The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on March 21 after the passage of a budget for the next biennium. The Legislature was unable to secure the two-thirds majority required for the bill to be considered an emergency measure, which would have allowed the budget to take effect immediately after the governor’s signature. Without an emergency designation, all bills take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. With the adjournment, the budget and other non-emergency bills will take effect June 20. After approving the budget, Gov. Mills signed a proclamation calling the Legislature to reconvene March 25 for a special session.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives called for a special election to be held on May 13 for the 3rd Bristol District. The seat was previously held by Rep. Carol Doherty who passed away at the age of 82 after battling pancreatic cancer. A special primary will take place May 13.

Gov. Ayotte and the Executive Council scheduled a special election to be held on June 24 for state representative in Strafford County District 12. The seat was previously held by Gerri Cannon, the first transgender legislator elected in the state. A primary election will be held on May 6.

Gov. Lamont ordered a special election to be held on April 22 for state House District 113 after Rep. Jason Perillo’s resignation. Perillo resigned on February 28 after winning a special election for Senate District 21.

City Council voted 8-1 to establish an ethics commission over two years after voters approved the idea by ballot question in 2022. City Council will adopt a code of ethics created by the commission, and the code will be updated every three years. The commission will have the power to issue advisory opinions and decisions on violations of the code of ethics.

The New York Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) was ruled to be constitutional by the state Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York. The ruling comes after an appellate court unanimously found the commission unconstitutional because COELIG violates the governor’s ability to enforce ethics laws as many members of the commission are not appointed by the governor. The Court of Appeals reversed citing a need for an independent agency to enforce ethics rules.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives called for a special election to be held on May 13 for District 6. Rep. Jerald Parisella declined to take the oath of office for a new term because he was appointed as an associate justice of the District Court in November. A special primary will take place April 15.

The state’s Elections Division increased contribution limits to adjust for inflation. Under the revised limits, contributions per election cycle are capped at $5,180 for statewide candidates and PACs; $1,290 for state House candidates; and $1,940 for state Senate candidates.

The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices raised contribution limits based on adjustments to the consumer price index. Individuals, PACs, and corporations may now contribute up to $2,075 per election to gubernatorial candidates; $500 per election to legislative candidates; and $600 per election for municipal candidates. The next adjustment to contribution limits is expected to occur in 2027.

Rep. Matt Gergely has passed away after suffering a medical emergency. Gergely represented Pennsylvania’s 35th district after winning a special election in 2023. A special election will be held to fill the vacancy.

Lt. Gov. Austin signed a writ of election for the state Senate District 36 after Sen. Ryan Aument’s resignation. The special election will be held on Tuesday, March 25. Aument resigned to become Sen. Dave McCormick’s state director.

Gov. Murphy signed a bill rescheduling the 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10 to accommodate a period of religious observance.

Assembly Bill 5152 also moves campaign finance reporting deadlines to correspond to the new election date.

The Office of Secretary of State will publish a calendar containing the dates to be used.

Attorney General Aaron Fey agreed to delay the enforcement of new contribution limits related to independent expenditures until May 30 while they are being challenged in court for constitutionality.

Ballot Question 1, approved in last year’s November election, restricts contributions to political action committees for the purpose of making independent expenditures to $5,000 per year.

These contributions were unrestricted before the passage of the ballot question.

The new Lobbying Information System will be live on January 2, 2025.

The previous system will remain operational for filing reports from the 2023-2024 biennium, which are due January 15, 2025.

The Elections Division requests the reports be filed as soon as possible. The new system will use the same web address as the previous system and will be more intuitive and user friendly.