Iowa Legislative Session Enters Overtime

The first regular session of the 91st Iowa General Assembly, though scheduled to adjourn on May 2, continues in an overtime session. Lawmakers have not passed a new state budget, which is required before they can officially adjourn. Some Senators are refusing to vote on any budget bills unless the Iowa Senate first takes up a bill to restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. Several bills affecting lobbying and campaign finance were introduced during the session but have not passed. Senate Joint Resolution 11, if approved by voters, would amend the Iowa Constitution to require a two-thirds vote of both chambers of the General Assembly to increase the individual or corporate income tax rate. The measure was previously approved in the 2023–2024 legislative session as House Joint Resolution 2006. In order to pass the amendment and send the measure to voters on the November 2026 ballot, the resolution will need to be approved by the state House in the 2026 legislative session because Iowa requires constitutional amendments to pass in two consecutive two-year legislative sessions.

The first regular session of the 124th General Assembly adjourned sine die. Lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting a political action committee from accepting a contribution or expenditure from a foreign national, effective July 1. Several bills awaiting the governor’s signature include House Bill 1679, modifying the definition of candidate for purposes of campaign finance law, House Bill 1680, prohibiting the Election Commission from Issuing advisory opinions and invalidating any advisory opinion issued by the commission before July 1, 2025, and Senate Bill 287, permitting school board candidates to declare a political party affiliation. Gov. Mike Braun has seven days to sign legislation once it lands on his desk. If he does not sign a bill, it becomes law. If he vetoes a bill, the Legislature can override the veto with a majority vote in both houses.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is hosting staff from the Office of the Legislative Inspector General for a training session open to government affairs professionals on JLEC filing and lobbying requirements. The in-person session is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25, at the Ohio Chamber Office in Columbus, Ohio. Although registration is not required, notify Tony Long if planning to attend at tlong@ohiochamber.com.

Lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting a political action committee from accepting a contribution or expenditure from a foreign national, as defined by federal law. House Bill 1467 also amends reporting requirements by requiring affirmations of compliance. The bill also prohibits a foreign national from soliciting or directing a contribution or expenditure by another person to influence an election on a public question. The bill becomes effective July 1.

Gov. Larry Rhoden has called a special session for July 22 to consider recommendations and proposed legislation of the advisory council, Project Prison Reset, created by Executive Order 2025-01. The advisory council was created to assess and determine the need for a new prison facility and engage and analyze consultant recommendations on size, design, and location of a new prison facility and is required to make recommendations and propose legislation by July 15.

OHIO: The Office of Secretary of State published increased contribution limits. The contribution limits for what PACs, PCEs and individuals may contribute to statewide candidates, candidates for General Assembly, county parties, PACs, and PCEs increased from $15,499.69 to $16,615.67 per election; from $46,499.08 to $49,847.01 per calendar year to state parties; and from $23,249.54 to $24,923.51 per calendar year to legislative campaign funds. The amount of gifts corporations and labor unions may provide per year to a state political party, county political party, or legislative campaign fund for specified purposes increased from $12,751.16 to $13,669.24.

The 100th session of the Legislature adjourned sine die on March 31. Lawmakers convened for Veto Day and failed to override the two bills vetoed by Gov. Larry Rhoden. The many bills passed during the session included Senate Bill 164, prohibiting the use of a deepfake within 90 days of an election if it does not include a disclosure. Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 12, prohibiting a candidate or political committee from accepting a loan from a person if the principal amount of the loans and contributions made by the person exceeds the limit the candidate or political committee may accept as a contribution. Other bills passed included House Bill 1264, requiring the disclosure of an outstanding loan balance on a campaign finance disclosure report and Senate Bill 89, repealing the requirement that judicial officers be listed on a separate nonpolitical ballot.

The 2024 regular session of the General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 28, marking the last official action inside the Capitol for the next few years during a restoration project. Lawmakers will convene in a temporary structure on the Capitol campus during the project. Passed bills include House Bill 45, prohibiting foreign nationals from making campaign contributions; establishing reporting requirements for political issues committees and independent expenditures; and requiring a “paid for by” disclosure for ballot measure advertisements. Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 4, creating standards and guidelines for using artificial intelligence in state government and elections and requiring any electioneering communication using synthetic media to include a conspicuous disclosure.

The Department of State issued a declaratory ruling clarifying an exception to the lobbying gift ban regarding expenses for officials attending conferences. In the Detroit Regional Chamber Declaratory Ruling issued March 31, the department concluded a lobbyist or lobbyist agent may provide complimentary admission to public officials attending the Mackinac Policy Conference where the officials are providing a service with a value equal to or greater than the price of admission. The burden of demonstrating a public official is providing a service is on the lobbyist or lobbyist agent. An earlier ruling issued on March 10 concluded complimentary admission was an impermissible gift, but additional evidence submitted during the public comment period demonstrated public officials attending the Mackinac Policy Conference provide a service in exchange for complimentary admission. Lawmakers are currently considering Senate Bill 101, which would codify an exception to the gift ban for admission to a conference or educational event with subject matter directly related to the duties of the public official.

Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill a vacancy in Senate District 6 following the resignation of Sen. Justin Eichorn on March 20. The Senate was expected to expel Eichorn after he was arrested and charged as part of a minor prostitution sting. The special primary election will be held on April 15, followed by the special general election on April 29.

Lawmakers passed a bill changing the disclosure requirements for political committees. House Bill 1264, effective July 1, 2025, requires campaign finance disclosure reports, including amendments, supplements, and termination reports to include the outstanding balance of each loan received at the time the report is filed.

KENTUCKY: Lawmakers passed a bill amending campaign finance law which prohibits a foreign national from making contributions or expenditures in support of or opposition to a ballot measure. House Bill 45, effective June 26,2025, defines foreign national as any individual who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States: a government, political subdivision, or municipality of a foreign country; a foreign political party; any entity, organized under the laws of or has its principal place of business in a foreign country; or any entity in the United States that is wholly or majority owned by any foreign national. The bill also establishes reporting and record retention requirements for political issues committees and persons making independent expenditures. The bill also expands the definition of independent expenditure to include expenditures in support of or opposition to a ballot measure.

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issued the report of expenditures by lobbyist principals. The report includes compensation paid to lobbyists and costs incurred to support lobbying. Prior to 2024, lobbyist principals reported their expenditures in two categories: the amount spent to influence the PUC; and all other lobbying. The expenditures now include the amount spent in four categories: the amount spent to influence actions by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC); the amount spent to influence legislative action; the amount spent to influence administrative action; and the amount spent to influence the actions of metropolitan governmental units. A searchable listing of the reported expenditures by lobbyist principals is available on the board’s website at https://cfb.mn.gov/.

The Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion clarifying rules regarding exceptions to the gift ban. Advisory Opinion 24-02 states an organization hosting a conference where attendees pay for their meals can cover the cost of a legislator’s meal if the event otherwise meets the criteria for a private or public social and educational event. In order to qualify as a public or private social and educational event, the event must occur in the state of North Dakota; include an educational component; lobbyists and public officials may not be the only state residents in attendance; and the sponsor must electronically file a prior notice with the Ethics Commission. The commission requests event sponsors submit these notices no less than a week in advance. The opinion also states gifts or other things of value shared as a cultural or social norm as part of a qualified public or private social and educational event must reflect the traditions, heritage, values, and beliefs of a group of people. Examples include star quilts from members of tribal nations, gifts between political dignitaries, or a personalized plaque or certificate with the recipient’s name which has no independent resale value.