We are pleased to release a new explainer by Michael Stern – legal scholar, author of Point of Order, and former senior counsel in the U.S. House – examining a question that is gaining national relevance:
What authority do state legislatures have to investigate federal agencies and federal activity within their borders?
In State Legislative Investigation of Federal Activities, Stern walks readers through the constitutional and legal framework that shapes state-level inquiries into federal programs. From long-standing oversight principles to complex questions about subpoenas, federal immunity, and intergovernmental conflict, the explainer highlights where state authority is well-established, and where the boundaries remain uncertain.
As states increasingly grapple with the impact of federal actions on budgets, policy, and public services, understanding these oversight tools has never been more important.
This brief, accessible overview is designed for lawmakers, staff, journalists, researchers, and anyone interested in the relationship between state legislatures and the federal government.
👉 Read the full explainer here: