May 18, 2022 •
New York Congressional Special Elections Expected

NY State Capitol - by formulanone
New York Rep. Tom Reed announced his retirement from Congress seven months before his final term was set to conclude. His resignation comes after the congressman faced allegations of sexual misconduct. Rep. Antonio Delgado is also expected to resign to […]
New York Rep. Tom Reed announced his retirement from Congress seven months before his final term was set to conclude.
His resignation comes after the congressman faced allegations of sexual misconduct.
Rep. Antonio Delgado is also expected to resign to become Gov. Hochul’s new lieutenant governor.
Both resignations will trigger special elections for congressional districts that are currently being redrawn.
May 13, 2022 •
Vermont Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

Vermont Capitol Building
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on Thursday, May 12. Lawmakers passed Vermont’s first statewide ethics code with new gift limits and a revolving door provision applicable to legislative employees. Bills related to campaign finance were introduced, but not […]
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on Thursday, May 12.
Lawmakers passed Vermont’s first statewide ethics code with new gift limits and a revolving door provision applicable to legislative employees.
Bills related to campaign finance were introduced, but not passed.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
May 10, 2022 •
Maine Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

Maine Capitol Building
The second regular session of the 130th Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on May 9. Two campaign finance bills were passed during the session and signed by the governor. Legislative Document 1782, effective January 1, 2023, permits business entities to […]
The second regular session of the 130th Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on May 9.
Two campaign finance bills were passed during the session and signed by the governor.
Legislative Document 1782, effective January 1, 2023, permits business entities to contribute the paid staff time of its employees to the entity’s separate segregated fund committee.
Legislative Document 1754 amends the state’s major contributor disclosure law and will take effect on August 8.
This does affect lobbyist reporting.
A registered lobbyist who anticipates no further lobbying for a client may file a request for a non-session waiver with their final monthly report for the session due June 15.
May 6, 2022 •
Connecticut Legislature Adjourns

Connecticut State Capitol - by: John Phelan, CC BY 3.0
The 2022 session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned on May 4. Lawmakers passed a state budget including more than $600 million in tax cuts, made Juneteenth a state holiday, and dedicated $300 million toward fighting the opioid epidemic. Bills […]
The 2022 session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned on May 4.
Lawmakers passed a state budget including more than $600 million in tax cuts, made Juneteenth a state holiday, and dedicated $300 million toward fighting the opioid epidemic.
Bills related to campaign consultants, municipal campaign finance filings, and banning foreign money in state elections were introduced but not passed.
This does affect lobbyist reporting dates.
The monthly employer activity report required any month the General Assembly is in regular session is due June 10
May 4, 2022 •
Vermont Governor Signs Ethics Code

Vermont Capitol Building
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 171 establishing a statewide ethics code. The bill prohibits public officials and employees from accepting or soliciting gifts not expressly permitted by the code. Permitted gifts include food and beverage where the cost […]
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 171 establishing a statewide ethics code.
The bill prohibits public officials and employees from accepting or soliciting gifts not expressly permitted by the code.
Permitted gifts include food and beverage where the cost does not exceed $100 and unsolicited de minimis gifts with a value of $50 or less.
The bill also prohibits former legislative employees from being paid to appear before the General Assembly or its committees for one year following the termination of their service.
The bill will take effect on July 1.
April 27, 2022 •
New York Court Postpones Primaries

NY State Capitol - by formulanone
The New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, issued a ruling invalidating the state’s new congressional and state senate districts due to gerrymandering. The ruling will result in the congressional and state senate district primaries being moved […]
The New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, issued a ruling invalidating the state’s new congressional and state senate districts due to gerrymandering.
The ruling will result in the congressional and state senate district primaries being moved from June to August.
It is unclear whether the primaries for governor and state Assembly will also be postponed.
Campaign finance reporting deadlines associated with the postponed primaries will be shifted accordingly.
April 27, 2022 •
Vermont Legislature Passes Ethics Code

Vermont Capitol Building
The Vermont Legislature passed Senate Bill 171 and delivered it to Gov. Phil Scott today. The bill establishes a statewide ethics code covering all individuals elected or appointed to serve as public officers as well as all state employees. The […]
The Vermont Legislature passed Senate Bill 171 and delivered it to Gov. Phil Scott today.
The bill establishes a statewide ethics code covering all individuals elected or appointed to serve as public officers as well as all state employees.
The ethics code includes conflict of interest, gift, and revolving door provisions.
If signed by Scott, the ethics code will go into effect on July 1.
April 18, 2022 •
Maine Legislature Passes Campaign Finance Amendments

