Upcoming Events
The Institute for State Policy Leaders has event programming throughout the year focused on a variety of policy areas. For more information about any of these events, please contact Brian Peterson (bpeterson@statepolicyleaders.org).
State Tax Policy Seminar
The Institute for State Policy Leaders convenes its State Tax Policy Seminar four weeks after the midterm elections and nine days before the federal government runs out of funding.
The continuing resolution signed in September expires December 11, and Congress has not enacted a single one of the twelve appropriations bills. That is not only a federal story. Federal dollars are one of the largest single lines in every state budget, and what Congress decides in those nine days — what it funds, what it cuts, and what it leaves unresolved — sets the number states are working with when sessions open in January.
Over a day and a half, legislators from both parties sit down with revenue officials, academics, and private sector practitioners to work through it. Sessions are closed-door and off the record under Chatham House Rules: participants may use what they hear, but may not attribute it to any speaker or attendee. No press, no prepared remarks, and no cameras.
On the agenda
State fiscal outlook heading into 2027 — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's Medicaid reductions beginning in FY 2028, the election results, and what both mean for state budgets
The new Congress — what the midterms mean for federal tax and spending policy, and how it reaches state revenue systems
November's state tax referenda and ballot initiatives — what passed, what failed, and what voters signaled
Taxation of data and data centers — incentives, energy costs, and proposals to tax data itself
Surveillance pricing — personalized pricing, the FTC's enforcement posture, and the sales tax administration questions it raises
Telecommunications, broadband, digital advertising, and digital goods
Also under consideration for the preliminary agenda: college sports and NIL taxation; automated enforcement cameras as a revenue source; and the taxation of services.
Who attends
Attendance is limited to approximately 30 state legislators so that the discussion stays substantive and every participant can be heard. Legislators receive up to $1,000 in travel and lodging reimbursement.
Private sector attendance is reserved for sponsors of ISPL's State Tax Initiative. To learn about sponsorship, contact Max Behlke.
Register
Registration for sponsors of the Institute’s State Advisory Council (STAC), Speakers, and Invited Guests: Non-Legislator Registration
Legislator Registration (once capacity is reached, new registrants will be added to the waitlist: Legislator Registration
Questions and sponsorship inquiries: Max Behlke, Deputy Executive Director — mbehlke@statepolicyleaders.org · 571-243-5250
State Tax Policy Seminar
Location:
Arlington, VA
Overview:
The Institute's State Tax Policy Seminars educate state legislators about the intricacies of tax policy. The seminars provide a balanced program, cover a broad range of issues, and feature some of the most important voices in the tax policy arena. The seminars enable legislators to equip themselves with the tools to tackle important developing tax policy issues, enable legislators to share best practices and enhance access to these services for their constituents.
The Seminar will begin with a lunch session at Noon on Thursday, June 25 and will conclude by Noon on Friday, June 26. The Institute will reimburse attendee travel and lodging expenses up to $1,000. Legislators interested in attending should complete this electronic response form as soon as possible.
The seminar will cover a broad range of issues, including:
Interchange Fees on the Sales Tax portion of a transaction
Taxation of Gaming
The Evolution of Economic Nexus
Taxation of Data
Corporate Income Tax
State Tax Enforcement
Digital Goods
Property Taxation
What to expect in Washington D.C. and how that will affect state tax policy
For more information, including how to sponsor ISPL’s tax policy initiative, please email Max Behlke (mbehlke@statepolicyleaders.org).
Webinar: Chaos in College Sports
This webinar will provide state legislators and policy stakeholders with a clear, nonpartisan overview of how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies have transformed college athletics and why the issue increasingly demands state-level attention.
State Tax Policy Seminar
This seminar brings together tax committee chairs and fiscal leaders to discuss evolving issues in state tax systems—from digital services and data to the post-Chevron regulatory environment. Sessions prioritize bipartisan solutions and shared learning across states.
Travel Reimbursement: Up to $1,000
Legislators interested in attending should register here.
Auto Innovation Academy (EV Seminar)
This 2½-day academy will give state legislators a comprehensive understanding of electric vehicle policy, including battery supply chains, charging infrastructure, utility capacity, and the regulatory future of connected and automated mobility. The seminar includes on-track EV testing at the American Center for Mobility.
Travel Reimbursement: Up to $2,000
Electric Transmission Policy Seminar
This program will explore the most pressing energy infrastructure issue of our time: how to modernize the electric grid. Sessions will focus on grid reliability, permitting reform, utility investment, and regional coordination—at a time when states play an increasingly central role.
Travel Reimbursement: Up to $1,700
A few spots remain. Legislators interested in attending should register here ASAP!
Financial Services and Electronic Payments Policy Seminar
Location:
Arlington, VA
Overview:
While everyone knows how to swipe a credit card, hardly anyone knows how they actually work. The relationship between merchants, payment networks, financial institutions, and payment processors is complex, as are the incumbent policy issues. Given the amount of activity in statehouses in recent years regarding financial services and payments, there is an obvious need for a forum where state policymakers can learn and address the current and emerging issues in this rapidly changing landscape.
The Seminar will begin with a lunch session at Noon on Wednesday, June 25 and will conclude by 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 26.The Institute will reimburse attendee travel and lodging expenses up to $1,000.Legislators interested in attending should complete this electronic response form as soon as possible.
This meeting will educate policymakers about the financial services and payments industries on topics that include:
Payments 101: How do card networks operate?
Merchant Discount and Interchange Fees
Cryptocurrency
FinTech
Fraud
Security & Privacy
Accessibility to Financial Services
Cable Broadband Academy
Atlanta, GA
This academy educates state legislators about cable and broadband technology and associated regulatory and policy issues. The seminar provides a balanced program across a broad range of topics and features the most important voices in the cable and broadband world. It will convene in conjunction with the SCTE TechExpo 2024. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit the TechExpo Showfloor to see the latest video and broadband technology and services.
Auto Innovation Academy
Atlanta, GA
This seminar is designed for a limited group of state policy leaders to hear from leading technology and policy experts on the frontlines of the transition to electric vehicles (EV) and will provide the fundamentals of electric vehicle policy and how to build a comprehensive state ecosystem for an electrified future.
Tax Academy Policy Seminar
Arlington, VA
This seminar will enable legislators to equip themselves with the tools to tackle important developing tax policy issues, enable legislators to share best practices, and enhance access to these services for their constituents. The balanced program covers a broad range of issues and features some of the most important voices in the state tax policy arena. The Tax Academy Policy Seminar is open to members of the Institute's State Tax Advisory Council (STAC) and invited state legislators.
Tax Policy Seminar
The Institute's State Tax Policy Seminars educate state legislators about the intricacies of tax policy.
Evidence Based Policy Academy: Criminal Justice
In partnership with Arnold Ventures, the Institute has designed a program on Criminal Justice exclusively for Michigan state legislators.
Evidence Based Policy Academy: Health Care
In partnership with Arnold Ventures, the Institute has designed a seminar on comprehensive health care reform exclusively for Pennsylvania state legislators.
Cable Broadband Academy
The Cable Broadband Academy sponsored by the Institute in partnership with the Cable and Internet Association educates state legislators about cable and broadband technology and associated regulatory and policy issues.
Auto Innovation Academy: Electric Vehicle Seminar
This two-and-a-half-day seminar brings together a limited group of state policy leaders to hear from leading technology and policy experts on the frontlines of the transition to electric vehicles.