As the 2025 legislative cycle approaches, legislators across the South prepare and pre-file legislation to address emerging and relevant policy issues in their states. With its regional focus, the Southern Office of The Council of State Governments (CSG South) is uniquely positioned to identify and analyze current and emerging policy issues. CSG South’s Policy Team prepared this report, which previews issues and trends anticipated to emerge during the 2025 legislative term. State actions referenced in this report may represent appropriate policy options for Southern lawmakers to consider and, as such, may include bills or policies originating outside the CSG South region.
Current and emerging trends identified under the purview of CSG South’s six standing policy committees, which are relevant to policymakers across the South, are explored. The Agriculture and Rural Development preview discusses rural broadband access, the shrinking agricultural workforce and available farmland, the impact of the veterinarian shortage in rural communities, expanding end-uses for timber, and THC regulation, while the Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs preview examines issues related to delivery fees on retail deliveries, tax options for electric vehicle charging, funding resilient infrastructure, workforce housing, and investing in the creator economy. In Education policy, cellphone bans in schools, solutions to the bus driver shortage, efficiencies in the higher education application process, and the impact of artificial intelligence on student media literacy are trends to watch for the 2025 legislative term, while ensuring adequate baseload, data center regulation, domestic lithium mining, and the proliferation of “forever chemicals” are important issues in the Energy and Environment arena. The Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations preview discusses the mounting investor-owned housing crisis, business courts, citizen data protection, and the implication of cash mandates, while the Human Services and Public Safety preview examines mental health challenges posed by social media, innovative measures to expand healthcare access, updates to mental health legislation, and policies to smooth reentry pathways for incarcerated individuals.
Additional information about these or other issues emerging in 2025 is available by contacting CSG South. Our policy team is available throughout the year to provide expert assistance on various policy issues important to state legislators and can leverage the organization’s resources to provide additional support to lawmakers and staff.
CLICK HERE TO READ ISSUES TO WATCH 2025