Maine Capitol Building
Maine Gov. Mills signed Legislative Document 1782 amending the state’s campaign finance law. Beginning December 1, 2023, the amount individuals can contribute to separate segregated fund committees will be adjusted every two years based on the Consumer Price Index. The […]
Maine Gov. Mills signed Legislative Document 1782 amending the state’s campaign finance law.
Beginning December 1, 2023, the amount individuals can contribute to separate segregated fund committees will be adjusted every two years based on the Consumer Price Index.
The new law also permits corporations, membership organizations, cooperative or labor organizations to contribute the paid staff time of its employees and independent contractors to establish the entity’s separate segregated fund committee and to provide fundraising and administrative services to the committee.
A business entity will also be permitted to provide its separate segregated fund committee with the use of offices, telephones, computers, and other equipment, even if doing so results in an additional cost to the business entity.
Legislative Document 1782 will take effect on January 1, 2023.
April 14, 2022 •
Maine Lawmakers Revise Major Contributor Disclosure Law

Maine Capitol Building
Maine Gov. Mills signed Legislative Document 1754 amending the state’s major contributor disclosure law. The amendments exclude committees from the definition of major contributor and exclude certain funds from disclosure requirements. Major contributors will no longer need to disclose funds […]
Maine Gov. Mills signed Legislative Document 1754 amending the state’s major contributor disclosure law.
The amendments exclude committees from the definition of major contributor and exclude certain funds from disclosure requirements.
Major contributors will no longer need to disclose funds restricted to non-campaign uses; derived from the major contributor’s regular trade, business, or investment income; and provided by a source that contributed no more than $5,000 to the major contributor during the relevant reporting period.
The law also clarifies the penalties associated with noncompliance and provides a mechanism to request a waiver of the penalties.
Legislative Document 1754 will take effect 90 days after the adjournment of the current legislative session.
April 12, 2022 •
New York Budget Bill Reforms Ethics Agency

NY State Capitol - by formulanone
Assembly Bill 09006C was signed by New York Gov. Hochul and replaces the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) with a new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government effective July 8. The substantive law enforced by the ethics body […]
Assembly Bill 09006C was signed by New York Gov. Hochul and replaces the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) with a new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government effective July 8.
The substantive law enforced by the ethics body was not altered, and all lobbyist reporting and disclosure requirements will remain the same.
The agency’s overhaul is designed to increase greater transparency.
While members of the ethics agency will still be appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, deans at the state’s law schools will comprise an independent review committee charged with approving appointees to the new commission.
Individuals who were registered as lobbyists in the previous two years are prohibited from serving on the commission.
April 12, 2022 •
New York Special Election Scheduled

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New York Gov. Hochul announced a special election for Assembly District 58 to be held on May 24. The seat became vacant when Rep. Nick Perry was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the ambassador to Jamaica. The winner of […]
New York Gov. Hochul announced a special election for Assembly District 58 to be held on May 24.
The seat became vacant when Rep. Nick Perry was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the ambassador to Jamaica.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the two-year term set to expire at the end of this year.
April 12, 2022 •
New York Lt. Gov. Arrested on Federal Bribery Charges

NYS Brian A. Benjamin - New York Senate Photo, CC BY 2.0
Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin was arrested today on a federal bribery conspiracy charge in connection with a scheme to direct fraudulent contributions to one of his prior campaigns. The scheme was reportedly designed to help Benjamin receive matching funds from […]
Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin was arrested today on a federal bribery conspiracy charge in connection with a scheme to direct fraudulent contributions to one of his prior campaigns.
The scheme was reportedly designed to help Benjamin receive matching funds from New York City’s public campaign financing program during his bid for city comptroller last year.
Benjamin has served as lieutenant governor for less than a year and is currently running for re-election with Gov. Kathy Hochul.
March 30, 2022 •
Massachusetts Campaign Finance Regulations Revised

Massachusetts State Flag
The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) revised the state’s campaign finance regulations to address issues related to payment applications, the depository reporting schedule, and independent expenditures. Under the revised regulations, contributions may be received through peer-to-peer payment […]
The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) revised the state’s campaign finance regulations to address issues related to payment applications, the depository reporting schedule, and independent expenditures.
Under the revised regulations, contributions may be received through peer-to-peer payment applications.
The revised regulations also flesh out the rules surrounding independent expenditures made by traditional PACs and ballot question committees and update the depository reporting schedule to match the schedule contained in G.L. §55-19.
The revised regulations are now in effect.
March 21, 2022 •
Philadelphia City Council Special Election Scheduled

Philadelphia City Hall - by: David Torres, CC BY-SA 3.0
A special election for the vacant District 6 council seat is scheduled for May 17 in Philadelphia. The seat is vacant after Bobby Henon resigned following his conviction on conspiracy and fraud charges. The winner of the special election will […]
A special election for the vacant District 6 council seat is scheduled for May 17 in Philadelphia.
The seat is vacant after Bobby Henon resigned following his conviction on conspiracy and fraud charges.
The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term set to expire in January 2024.
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