The Council of State Governments West

🎤 First Look: Our 2026 keynote speakers are set.   The 79th CSG West Annual Meeting (July 7–10 in Salt Lake City, UT) will feature compelling perspectives from:   • Evy Poumpouras — Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent • Elizabeth Smart — National Child Safety Advocate & Best-Selling Author   We look forward to welcoming Western legislators this summer!   🔗 Explore full biographies for both keynote speakers at the 2026 Annual Meeting site in link

We had such a great experience at last week’s Western Legislative Academy (WLA) that we had to share round two of photo highlights. 📸 Spending three and a half days with 50 legislators from across the West was easily one of the highlights of the year for CSG West. The WLA Class of 2025 brought incredible energy to a milestone year celebrating the program’s 25th anniversary. As we wrap things up for the holidays, thank you to all of the Class of 2025 members & faculty — and wishing you a fantastic holiday season. ✨ See you in 2026! Photos by Patricia Villalba-Fletes. Swipe for more moments from an unforgettable week →

We’re entering the final stretch of this year’s Western Legislative Academy (WLA), and wow — what a class! This year’s cohort brought incredible energy and curiosity to the 25th anniversary of this program, making an already special program even more memorable. Since 2001, more than 1,000 state legislators have graduated from WLA — and it’s an honor to be part of that journey. A heartfelt thank you to the partners and sponsors who made this year’s program possible: @el_pomar • @caseyprograms • @fmedicalcare • @phrma • @att • Altria • @aga_natgas • @genentech • McLane • Metrc • @onpointcu • @pfizerinc • RELX • @wellsfargo • @philips • Stripe 🎥 3½ days of the Western Legislative Academy—captured in 60 seconds or less!

Our session preview series continues — this time focusing on one of the defining challenges facing the Western region. 🔥 Building Wildfire Resilience: Coordinated Strategies for Communities, Utilities, and Land 📅 Friday, July 10 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM 📍 CSG West Annual Meeting | Salt Lake City, Utah | July 7–10, 2026 Western states are confronting a new era of wildfire marked by dramatic increases in both frequency and severity, creating growing risks for communities, critical infrastructure, and irreplaceable natural resources. Meeting this moment requires coordinated, strategic action that transcends state lines and institutional silos. Anchored by CSG West’s Forging a Resilient West project, this session will equip legislators with policy strategies aimed at reducing wildfire risk — with a focus on home hardening, land management, insurance reform, and emerging technology solutions. We’re proud to have Oregon Senator David Brock Smith and Nevada Assemblymember Howard Watts serving as Co-Chairs of the Wildfire & Disaster Preparedness Committee. 🔗 Registration info in bio. #csgwest2026 #westernstates #wildfireresilience #wildfirepolicy #landmanagement

This week’s Intern Spotlight highlights Eloisa Dominguez-Olea and her work with the Council of State Governments West! 🌟 Eloisa has gained valuable experience in state government and nonpartisan leadership while proudly representing Sacramento State. 💚 #sacstate #futureleaders

3 days left to apply for the 2026 Western Legislative Academy! WLA brings together western state legislators in their first four years of service for an immersive, multi-day leadership training experience — built to sharpen the skills that matter most in today’s legislative environment. 🗓️ December 15–18, 2026 📍 Colorado Springs, CO 25 years strong and still the West’s premier legislative leadership program. Know a colleague in their first four years who’s ready to level up? Tag them or share this post. 🔗 Link in bio to apply — deadline is this Friday, May 1.

Our policy session preview series continues!⚡ Next up… the CSG West Energy & The Grid Committee:   💡 Powering the West: Meeting the Moment and Scale of the Region’s Energy Needs Through Natural Gas and Transmission Lines
📅 Thursday, July 9 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Salt Lake City, Utah | July 7–10, 2026 Global energy demands are skyrocketing, and Western states are navigating complex, fast-changing supply and demand dynamics — all while working to ensure reliability, affordability, and safety for their residents.   This session will examine the role of natural gas to meet the region’s needs and of the existing challenges to modernize our region’s transmission lines. Discussion will highlight key policy considerations, including siting, permitting, regional coordination, investment strategies, and the role of state legislatures.
  We’re proud to have Representative Maxine Dibert (Alaska) and Senator Dan Dockstader (Wyoming) serving as Committee Co-Chairs for this important conversation. @rep_maxine_dibert   🔗 Registration info in bio 
#energypolicy #naturalgas #powergrid #westernstates #csgwest2026

