March 8, 2023 •
Alabama Governor Ivey Calls Special Session
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a special session during her State of the State address on March 7. This session will begin March 8 and will focus on allocating the remaining $1.1 billion in federal funds from the American Rescue […]
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a special session during her State of the State address on March 7.
This session will begin March 8 and will focus on allocating the remaining $1.1 billion in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan.
Among the issues to be covered will be how to both pay debts and invest in broadband and water infrastructure projects.
January 19, 2023 •
New Ohio Ethics Bill Requires Lobbyist Compensation Disclosure
Republican state lawmakers announced a new ethics bill titled the Ohio Ethics and Financial Disclosure Reform Act. The bill would require all lobbying income to be reported and sourced directly to the clients they represent. The bill would also prohibit […]
Republican state lawmakers announced a new ethics bill titled the Ohio Ethics and Financial Disclosure Reform Act.
The bill would require all lobbying income to be reported and sourced directly to the clients they represent.
The bill would also prohibit elected officials from getting paid to serve on corporate boards unless the seat was held prior to taking office and the official has ownership in the corporation.
Nominees hoping to serve on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will have to disclose any income, previous business relationships, or ties to entities regulated by the PUC.
The bill does not have a number and has not been formally introduced.
January 9, 2023 •
Call for Special Session in Pennsylvania
Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a special session of the General Assembly to begin Monday, January 9. Both chambers have been called back to Harrisburg to consider a proposed amendment to Pennsylvania’s constitution seeking to aid survivors of child sexual abuse. […]
Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a special session of the General Assembly to begin Monday, January 9.
Both chambers have been called back to Harrisburg to consider a proposed amendment to Pennsylvania’s constitution seeking to aid survivors of child sexual abuse.
Lawmakers have until January 27 to act on the amendment in order for it to make it onto the May primary ballot.
January 6, 2023 •
New Ethics Training Requirements in New York
New York has expanded the ethics training requirements as part of the new Ethics Reform Act of 2022. Lobbyists, contractual clients, and beneficial clients will now be required to take the new Ethics for Lobbyists and Clients online course available […]
New York has expanded the ethics training requirements as part of the new Ethics Reform Act of 2022.
Lobbyists, contractual clients, and beneficial clients will now be required to take the new Ethics for Lobbyists and Clients online course available January 18.
For purposes of training compliance by organizations, the chief administrative officer is responsible for taking the training on behalf of the organization.
Those registered before the course launch will have until March 18 to complete training.
In order to avoid duplicate training, co-lobbyists and sub-lobbyists listed on a 2023-2024 Statement of Registration will not be required to take the training until they submit their own registration.
August 12, 2022 •
Arkansas Special Session Adjourns
Arkansas lawmakers adjourned from their special session on August 11. Legislation passed includes an expedited process for corporate and individual tax cuts. The Legislature also approved an appropriation of $50 million for a school safety grant. This does affect lobbying […]
Arkansas lawmakers adjourned from their special session on August 11.
Legislation passed includes an expedited process for corporate and individual tax cuts.
The Legislature also approved an appropriation of $50 million for a school safety grant.
This does affect lobbying reporting.
The August special session triggered a lobbyist activity report due September 10.
June 2, 2022 •
Ohio State Senator Resigns
Ohio State Sen. Sandra Williams announced her resignation this week to take a position in the public sector two months before the end of her term. Along with resigning from the 21st Senate District seat, Williams has also withdrawn her […]
Ohio State Sen. Sandra Williams announced her resignation this week to take a position in the public sector two months before the end of her term.
Along with resigning from the 21st Senate District seat, Williams has also withdrawn her name as a candidate for Ohio’s 18th House District.
The resignation will go into effect on Monday, June 6, and will not trigger a special election in the state.
May 13, 2022 •
South Carolina Legislature Adjourns
The South Carolina Legislature adjourned on Thursday, May 12. Passed bills included early voting procedures and expanded access to birth control. The Legislature will meet again in a special session scheduled to be held June 15 focusing on the state […]
The South Carolina Legislature adjourned on Thursday, May 12.
