April 13, 2020 •
Kentucky General Assembly to Reconvene on April 14
![Kentucky General Assembly to Reconvene on April 14](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The_south_facade_of_the_Kentucky_State_Capitol_building_located_in_Frankfort_Kentucky._Photographed_by_Tedd_Liggett_on_September_15_2018-1000x563.jpg)
The Kentucky State Capitol building
The Kentucky General Assembly’s 2020 session will reconvene on April 14, one day earlier than previously announced. Lawmakers will consider overriding vetoes cast by Gov. Andy Beshear. The governor’s time to veto recently passed bills expires on April 13. Lawmakers […]
The Kentucky General Assembly’s 2020 session will reconvene on April 14, one day earlier than previously announced.
Lawmakers will consider overriding vetoes cast by Gov. Andy Beshear.
The governor’s time to veto recently passed bills expires on April 13.
Lawmakers also have the option to convene on April 15, the latest possible day they can meet in regular session this year under state constitution guidelines.
April 13, 2020 •
Iowa Legislature Will Remain Adjourned Until April 30
![Iowa Legislature Will Remain Adjourned Until April 30](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Iowa-Capitol-2-1000x563.jpg)
Iowa Capitol Building - Ashton B Crew
The Legislative Council of Iowa met virtually to suspend the legislative session until April 30. The council makes rules when the legislative body isn’t in session. The suspension comes due to concerns over the increasing number of coronavirus cases in […]
The Legislative Council of Iowa met virtually to suspend the legislative session until April 30.
The council makes rules when the legislative body isn’t in session.
The suspension comes due to concerns over the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the state.
Lawmakers have not passed a budget for next year and the current fiscal year ends June 30, but a bill passed in March before the session’s suspension extends this year’s budget through the end of August.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
April 10, 2020 •
Michigan Announces Special Election for House District 4 Seat
![Michigan Announces Special Election for House District 4 Seat](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Michigan-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
Michigan State Capitol - By Brian Charles Watson
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced today a special primary election will be held August 4. The purpose will be to fill the vacant seat in House District 4 of former State Rep. Isaac Robinson, who died March 29. The special election […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced today a special primary election will be held August 4.
The purpose will be to fill the vacant seat in House District 4 of former State Rep. Isaac Robinson, who died March 29.
The special election for the seat will be held with the general election on November 3.
April 10, 2020 •
Chicago Extends Deadline for First Quarter Lobbyist Activity Reports
![Chicago Extends Deadline for First Quarter Lobbyist Activity Reports](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Chicago-City-Hall-1000x563.jpg)
Chicago City Hall - Ken Lund
The Board of Ethics is extending the first quarterly report filing deadline from April 20 to June 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. First quarter reports cover the period from January 1 to March 31 and must be filed even […]
The Board of Ethics is extending the first quarterly report filing deadline from April 20 to June 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
First quarter reports cover the period from January 1 to March 31 and must be filed even if there was no activity.
In addition, 2020 mandatory online lobbyist training has not been posted and the training deadline has been extended past June 30.
April 9, 2020 •
Indiana Lobby Registration Commission Extends First Period Activity Report Filing Deadline
![Indiana Lobby Registration Commission Extends First Period Activity Report Filing Deadline](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Indiana_State_Capitol_Market_St-1000x563.jpg)
Indiana State Capitol - By Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA
The Lobby Registration Commission is extending the first period activity report filing deadline from May 31 to July 15. First period activity reports cover the period from November 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020. Any late fees imposed for reports […]
The Lobby Registration Commission is extending the first period activity report filing deadline from May 31 to July 15.
First period activity reports cover the period from November 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020.
Any late fees imposed for reports filed June 1 to July 15 will be waived, but reports filed after July 15 will be subject to late fees.
The Lobby Registration Commission staff will continue to work from home in compliance with Executive Order 20-18, issued by Gov. Eric Holcomb to extend Indiana’s stay-at-home order until April 20.
April 8, 2020 •
No Report From the Illinois Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform
![No Report From the Illinois Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/illinois-springfield-capitol-and-sky-1000x563.jpg)
Illinois State Capitol Building
The Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform missed the March 31 deadline for submitting their draft report. The commission cited the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission was established in December of 2019 to consider ethics reform […]
The Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform missed the March 31 deadline for submitting their draft report.
The commission cited the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The commission was established in December of 2019 to consider ethics reform in Illinois.
Since its inception, the commission has conducted six public hearings, heard testimony from 38 witnesses, and received extensive feedback from stakeholders.
It’s work was nearly complete with the only task remaining of issuing a final report.
The commission last met March 5 and had planned to meet once more before the deadline.
Members requested reasonable date extensions for completion of the report, but those requests were denied.
This leaves the completion date for the report open-ended at this time.
April 7, 2020 •
Wisconsin Moves Forward with Primary; Absentee Deadline Today
![Wisconsin Moves Forward with Primary; Absentee Deadline Today](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/person-dropping-paper-on-box-1550337-scaled-1-1000x563.jpg)
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ executive order delaying the state’s presidential primary over coronavirus fears. The court ruled 4-2 Evers lacked the authority to move the election on his own. The decision means the election will […]
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ executive order delaying the state’s presidential primary over coronavirus fears.
The court ruled 4-2 Evers lacked the authority to move the election on his own.
The decision means the election will occur as originally scheduled on Tuesday.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday to count after the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the deadline in the first coronavirus-related case to reach the justices.
April 6, 2020 •
Wisconsin Governor Issues Order to Delay Election
![Wisconsin Governor Issues Order to Delay Election](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Wisconsin-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Wisconsin State Capitol Building
Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order to delay the state’s presidential primary from April 7 until June 9 because of the coronavirus pandemic. If Evers’ executive order holds, Wisconsin would become the 16th state to delay its election amid […]
Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order to delay the state’s presidential primary from April 7 until June 9 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
If Evers’ executive order holds, Wisconsin would become the 16th state to delay its election amid the pandemic.