Statement from California Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson, 2026 CSG National Chair, in Remembrance of Washington Sen. Sam Hunt, 2022 CSG National Chair and 2017 CSG West Chair: It is with heavy hearts that The Council of State Governments remembers Sen. Sam Hunt, a treasured friend, trusted colleague and devoted public servant whose legacy will be felt for generations. Sam was a dedicated public servant who believed deeply in the responsibility of governing and the importance of bringing people together to serve the public good. He often described the privilege of elected office as being "inside the door rather than outside" — the unique honor of casting a vote rather than seeking to influence one. Throughout his career, he earned the respect of colleagues across party lines through his steady leadership, thoughtful approach and commitment to strengthening state government. Read the full statement: /.../remembering-washington-sen-sam.../

Our session preview series continues for the 2026 CSG West Annual Meeting! 🌐 Next up — the CSG West Technology & The Future of Work Committee:   💻 Governing Data Centers and Preparing for Quantum | Next-Generation Tech, Real-World Impacts 📅 Thursday, July 9 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM 📍 Salt Lake City, Utah | July 7–10, 2026   Western states are leading the country in technological growth — and with that comes real policy challenges legislators can’t afford to ignore. From data center water and energy demands to the economic, cybersecurity, and workforce disruptions of quantum computing, this session delivers practical frameworks and expert insight to help state leaders stay ahead of the curve.   We’re honored to have Senator Catherine Blakespear (California) and Representative Justin Wilmeth (Arizona) serving as Committee Co-Chairs. @senatorblakespear @justinwilmethaz   🔗 Link in bio to register for the 2026 CSG West Annual Meeting!   #csgwest2026 #datacenters #techpolicy #quantumcomputing #futureofwork

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing previews of the policy committee sessions coming to the 2026 CSG West Annual Meeting — open to all attendees and covering a full range of issues central to Western states. We’ve got a truly wonderful lineup taking shape.   Kicking it off with the CSG West Health & Human Services Committee: 💰 Following the Money: Legislative Oversight of Rural Health Transformation Funding  📅 Wednesday, July 8 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM 📍 Salt Lake City, Utah | July 7–10, 2026   $50 billion in federal dollars is flowing into rural health infrastructure — and legislators need the right tools to make sure those funds reach the communities that need them most. Featuring Ben Eikey from the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, this session dives into practical oversight strategies for tracking grant dollars, closing accountability gaps, and driving real outcomes across the West.   Co-chaired by Rep. Matt Soper (CO) and Rep. My Linh Thai (WA) matt.soper.colorado @votemylinhthai   🔗 Registration link in bio.   See you in Salt Lake City!   #ruralhealth #healthpolicy #legislativeoversight #westernstates #csgwest2026

We’re excited to announce the first Chair’s Forum of the 2026 CSG West Annual Meeting! 🌟 In partnership with Casey Family Programs @caseyprograms Safe at Home: Strategies to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Wednesday, July 8 · 8:30–10:00 AM This interactive forum will bring together legislators and policymakers to explore research-backed strategies that keep children safely at home with their families — including kin-first placements, timely permanency, and community partnerships that strengthen families across the West. Join us in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 7–10 for this and much more. 🏔️ 🔗 Registration info in bio. #CSGWest2026 #AnnualMeeting #ChildWelfare #CaseyFamilyPrograms #StatePolicy

Washington’s 2026 legislative session produced several notable developments in wildfire policy. 🔥 We’ve added a new session briefing to our Forging a Resilient West dashboard, spotlighting wildfire legislation: from Washington state:   ➡️ Wildfire mitigation funding ➡️ Aviation resources for local and tribal fire departments ➡️ Home hardening standards ➡️ Electric transmission infrastructure.
  The dashboard offers daily-updated bill tracking, bill comparisons, and policy briefings designed to keep Western policymakers informed.
  🔗 View the link in bio to see what’s moving in Washington and view the dashboard to explore wildfire policy across the West. #WildfirePolicy