State law changes and funding shifts highlighted by Rep. Janice Zahn

Representative Janice Zahn updated the Beaux Arts Village Town Council on several outcomes from the 2026 legislative session and flagged measures likely to return in future sessions. She told the council that legislation was revised to repeal inadvertently included new sales taxes on nonprofits, school districts and libraries, and that lawmakers created a workgroup to develop definitions and regulation for electric motorcycles. Zahn also noted passage of a law requiring AI chatbots to disclose that they are AI and a new statute permitting certain electric-vehicle manufacturers to sell directly to consumers rather than through independent dealers.

Zahn said privacy- and youth-related proposals—bills to restrict social media for minors and to ban cell phones in schools—did not pass this session but are expected to resurface. She said she worked to oppose a $75 million sweep of the Public Works Assistance Account but that the sweep passed; she also noted $800 million in bonds were authorized for transportation preservation and maintenance. Councilmembers asked Zahn to follow up on an ongoing Comp Plan review issue with the Department of Commerce; Clerk/Treasurer Amy Myhre will provide Zahn with the town’s Commerce contact information so the representative can investigate further.

The update provided local officials with immediate policy context for infrastructure and technology items the town has discussed; Zahn’s overview also identified state funding changes that could affect small cities’ transportation planning and grant availability.