Republicans are expected to immediately challenge the governor’s order in state court.
Evers had been reluctant to act due to concerns a postponement would be quickly overturned by the state Supreme Court and impact his authority to fight the pandemic.
April 6, 2020 •
Federal Judge Declined to Change Ohio’s Election Plan
![Federal Judge Declined to Change Ohio’s Election Plan](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ohio-Statehouse-1000x563.jpg)
Ohio Statehouse
Federal Judge Michael H. Watson declined to change the election plan Ohio lawmakers unanimously approved last month. House Bill 197 requires the state’s primary election to be conducted mostly by mail. Additionally, the bill extends absentee balloting until April 28 […]
Federal Judge Michael H. Watson declined to change the election plan Ohio lawmakers unanimously approved last month.
House Bill 197 requires the state’s primary election to be conducted mostly by mail.
Additionally, the bill extends absentee balloting until April 28 for the presidential and state primary elections.
In-person voting originally scheduled for March 17 was postponed by order of the state’s Health Department in response to COVID-19 concerns.
April 3, 2020 •
Illinois Further Extends All Filing Deadlines
![Illinois Further Extends All Filing Deadlines](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/illinois-springfield-capitol-and-sky-1000x563.jpg)
Illinois State Capitol Building
Lobbying semimonthly reporting deadlines are now extended for 60 days, pushing the April 5 due date to June 4. In response to the exponential spread of COVID-19, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-18 on April 1. The order extends […]
Lobbying semimonthly reporting deadlines are now extended for 60 days, pushing the April 5 due date to June 4.
In response to the exponential spread of COVID-19, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-18 on April 1.
The order extends prior executive orders for the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, which currently extends through April 30.
The Legislature also remains suspended through next week.
Additionally, lawmakers have been asked to keep their calendars clear for possible return dates.
April 3, 2020 •
Lawsuit Challenges New Ohio Presidential, State Primary Election Date and Procedures
![Lawsuit Challenges New Ohio Presidential, State Primary Election Date and Procedures](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/person-dropping-paper-on-box-1550337-scaled-1-1000x563.jpg)
A lawsuit has been filed challenging the new Ohio presidential and state primary election date and procedures. The lawsuit challenges House Bill 197, which included a provision to extend absentee balloting until April 28 for the presidential and state primary […]
A lawsuit has been filed challenging the new Ohio presidential and state primary election date and procedures.
The lawsuit challenges House Bill 197, which included a provision to extend absentee balloting until April 28 for the presidential and state primary elections.
In response to COVID-19, the state’s Health Department postponed in-person voting originally scheduled for March 17.
The lawsuit seeks to delay the election date further.
Additionally, registered voters who have not cast a ballot in the election will have an absentee ballot mailed to them.
The lawsuit would also allow voters who do not receive a ballot in time to vote at the board of elections.
Finally, it would set the voter registration date 30 days prior to the primary date, as required by federal law.
April 2, 2020 •
Ruling Expected Soon In Case Seeking To Delay Wisconsin Election
![Ruling Expected Soon In Case Seeking To Delay Wisconsin Election](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Wisconsin-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Wisconsin State Capitol Building
Although many states have postponed elections, as of April 1, Wisconsin plans to proceed with its primary on April 7 as planned despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Several lawsuits were filed over the election. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor […]
Although many states have postponed elections, as of April 1, Wisconsin plans to proceed with its primary on April 7 as planned despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several lawsuits were filed over the election.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
This will order a Dane County election official to change his guidance related to absentee voting and require strict compliance with voter identification laws.
Another federal lawsuit related to the election is still awaiting a verdict.
Formerly three separate cases, Federal Judge William Conley combined the three cases into a single case and heard arguments today.
A ruling in that case could happen any time.
April 2, 2020 •
Ohio Ethics Commission Extends Financial Disclosure Statement Deadline
![Ohio Ethics Commission Extends Financial Disclosure Statement Deadline](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ohio-Statehouse-1000x563.jpg)
Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Ethics Commission has extended the financial disclosure statement deadline to July 15 for public officials required to file. The general filing deadline applying to most filers was previously May 15. Paul M. Nick, Executive Director of the Commission, […]
The Ohio Ethics Commission has extended the financial disclosure statement deadline to July 15 for public officials required to file.
The general filing deadline applying to most filers was previously May 15.
Paul M. Nick, Executive Director of the Commission, stated the extension was to give filers adequate time to compile and file statements following the extended deadline of July 15 for federal and state tax returns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 1, 2020 •
South Dakota Adjourns After Postponing Election
![South Dakota Adjourns After Postponing Election](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1024px-Pierre_capitol1-1000x563.jpg)
South Dakota Capitol Building
The Legislature adjourned on March 30 after holding its first electronic voting day for the last scheduled day of the 2020 session. The electronic voting day considered bills vetoed by Gov. Kristi Noem and several new bills related to the […]
The Legislature adjourned on March 30 after holding its first electronic voting day for the last scheduled day of the 2020 session.
The electronic voting day considered bills vetoed by Gov. Kristi Noem and several new bills related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Legislature passed 9 of the 11 bills Noem requested to aid the state in battling the COVID-19 virus.
An approved bill includes the one that postponed elections.
House Bill 1298 postpones any election scheduled to be held from April 14 through May 26.
The bill requires the governing body of the political subdivision holding the election to choose any Tuesday in June as the alternate election date.
It also requires the absentee voting period to extend through 5:00 p.m. local time the day before the new election date.
A special session is tentatively planned for June to address lingering budget concerns caused by the pandemic.
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