The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics will be enabling the ability to file client semiannual reports and source funding disclosures through the online Lobbying Application on July 8.

Due to the short time frame of enabling the ability to file online and the statutory due date, JCOPE has granted an extension to submit client reports until July 31.

The extension only applies to semiannual reports and source of funding disclosures; lobbyist bimonthly reports are still due on July 15.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran introduced a new vendor code of ethics and vendor portal for doing business with the county.

The code of ethics addresses issues with gifts or contingent fees; employment negotiation restrictions during and after procurements; conflicts of interests; appearance by former county employees; and non-collusion.

The code applies to all county vendors, will be incorporated into all contracts, and will require prime vendors to distribute the terms of the code to all subcontractors.

The vendor portal allows for vendor and principal registration, viewing solicitations, integrity submissions, and other future functions for procurement activities.

In the upcoming days, the Offices of the County Executive and Chief Procurement Officer will post the vendor compliance presentation and code of ethics to the county website.

The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned sine die on June 5.

During the five-month legislative session lawmakers failed to pass bills concerning the code of ethics, lobbyist transparency, and dark money disclosure and regulation.

Gov. Lamont thanked the Legislature for approving legislation to accelerate the deployment of high-speed wireless technology throughout the state.

The monthly employer activity report required any month the General Assembly is in regular session is due July 10.

The Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die on May 31.

The legislative session ended on the 84th day, sooner than the scheduled 90-day session.

During the session lawmakers passed a balanced budget, enacted legislation to assist military families, and increased the maximum fine for violations of the Political Accountability and Disclosure Act.

The lobbyist statement of activity is due 45 days after the end of session on July 15.

The Kansas Legislature adjourned sine die on May 29.

Lawmakers adjourned earlier in the month to allow the governor time to appoint a candidate to the Kansas Court of Appeals.

On Wednesday, the Senate approved Sarah Warner to fill the vacant seat.

During the 59-day legislative session lawmakers introduced House Bill 2010 and Senate Bill 51.

The bills provide for restrictions on state officers and employees from engaging in lobbying for a specific period after resignation or expiration of employment.

Both bills failed to pass their respective chambers this session and will carryover to 2020.

The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 29.

During the session the Legislature introduced a bill changing lobbying reporting dates from the 15th to the 3rd of the month.

Lawmakers also introduced Senate Bill 157, proposing to grant the ethics commission authority to adopt an enforceable code of ethics, adjudicate complaints, and impose penalties upon finding a violation.

Both bills will carryover to 2020 as they failed to pass this legislative session.

House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election for House District 85 on August 20.

The seat is vacant after Fred Keller won a special election to fill the U.S. House District 12 seat.

The winner of the special election will complete Keller’s term until November 30, 2020.

On May 21, 2019, Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5861.

The bill extends respectful workplace code of conduct provisions to all members of the legislative community.

Effective July 28, 2019, Senate Bill 5861 requires The Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to develop a training course based on the legislative code of conduct and any policies adopted by either chamber.

Lobbyists will be required to attest to reading and completing the training course when filing a lobbyist registration statement with the Public Disclosure Commission.

Lobbyists currently registered are required to update registration materials to include the attestation by December 31, 2019.

The Richmond City Council unanimously passed Ordinance No. 2019-115 prohibiting lobbying after employment.

Ordinance No. 2019-115 defines “officer or employee” as members of the city council, city officers and employees, and individuals who receive monetary compensation for service on or employment by agencies, boards, authorities, sanitary districts, commissions, committees, and task forces appointed by the city council.

Former officers and employees may not represent a client for compensation for one year following their term in office.

Matters of any nature involving any agency, department, or an office of the city government the former officer or employee served immediately prior to the termination of employment or service are prohibited.

The revolving door ordinance is effective July 1.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Campaign Finance Program.

Amendments address disclosure, contributions, expenditures, public fund payments, and disclosure of independent expenditures.

Proposed rules amend and clarify the following sections:

• The reporting requirement of an in-kind contribution’s fair market value
• The next contribution limit adjustment to occur in 2022
• Enumerate the categories of prohibited contributions
• Cash contributions from a single source
• Attribution of expenditures after the date of a contested primary
• Update other provisions of the Campaign Finance Program

The public hearing on the proposed rules will take place on June 13.

The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on May 4.

The 61-day legislative session ran a day longer than expected as lawmakers passed a $91.1 billion state budget over the weekend.

During the session, lawmakers failed to pass an ethics reform bill revising post-service lobbying restrictions and executive branch lobbyist registration.

The Legislature passed House Bills 7021 and 7023 requiring the electronic filing of financial disclosures.

If signed by the governor, the electronic filing requirement is effective January 1, 2022.

On May 1, Mayor Jim Kenney signed Ordinance No. 190083 amending the city’s provisions regarding campaign contributions, transition and inauguration committees, and campaign finance disclosures.

Ordinance No. 190083, increased contribution limits for persons other than individuals from $11,900 to $12,000 per calendar year.

Candidates may now establish a separate committee to raise money for transition or inauguration into office.

Additionally, a candidate may accept contributions to the transition or inauguration committee in addition to the contributions for their candidate committee.

The ordinance also requires enhanced disclosure of expenditures for publicly-distributed electioneering communications of $5,000 or more based on the date of the expenditure or date of its dissemination.

The provisions of the ordinance are effective immediately.

The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die April 11.

During the 95-day legislative session, lawmakers passed bills amending state lobbying and campaign finance laws and passed a Medicaid budget bill to fund an expansion of the program.

The session was longer than expected as lawmakers failed to pass a bill to extend administrative rules set to expire July 1.

The governor may reinstate temporary administrative rules, or a special session may be called to resolve the issue at a later date.

The statutory requirement to file monthly reports when the Legislature is in session will end with the report due May 15.

The Mississippi special session adjourned on August 29.

Lawmakers passed House Bill 1 to address infrastructure projects to repair, reconstruct, and provide maintenance to the state’s roads and bridges.

During the special session, lawmakers also passed bills related to the creation of a state lottery and the deposit of funds from the BP oil spill settlement.