On May 12, the Idaho Senate adjourned and the House of Representatives voted to recess ending the longest legislative session in Idaho’s history.

Passed legislation included campaign finance bills to prohibit foreign political contributions, enable candidate contribution transfers from one seat to another, and require statement of expenditures to include the identity of the candidate or measure passed.

Lawmakers also passed a bill allowing the Legislature to convene in special session.

Washington Lawmakers adjourned sine die after the Democratic-led Legislature passed many progressive initiatives during the 105-day session.

Police reform, climate change, and a $59 billion two-year spending plan were among the highlights of the session.

A bill to require 24-hour reporting of grassroots lobbying expenditures did not pass.

The Montana Legislature adjourned sine die April 29 after passing the state budget and policies to regulate and tax marijuana sales.

The Republican majority focused attention on numerous socially conservative causes including abortion, transgender rights, and bills decreasing the power of local public health and the executive branch during a health crisis.

The Legislature’s most lauded achievement was passing $120 million in tax cuts over the next two years.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order calling for a special election on August 31 to fill the vacancy in Assembly District 18.

Former Rep. Rob Bonta was sworn in as California’s attorney general on April 23.

The date of the special primary is set for June 29.

Idaho State Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger resigned Thursday following rape and sexual misconduct allegations.

The Legislature’s ethics committee voted unanimously to find von Ehlinger’s actions constituted “conduct unbecoming.”

The committee also advanced a motion to censure, suspend pay, and expel him from the Capitol.

The local legislative committee for Lewis and Nez Perce counties must nominate up to three people to fill the seat within 15 days for Gov. Little to choose from to serve out the rest of the term through 2022.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) issued an opinion finding the state’s new limits on contributions to local candidates passed in Assembly Bill 571 for jurisdictions that otherwise do not have a limit are not aggregated with contributions made before the effective date of the bill.

FPPC Opinion No. O-21-001 reverses earlier informal advice from staff stating contributions received before the January 1 effective date were aggregated for purposes of the new default limit of $4,900 per election.

The Idaho House of Representatives passed a proposed constitutional amendment to allow lawmakers to call themselves back into special session.

The amendment would allow lawmakers to call themselves back whenever at least 60% of members of each body agree to the special session.

Senate Joint Resolution 102 now goes to the Office of the Secretary of State, who will draw up the exact wording of the ballot measure to be voted on in the 2022 November General Election.

The Nevada Legislature reopened its doors to the public April 15.

Lobbyists can attend hearings and schedule appointments with lawmakers but must submit to a COVID-19 rapid test before entering.

Only 63 members of the public, or one person per lawmaker, can enter the building by appointment.

Gov. Brad Little signed a bill amending reporting requirements for independent expenditures.

House Bill 104 requires reporting of the identity of the candidate or measure and whether the expenditure was made in support of or in opposition to the candidate or measure.

The bill becomes effective July 1.

Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill revising campaign finance reporting deadlines for municipal candidates and political committees.

House Bill 71 amends the reporting dates for a political committee participating in odd-year municipal elections to the 30^th of June, July, August, September, October, and November of the election year.

The bill became effective when signed on April 8.