The Board of Ethics is delaying implementation of Ethics Ordinance 2019-5305, previously set for April 20 to July 1.

The ordinance imposes new registration and reporting requirements on certain nonprofit interactions with the city.

Steven Berlin, Executive Director for the Chicago Board of Ethics, explained as the city and groups around Chicago work to respond to COVID-19, delaying enforcement until the third quarter is appropriate.

Advisory Opinion Case No. 202012.Q was issued to provide guidance regarding gifts and services to aid the city in its official response to COVID-19.

The Board of Ethics also canceled the two remaining prescheduled March in-person ethics training seminars for March 17 and March 26.

Berlin indicated the training will be posted online as soon as possible and the completion deadline will be extended accordingly.

The quarterly activity reporting deadlines of April 20 and July 20 remain in effect.

Alabama officials held a press conference announcing the March 31 runoff election will be postponed until July 14.

The press conference was held by Gov. Kay Ivey, Secretary of State John H. Merrill, and Attorney General Steve Marshall.

Merrill believes this new date will allow for the electoral process to continue in a normal manner.

He also says the delay will allow all local election officials the time to assess and evaluate the changes needed to ensure the runoff election is administered according to plan.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin Mayor Steve Adler signed an emergency order on March 17.

The order suspends all deadlines imposed by city code, ordinance, rule, or other regulation until May 1.

Under Section 7 of the order, the deadline for all lobbyist quarterly activity reports has been extended to May 1.

No late fees will be accrued for failure to file prior to May 1.

The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on March 17 due to concerns with COVID-19.

Before adjournment, lawmakers were able to pass a supplemental budget with provisions in response to the coronavirus.

During the shortened legislative session, lawmakers also passed Legislative Document 1867.

Legislative Document 1867 amends lobbyist reporting requirements and an expands sexual harassment training.

A registered lobbyist is required to file monthly reports beginning the month they register through the lobbying year.

However, after the legislative session is concluded, if the lobbyist anticipates no further lobbying for a client, the lobbyist may file a request for a non-session waiver with their final monthly report for the session.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Hawaii State Ethics Commission has postponed its public hearing on proposed administrative rules concerning amendments to state lobbying and gift laws scheduled for March 19.

While a new date has not been established, the ethics commission indicated the public hearing will likely take place in early May.

The proposals include:

• • Clarifications as to what activities constitute lobbying
  • Exclusions from lobbyist registration requirements
  • Requirements that expenditures be reported on an accrual rather than cash basis

Additionally, the proposals amend prohibitions on certain kinds of gifts, valuation of gifts, and gift disclosure statements.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared a public health disaster emergency in the state.

People are encouraged to practice social distancing and avoid large crowds if possible, especially if they are elderly or have underlying health conditions.

Access to the Capitol is limited to lawmakers, employees of the Legislature, members of the governor’s administration, and credentialed journalists.

Lawmakers voted to approve $4.1 million of funding to respond to the coronavirus.

The regular session will adjourn if five or more legislators contract the virus.

The offices of the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) will be closed to walk-in traffic until further notice.

This comes in recognition of state and federal calls for social distancing and to protect the public and its employees.

APOC offices will remain staffed and continue to serve the public and respond through alternative forms of contact including mail, email, fax, and telephone, during its normal business hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) encourages filers who have access to an electronic Form 700 filing system to take advantage of its use.

This comes in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests filing deadline on April 1, 2020.

If electronic filing is not available, filers are strongly encouraged to submit forms by mail rather than in person.

Statements postmarked on or before the filing deadline are considered timely filed.

The FPPC’s advice telephone line is closed until further notice.

However, they continue to timely respond to requests for advice via email.

The California Legislature voted to suspend its 2020 session for nearly a month in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Lawmakers Monday night voted unanimously to recess from March 20 until April 13, though the date is subject to change.

The Legislature passed a relief package that sends $1.1 billion in support to hospitals, facilities, local governments and schools to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

On March 19, the Senate will convene a voting session regarding emergency bills to address COVID-19.

All other Senate and Assembly committee meetings and sessions that scheduled for the month of March have been cancelled.

These actions do not affect lobbyist reporting.

The 2020 budget session of the Wyoming Legislature adjourned sine die on March 13 after 24 days in session.

The session lasted an extra four days this year because of a decision made by lawmakers last year.

During the session, legislators passed a bill expanding limitations on campaign contributions.

Senate File 20 expands limitations on campaign contributions from organizations to include a candidate’s campaign committee or any political party or political action committee that directly coordinates with a candidate or a candidate’s campaign committee.

The bill becomes effective July 1, 2020, and does not affect lobbyist reporting.

The Legislature has announced the legislative session will be suspended.

The Senate met March 18 to pass House Bill 1647.

House Bill 1647 provides administrative leave to local government and school district employees in response to the effects of COVID-19.

The Senate also agreed to House Concurrent Resolution 65, suspending the session until April 1.

The resolution also extended the legislative session until June 9 and provided for a potential further extension until July 9.

The additional extension is needed if the Legislature is unable to reconvene in time for the June 9 deadline.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

The end of session report due 10 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die will now be due on June 19 unless an additional extension of the session occurs.

Due to COVID-19, the New Hampshire General Court has suspended all legislative activities through April 10.

During this time, the State House will be closed to legislative members, legislative staff, and visitors.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

Mayor London N. Breed announced the Health Officer of the City and County of San Francisco has issued a Public Health Order.

This order requires residents to remain in place, with the only exception being for essential needs.

This measure is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Public Health Order is effective as of midnight on Tuesday, March 17 until April 7, unless amended or extended.

The physical offices of the ethics commission will be closed for the duration of the Public Health Order until April 7, unless otherwise noticed.

The regular monthly meeting scheduled for Friday, March 20, has been canceled.

However, the ethics commission remains open for business through its telework policy and technology.

Staff will continue to assist with filing guidance, online disclosure tools and resources, advice, and compliance assistance, among its other duties.

Filing deadlines established by law applying during this period remain in effect and have not been extended.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.