Maryland Lawmakers passed a bill late in the session to require lobbyist employers to file contribution disclosure statements even if no contributions were made.

Senate Bill 15 became law when Gov. Larry Hogan declined to veto the bill within 30 days.

Any lobbyist employer who pays at least $500 to one or more lobbyists must file the report on May 31 and November 30.

Previously, the report was due only if applicable contributions were made in the reporting period of $500 or more.

The new law raises penalties for violations from $1,000 to $25,000 and establishes three-year record keeping requirements. Senate bill 15 is effective July 1.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill requiring certain non-profits to report expenditures of more than $5,000 on communications with the image or name of candidates within 60 days before an election.

Senate Bill 1005 provides exceptions such as communications to members, lobbying during a special session, and communications involving Facebook followers.

This bill also requires political candidates to provide a report of all expenditures over $100 with a cap being set on non-itemized expenses at $2,000 per statement period.

The bill is effective immediately upon the governor’s signature.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bills 7001 and 7003 to prohibit lobbying by a public officer and a former justice or judge during public service and for a six-year period after leaving public office.

The bills were passed to implement Amendment 12, a 2018 constitutional amendment.

Both bills will take effect December 31, 2022.

Florida state legislators concluded a five-day special session after passing two bills addressing insurance rates.

The first bill helps insurers with their risk portfolio by creating reinsurance to assist policyholders.

The second requires condominiums to have thorough inspections and includes an entire section about roofing systems.

Legislatures felt the pressure of addressing these issues as soon as possible because of the continuous increase in insurance rates and because hurricane season is expected to begin on June 1.

The Tennessee Legislature passed Senate Bill 884 and delivered it to Gov. Bill Lee this past week on May 18.

Present law imposes an annual privilege tax of $400 on registered lobbyists with the state.

As introduced, the bill eliminated the tax for attorneys, physicians, investment advisors, and lobbyists.

However, as amended and passed, the bill only removes the annual tax for physicians.

The bill becomes effective immediately if signed by the governor or left unsigned for more than 10 days.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has scheduled a special election for state House District 119 on July 19 due to a vacancy created by the resignation of Rep. Sonya Williams-Barnes.

The primary will occur on June 7. A primary runoff will take place on June 28, if necessary.

Williams-Barnes is stepping down to begin work as Mississippi policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center.