Bloomberg Government's 2025 State Policy Watchlist tracks five important areas where states are making new laws this year. Since the federal government has been slow to act, states are stepping up to solve problems. The five key areas are: 1) Privacy protection laws to keep personal information safe online (20 states now have these), 2) AI regulation to make sure computer programs treat people fairly in jobs and housing decisions, 3) Cost-of-living reforms led by California to make housing and healthcare more affordable, 4) Big tech crackdowns with New York creating new rules to limit tech company power, and 5) Pay transparency laws requiring companies to show salary ranges in job postings.
These state actions matter because when many states do something, the federal government often follows. The report helps people understand what's changing in state laws and why it affects their communities. Companies need to follow different rules in each state and prepare for possible federal changes later.