On June 11, New Hampshire joined a 10-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), passing a law in which the state mandated efforts to reduce pollution. The Northeastern states in the RGGI have set a region-wide cap on emissions from power plants as part of the initiative's market-based program.

Los Angeles strengthens gang bill

In June, California lawmakers strengthened a bill passed last year that allows Los Angeles city attorneys to seek damages from gangs for their activities. Currently, prosecutors may tap only assets derived from the gangs' criminal activities, such as graffiti, to compensate property owners for damages. The new law authorizes the collection of any gang assets.