Oklahoma Governor Orders Special Election

Gov. J. Kevin Stitt ordered a special election to fill the upcoming vacancy in House District 35. Rep. Ty Burns resigned, effective October 1, following an August 28 guilty plea on charges of domestic abuse and assault. A special primary election will be held on December 9 and a special runoff election is scheduled for January 13, 2026, if necessary. The special general election is scheduled for February 10, 2026, but will be moved up if the primary or runoff election is not needed.

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The gift limit for food, drink, and refreshments in Louisiana increased from $79 to $81. Lobbyists and non-lobbyists may now give a public servant or public employee any food, drink, or refreshment the total value of which does not exceed $81 for a single event. The $81 limit does not apply to gatherings held in conjunction with a meeting related to a national or regional organization, or to meetings of a statewide organization of governmental officials or employees. The limit is adjusted each year relative to the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the prior year.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a special session beginning October 1. Legislators are being asked to address various fiscal measures including rural health care funding, health insurance affordability, food assistance, and funding for public broadcasting. The special session may last up to 30 days. This does affect lobbying reporting. Expenditures of $500 or more made or incurred by a lobbyist or employer during the special session must be reported within 48 hours.

The Second Special Session of the 89th Legislature adjourned sine die on September 4. Lawmakers passed House Bill 18, restricting the per person aggregate amount in political contributions that can be accepted by legislators and certain committees during a legislator’s impeding absence from a legislative session. If signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, the law will take effect December 4. The 90th Legislature convenes January 12, 2027.

The Colorado Legislature adjourned the First Extraordinary Session of the 75th General Assembly sine die on August 26. Lawmakers passed 11 bills including measures addressing the 2025-26 budget shortfall; amending a November ballot issue on universal school meals to also cover SNAP benefit costs; requiring the Governor to present any mid-year spending cuts to the joint budget committee; and resetting the implementation dates of an AI regulation bill from February 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026, affording lawmakers more time to consider revisions.

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The Texas Legislature adjourned the First Special Session of the 89th Legislature sine die on August 15. A congressional redistricting map and other bills were passed by the Senate, but no bills advanced through the House on account of a lack of quorum. On Gov. Greg Abbott’s call, a Second Special Session convened the same day. Legislators are being asked to address the same agenda as the First Special Session, including congressional redistricting, flooding preparedness and relief, taxpayer funded lobbying, and other matters, as well as an additional item concerning youth camp safety. The special session may last up to 30 days.

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Gov. Jared Polis called for a special session beginning August 21. Legislators are being asked to address a budget shortfall for 2025-26; Medicaid funding; changes to the school meal program; and concerns about Senate Bill 24-205, an AI regulation effective February 1, 2026. The special session will last until adjourned by joint resolution upon completion of items in the governor’s proclamation. A professional lobbyist must disclose within 72 hours if agreeing to lobby for an existing client in connection with new legislation, standards, rules, or rates during the special session.

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The U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature met in special session on August 1 to consider three bills. After debate, lawmakers voted unfavorably for a bill to establish a special committee to procure self-funded group health and dental insurance for government employees and retirees. Bills concerning legislator pension and leave of absence for government employees seeking elected office were removed from the agenda and assigned to committees for further review. The special session was adjourned upon completion of its business.

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Gov. Greg Abbott called a special election to be held on November 4 for state Senate District 9. The special election will determine who will serve the unexpired term of Sen. Kelly Hancock, who resigned to become acting state comptroller. The special election coincides with the Texas uniform election for local offices and ballot measures.

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Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton approved an interim study request for the Judiciary Committee to review establishing a state Foreign Agent Registration Act. The aim of the act would be to provide public transparency around political and propaganda activities conducted by agents of foreign countries of concern, which may overlap with lobbying activities. Study schedules and meeting notices will be posted on the Senate website at oksenate.gov and must be completed by October 31.

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On June 30, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas denied a preliminary injunction targeted at Kansas House Bill 2106, which added new prohibitions against accepting foreign funds when engaging in activities promoting or opposing a Kansas constitutional amendment. Judge Daniel D. Crabtree found the state likely has a compelling interest in limiting foreign influence in its constitutional amendment ballot issue elections. The bill went into effect July 1.

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