2008 state legislative issues forecast.(insession)

The following issues affecting commercial real estate practitioners are expected to be priorities this year:

* Health Insurance. Congress has not passed healthcare reform. In response, states are working to address the health insurance crisis. One in six Americans is uninsured. Some states may follow Massachusetts and Vermont's path by enacting near universal healthcare coverage.

* Immigration. The president and congress have been unable to come to an agreement on immigration reform and they are unlikely to agree before the fall election. State legislatures passed a record number of bills in 2007 related to immigration and employment, healthcare, identification and public benefits. The legislatures are expected to continue to address immigration in 2008.

* Environment. Climate change is a hot topic. To date, 17 states have adopted voluntary or mandatory greenhouse gas emission plans with other states likely to do the same in 2008. Currently, California is disputing the EPA's rejection of its plan to implement stricter standards. For the first time ever, the EPA rejected a state effort to regulate pollution. California is suing the EPA to overturn the decision.

* Water Conservation. The West Coast is not the only area experiencing water problems. Alabama, Florida and Georgia disagree about water allocation due in large part to an ongoing severe drought. Currently, states are trying to create regional agreements. States may pass legislation authorizing municipalities to limit lawn watering.

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