How do state-level bills resisting national policies fare in legislative outcomes?

This study examines over 5,000 pieces of US state legislation addressing federalism conflicts. We find that bills explicitly challenging federal authority face more resistance and slower progress toward enactment compared to those without such implications.

🔍 Data & Methods

A comprehensive database of state-level proposals was analyzed using multiple regression techniques.

📊 Key Findings

• Bills resisting federal authority directly are less likely to become law than neutral ones.

• Different resistance strategies yield varied legislative success rates:

• Working within existing legal frameworks shows higher enactment likelihood (e.g., states incorporating federal mandates).
• Attempts to nullify national laws or refuse cooperation have significantly lower passage rates.

💡 Why It Matters

This research demonstrates that bill content, specifically the degree of conflict with federal authority, is a crucial factor in US intergovernmental relations. Our findings highlight how state-level policy resistance manifests differently and offers insights for scholars studying legislative power dynamics.