated low-cost funding for infrastructure improvements in commercial and multi-family properties, with a focus on energy and water sustainability. However, this bill and others with similar goals did not advance, reflecting the difficulty in securing state-level support for environmentally resilient infrastructure initiatives. Rural infrastructure development also saw limited progress, as North Carolina’s proposal for a task force to address wastewater infrastructure and Virginia’s initiative to support electric vehicle charging stations in rural areas both failed, underscoring the ongoing gap in strategic planning for essential services in underserved areas.
Efforts to promote infrastructure reinvestment in economically disadvantaged regions also stalled. Mississippi’s proposed review of infrastructure needs in high-poverty counties would have provided essential guidance for improvement, but its failure reveals a gap in support for low-income areas that often face the brunt of deteriorating infrastructure. Additionally, Florida’s unsuccessful proposal for a Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund indicates missed opportunities for developing cost-efficient, accessible transit solutions. Overall, while there is increasing awareness of the need for sustainable and equitable infrastructure in the South, the lack of legislative action related to infrastructure this session suggests that significant work remains to secure funding, prioritize rural needs, and promote resilience-focused infrastructure across Southern states.
Looking ahead to the 2025 legislative sessions, the South is likely to see renewed debates and initiatives across our priority areas such as economic equity, healthcare access, infrastructure sustainability, and criminal justice reform. In 2024, many bills aimed at advancing equity and expanding access to essential resources faced significant resistance or failed to pass, reflecting the ideological divides that often shape Southern legislatures both in our past and now, unfortunately, in our present time.
In healthcare, the failures of several 2024 bills reveal persistent gaps in support for maternal and pediatric health, rural healthcare expansion, and health literacy improvements. Despite the South’s high rates of maternal mortality, stringent restrictions on reproductive freedom, and food insecurity, measures aimed at addressing these pressing issues, such as maternal health programs and food desert initiatives, struggled to advance. As Southern states continue to confront health disparities exacerbated by limited healthcare access, especially in rural and low-income areas, 2025 may see a renewed push for transparency in healthcare costs, mental health services, and expanded Medicaid coverage. However, political resistance to comprehensive health policies and promises from the conservative wing of politics to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act under a Trump administration suggests that success will likely hinge on targeted, data-driven proposals that highlight the fiscal and social benefits of improved public health access.
Infrastructure and criminal justice reform also stand at a crossroads in the Southern legislative landscape. The failure of multiple infrastructure bills in 2024, from rural electric vehicle charging stations to clean energy financing for properties, points to the difficulty of aligning sustainability goals with existing budgetary priorities and political constraints. Additionally, as states like Louisiana have reverted to more punitive criminal justice measures, advocates will face an uphill battle in pushing for restorative justice policies, decriminalization, and equitable bail reform. With mounting pressure from voters and communities for sustainable infrastructure and more equitable justice systems, 2025 will likely bring both renewed advocacy for green infrastructure and strategic reform measures in criminal justice, though outcomes will largely depend on the ability to balance economic, social, and political priorities across the South’s diverse political landscape.
Conclusion
As we release this 2024 legislative update in the final days leading up to the presidential election, the stakes for democracy and equity across the South have never been higher. This election will not only determine the direction of national policy but also deeply influence the political landscape and priorities within Southern legislatures in 2025. This year’s legislative sessions saw both progress and persistent challenges in key areas that are important to EPU and that we believe have a great ability to move the needle on a more just, equitable, and inclusiveSouth. While workforce development and affordable housing initiatives moved forward, crucial efforts to expand voting rights, address food insecurity, and implement sustainable infrastructure faced significant barriers. With democracy on the line, the outcome of this election could either galvanize regional efforts to prioritize equity-driven policies or further entrench resistance to these reforms.
The direction of federal policy in the coming year could shape the ambition and feasibility of legislative agendas in Southern states. An administration prioritizing economic security, climate action, and voting access could empower Southern lawmakers to pursue more comprehensive reforms that align with these values. Conversely, a more conservative federal approach might reinforce existing divides, prompting advocates to pursue incremental, locally driven solutions within limited parameters. Regardless of the outcome, E Pluribus Unum remains dedicated to advancing policies that protect democracy and promote racial and economic equity, and we will continue to monitor and support legislative efforts that build a fairer and more inclusive South.
