Council of State Governments (CSG)

Background

The Council of State Governments is a nonpartisan organization that supports elected and appointed officials within all branches of state governments across the country. It was founded in 1933 by former Colorado state Sen. Henry W. Toll. It offers opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate, and create solutions to state-level issues at the regional and national levels. ^{1 3}

Members represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of American Samoa, the Territory of Guam, the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. ² CSG is organized with a governing board, an executive committee, a leadership council, four regional offices, the Justice Center, and several committees. ⁴ Its CSG Justice Center is located in New York City. ⁵

CSG’s main source of funding is annual dues paid by state and territorial governments. ⁶

One of its core principles is the concept of federalism which preserves state authority, limits federal intrusion, and strengthens federal-state relations. It recognizes the many important national responsibilities of the federal government but indicates that many challenges can be better addressed at the state levels and that constitutional boundaries should be respected. ⁷

Work Areas

The Council of State Governments maintains four regions. It advocates for collaboration across states for networking, problem solving, and the exchange of information and ideas. It researches major issues facing state government to develop solutions. It provides training and development opportunities for state officials and legislators and engages in leadership development. It supports collaboration across the branches of state governments. It monitors the state of the nation and it “promotes the sovereignty of the states and advocates their interests in the American federal system.” ⁸

The CSG’s National Center for Interstate Compacts focuses on collaborating across states to enact interstate compacts that encourage consistent cross-state policies on issues such as licensing and health care reporting. ⁹

The Council of State Governments hosts an annual CSG National Conference for state leaders from all three branches of government to network and share ideas and solutions to policy issues impacting the states. ¹⁰ Other events at the national level include convenings on specific topics such as emerging technologies and public health policy. Each region hosts an annual meeting as well as legislative and leadership development training. ¹¹

The CSG Henry Toll Fellowship is a national leadership development program for state government officials from all three branches. It is a five-day program that takes place annually in Lexington, Kentucky. ¹²

The Council of State Governments publishes the Book of the States, a comprehensive digital resource with detailed information on how every state, territory, and commonwealth in the United States is governed. It includes information on state constitutions, legislative structures, governors and executive officials, judicial systems, state finance, administrative agencies, and comparative data across all states. ¹³ It publishes Capitol Ideas digitally four times a year, providing updated information impacting the states. ¹⁴

Affiliated Organizations

The Council of State Governments is a member of the Big Seven State and Local Government Organizations, or the Big Seven, made up of the nation’s seven principal state and local government organizations. Other members of the coalition are the National Governors Association, the National Association of Counties, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National League of Cities, the International City/County Management Association, and the US Conference of Mayors. ¹⁵

In April 2026, the Big Seven convened for a State and Local Leadership Summit in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to discuss “the future of American federalism and intergovernmental collaboration” and to reaffirm their commitment to these ideals. ¹⁵

The CSG lists 10 national organizations of state officials that it works with on an ongoing official basis. These affiliates include the American Probation and Parole Association, the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies, the National Association of State Technology Directors, the National Emergency Management Association, and Women in Government. ¹⁶

Advocacy

In September 2025, the Council of State Governments along with the Big Seven coalition sent a letter to Congress urging the federal legislature to reauthorize the State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program. ¹⁷

In November 2025, the Big Seven coalition wrote a letter to Congress urging congressional leaders to end a federal government shutdown immediately. The letter stated that federal shutdowns create an escalating risk for state and local organizations nationwide since many federal responsibilities shift to state and local governments. ¹⁸

In January 2026, the coalition wrote a letter to Congress indicating that the food stamp program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) was at risk due to how the federal cost-sharing rules were applied using distorted data from the 2025 federal shutdown, resulting in cost increases for the states. They are urging Congress to delay any new cost shares until 2030. ¹⁹

Leadership

As of 2026, former Kansas Republican legislator David Adkins was the executive director and CEO of the Council of State Governments; Hawaii Governor Josh Green (D) was the CSG national president, California State Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) was the CSG national chair, Tennessee state Rep. Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) was the CSG national chair-elect, Illinois state Sen. Elgie R. Sims (D-Chicago) was the CSG immediate past national chair, and Puerto Rico Sen. Carmelo Rios (New Progressive Party-Bayamon) was the CSG national vice chair. ^{20 21}