Passed bills included early voting procedures and expanded access to birth control.
The Legislature will meet again in a special session scheduled to be held June 15 focusing on the state budget and any bills vetoed by the governor.
May 2, 2022 •
Tennessee Lawmakers Pass Campaign Finance Bill
Last week Tennessee lawmakers overwhelmingly passed House Bill 1201, which requires 501(c)4 organizations to disclose any expenses over $5,000 in the 60 days leading up to an election when using candidate names and images. The bill seeks to create more […]
Last week Tennessee lawmakers overwhelmingly passed House Bill 1201, which requires 501(c)4 organizations to disclose any expenses over $5,000 in the 60 days leading up to an election when using candidate names and images.
The bill seeks to create more transparency for dark-money groups and enhances disclosure laws around campaign service companies.
The bill now goes to Gov. Bill Lee for approval.
April 27, 2022 •
Florida Special Session Called
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for a special session to consider legislation related to property insurance. This session will convene on May 23 and adjourn no later than May 27. The main purpose of the special session is to […]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for a special session to consider legislation related to property insurance.
This session will convene on May 23 and adjourn no later than May 27.
The main purpose of the special session is to make changes to the Florida Building Code in order to improve the affordability of property insurance prior to the next Atlantic hurricane season.
April 27, 2022 •
West Virginia Special Session Adjourns
West Virginia’s special session adjourned on April 26. Lawmakers planned on dealing with 17 bills, but many did not pass. The most debated bill was Senate Bill 2001, which eventually passed after being vetoed by the governor due to technical […]
West Virginia’s special session adjourned on April 26.
Lawmakers planned on dealing with 17 bills, but many did not pass.
The most debated bill was Senate Bill 2001, which eventually passed after being vetoed by the governor due to technical errors.
The bill appropriates $250 million to be used to upgrade infrastructure in municipalities of the state.
April 12, 2022 •
Maryland Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 444th Maryland General Assembly adjourned from its 90-day session on April 11 with over 600 bills being passed as of Monday morning. Passed legislation includes a compromise increasing local budgets for highway repairs, additional measures to enhance Maryland’s cybersecurity […]
The 444th Maryland General Assembly adjourned from its 90-day session on April 11 with over 600 bills being passed as of Monday morning.
Passed legislation includes a compromise increasing local budgets for highway repairs, additional measures to enhance Maryland’s cybersecurity response, and bills aimed toward accelerating the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.
April 12, 2022 •
Mississippi Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Mississippi Legislature adjourned sine die on April 5 after over 90 days in session. This extended session was highlighted by lowered state taxes, redistricting, and the creation of a medical marijuana program. This does affect lobbyist reporting. The lobbyist […]
The Mississippi Legislature adjourned sine die on April 5 after over 90 days in session.
This extended session was highlighted by lowered state taxes, redistricting, and the creation of a medical marijuana program.
This does affect lobbyist reporting.
The lobbyist end-of-session activity report is due April 15.
January 21, 2022 •
Ethics Committee Recommends Removal of State Senator
The Tennessee Ethics Committee has voted to move Sen. Katrina Robinson’s case in front of the full Senate after a 4-1 vote to remove Robinson from her seat. Robinson has been convicted of four counts of wire fraud and is […]
The Tennessee Ethics Committee has voted to move Sen. Katrina Robinson’s case in front of the full Senate after a 4-1 vote to remove Robinson from her seat.
Robinson has been convicted of four counts of wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for March 3.
January 19, 2022 •
Alabama Special Session Announced
Gov. Kay Ivey announced a special session to address how the state will use the remaining first-round funds from the American Rescue Plan. Alabama still has about $443 million left to be used for pandemic-related health care services and reimbursement. […]
Gov. Kay Ivey announced a special session to address how the state will use the remaining first-round funds from the American Rescue Plan.
Alabama still has about $443 million left to be used for pandemic-related health care services and reimbursement.
This session will begin on January 19.
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