Setting the scene for 2016: from opioid addiction to fantasy sports, state lawmakers will have plenty on their plates this year - no matter who occupies the White House.

• Author: Lays, Julie
• Position: Policy

A few things we know for sure. In 2016, political pundits and pollsters will focus Americans' attention on presidential politics. The candidates--whoever they turn out to be--will tell us what "the American people" want before we know ourselves. The race indeed is extremely important. Who occupies the White House can have a huge effect on the states. But beyond all the hyper-analysis and grandiose claims that accompany a bid for the White House are 7,383 state lawmakers, most of whom face elections in the fall as well. Before the election, they will be working, making the hard policy decisions that matter most to "the American people," searching for solutions outside the box, finding ways to stream-line and save, and getting things done.

What can lawmakers expect? This year, 46 legislatures will convene, and as in most years, lawmakers will search for ways to balance the budget (constitutionally required in two states but practiced in 49), stimulate the economy, create new jobs, improve governmental efficiency, cut costs and maintain the infrastructure with fewer revenues. They will discuss how to improve the quality of our nation's K-12 education system, recruit and keep good teachers and control the costs of college. Pensions, corrections and energy will come up as well.

And finally, there's health care. Medicaid eats up more than a quarter of state budgets and continues to be a perennial topic of legislative debate.

The new president may change the tone or direction of these evergreen policy topics, but all have a reserved seat at most legislative tables.

For the last few years, our list has focused on the top 10 emerging issues, and it will again in 2016. These are the issues, according to NCSL's policy analysts, that are gaining steam--some prompted by upcoming federal deadlines, but not all. Emerging issues can become big quickly. In fact, most topics on our list from last year remain hot, including marijuana, community/police relations and e-cigarettes.

1. Clean Power Plan

   The Environmental Protection Agency's new rules require states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by an average of 32 percent nationally by 2030. The rules, created under 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, are likely to require legislative action. States can choose to reduce emissions however they see fit, and have the option to comply individually or in coordination with other states. Their compliance plans are due in September; that is, if the federal law survives legal challenges filed by more than half the states. They claim the EPA over-reached its authority and that the plan would harm the many states that depend on coal to power their economies. Several states are requiring legislative approval of the state plan or a report or study of the potential impact the regulations could have on affordable power, reliability and consumers, as well as the feasibility of compliance. Whether working toward its goals or challenging its requirements, state lawmakers will come up against 111(d) sometime this year.

2. Opioid Addiction

   Heroin-related deaths nearly quadrupled between 2002 and 2013...