The Ohio Drug Price Relief Act is expected to appear on the ballot in November, 2017.

The proposed initiated statute would prohibit the state from purchasing a prescription drug unless the net cost of the drug is equal to or less than the lowest price paid for the drug by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA).

It could directly impact more than 4 million individuals served by state programs including those on Medicaid, individuals participating in state retirement programs, and those receiving care through other state programs such as the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) commissioned Vorys Health Care Advisors (VHCA) and Health Management Associates (HMA) to create an independent and objective analysis of the potential impact of the proposed act.

Results of the analysis show it is highly unlikely the proposed act could be effectively implemented; moreover, it is highly likely it would fail to achieve its purpose and negatively impact non-targeted entities via increased prescription drug costs and limited availability of certain medications.

The New Mexico Legislature adjourned sine die on March 18, 2017.

House Joint Resolution 8, which creates an independent ethics commission, passed both houses and will be placed on the 2018 general election ballot for voter approval.

Senate Bill 393, a bill requiring lobbyists to disclose the cumulative total of expenditures under $100, passed both houses and Gov. Susana Martinez has until April 7, 2017, to sign the bill into law.

On March 16, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) held a hearing on the possible adoption of a regulation to change the test for when a candidate controls a political committee.

Leaders of the Democratic and Republican caucuses of the state Senate and Assembly oppose the proposed regulation as creating a vague and uncertain test for whether a committee is controlled by a candidate.

One of the most contested features of the regulation is a provision that would determine a candidate controls a committee if the candidate raises an “extensive” amount of money for the committee.

FPPC staff decided to take legislators’ concerns into consideration, delaying action on the proposed regulation until next month to allow time for changes.

On March 17, a three-judge panel ruled that the North Carolina General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted Senate Bill 4 establishing a bipartisan board to oversee elections and consider ethics complaints and issues.

The ruling held that lawmakers violated the separation of powers in trying to take control over appointments in the governor’s administration.

Prior to Senate Bill 4, the State Board of Elections and State Ethics Commission were separate entities and the governor had the power to appoint a majority from his own party to preside over elections. Lawmakers could appeal the decision.

Campaign Finance

Democrats to Probe Gorsuch Views on Campaign Finance by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Colorado: Colorado Democrats Propose Reforms to Shed More Light on Political ‘Dark Money’ by Brian Eason for Denver Post

Iowa: $43 million in 4 Years: Exclusive analysis tracks Iowa campaign contributions by Jason Noble for Des Moines Register

New York: No Charges, but Harsh Criticism for Mayor de Blasio by William Rashbaum for New York Times

Ethics

Documents: Office of Government Ethics, Trump team reached détente by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

New Mexico: Voters Will Decide Future of State Ethics Commission Proposal by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe New Mexican) for New Mexico Politics

Oklahoma: Conservative Oklahoma Senator Charged with Three Felonies after Child Prostitution Investigation by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Pennsylvania: Nutter Overruled His Inspector General to Spare a Key City Hall Adviser by David Gambacorda, Claudia Vargas, and Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer

South Carolina: Veteran State Sen. Courson of Columbia Suspended from Office after Misconduct Indictment by John Monk for The State

Legislative Issues

North Carolina: Judges Issue Split Ruling on NC Governor-Legislature Power Struggle by Anne Blythe (Raleigh News and Observer) for Charlotte Observer

Top Montana legislators canceled a meeting this week to nominate a new Commissioner of Political Practices when an agreement could not be reached.

In a meeting held last week, members of the bipartisan House and Senate leadership committee, tasked at nominating candidates for approval by the governor, were only able to agree on one nominee out of seven applicants.

By law, two nominations are required before Gov. Steve Bullock can approve a potential candidate. If no decision is reached by the committee, Gov. Bullock may choose a replacement who must then be confirmed by the Senate.

The search for a new commissioner is happening concurrently with a legislative session where Republican lawmakers are trying to eliminate the office and position.

House Bill 340, aimed at dismantling the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, passed in the House last month and has been referred to committee for review in the Senate.

A bill creating an independent ethics commission has been approved by the New Mexico legislature.

House Joint Resolution 8 (HJR 8) seeks to amend the state constitution and establish a state ethics commission.

The ethics commission would oversee complaints against public officials, both in the legislative and executive branches, as well as lobbyist and government contractors.

The proposed amendment will be placed on the 2018 general election ballot for voter approval.

On March 14, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut adjourned its 2017 Winter Sitting.

Bills considered by lawmakers included amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, the Inuit Language Protection Act, and the Human Rights Act.

The Assembly meets each year for a Winter Sitting, a Spring Sitting, and a Fall Sitting in October.

The legislature will reconvene for its Spring Sitting on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at 1:30 p.m.

Oklahoma Sen. Ralph Shortey has been charged with engaging in child prostitution, transporting a minor for prostitution, and engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church. Police found him inside a motel room with a 17-year-old boy.

The Oklahoma Senate imposed sanctions on Shortey, accusing him of disorderly behavior.

The sanctions remove him from membership in and leadership of legislative committees, prohibits him from occupying his office or parking space, eliminates his expense allowance, prevents him from authoring any bills, and removes his right to an executive assistant.

The legislative body also reserved the right to take further action if, and when, additional facts are made available.

Beverlye Brady has been appointed to the Alabama Ethics Commission by Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey.

Brady, a practicing attorney with more than 30 years of experience, was a founding member of the Lee county Indigent Defense Commission.

Brady’s term is effective immediately and will expire on August 31, 2021.

On March 14, Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed Senate Bill 54 into law. The bill revises many requirements dealing with campaign finance to strengthen campaign finance laws after the repeal of Initiated Measure 22.

Senate Bill 54 will allow organizations, such as corporations and labor unions, to contribute directly to candidates. The measure also restricts candidates from using campaign funds for personal expense.

Senate Bill 54 was initially introduced with provisions to lower contribution limits; however, those provisions were amended prior to the bill’s passage to reflect pre-Initiated Measure 22 limits.

The Kentucky Legislature passed a bill this week to double the limits on contributions from individuals and PACs to candidates, state executive committees, and caucus campaign committees.

Senate Bill 75, according to supporters, provides greater transparency and will make it easier for everyday citizens to compete with dark money while running for office.

Opponents, however, believe the focus should be on curbing dark money and adding more money to the equation will further erode public trust.

Nonetheless, the bill will now be sent to the governor for review.

A great, big thank you to Elizabeth Bartz for treating the staff to an amazing array of delicious pies in honor of Pi Day, March 14! As you can see, we have been enjoying them.

These superb pies came from Gardner’s Pies of Akron.

Two special elections will take place on April 25, 2017, to fill vacancies in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

Gov. Dannel Malloy announced the elections for Assembly Districts 7 and 68 after the incumbents, Rep. Doug McCrory and Rep. Eric Berthel, won seats in the Senate during a special election on February 28.

District 7 consists of portions of Hartford, while District 68 contains Waterbury and part of Woodbury.