The 2020 session of the Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 12 after 60 days in session.

Lawmakers’ final hours of work were overshadowed by the continued onslaught of COVID-19 news in the state.

This prompted passage of a supplemental state budget doubling funding from $100 million to $200 million for the COVID-19 response.

Lawmakers noted the sense of urgency to finish their work quickly due to growing concerns about the spread of the virus.

During the session, legislators passed a bill concerning certification of the level of foreign national ownership for corporations participating in state elections.

Senate Bill 6152 requires a certification from each corporation making a contribution to the candidate, political committee, or incidental committee.

The certification must state the corporation’s ownership is comprised of less than 50% of foreign nationals.

Legislators also passed a procurement bill providing for accountability and transparency in government contracting.

House Bill 1521 requires evaluation of contract performance.

The evaluation assess whether decisions to contract out government services to the private sector are achieving their stated objectives.

In addition, the bill intends to ensure public contractors given access to state resources are held to ethical standards consistent with public values.

Gov. Jay Inslee has 20 days to act on the bills.

On March 12, Gov. Ralph Northam announced a ban on all official out-of-state travel for state employees for at least the next 30 days.

Northam has also ordered an implementation of telework policies for state employees.

On March 12, the Maryland General Assembly announced the State House, the House and Senate office buildings, and Department of Legislative Services will be closed to the public.

Only people with a state-issued credential are permitted access.

Further, a mandatory telework policy has been put into effect for all non-essential personnel.

The announcement came after Gov. Larry Hogan instituted a similar telework policy for state agencies.

On Thursday March 12, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and Speaker of the House David Ralston announced the General Assembly will suspend the 2020 legislative session indefinitely.

The assembly suspended following the 29^th legislative day on Friday, March 13.

The suspension is out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of health and safety of members, staff and the public given the prevalence of the coronavirus.

The session will resume at a future date to be determined.

The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) announced their policy on COVID-19 and lobbying filings.

Upon request, JCOPE will grant reasonable extensions to filers who may not be able to meet the upcoming filing deadline due to a COVID-19 issue.

If a filer misses the deadline due to COVID-19 related issues, please contact the JCOPE help desk at:

• • • (518) 408-3976
    • helpdesk@jcope.ny.gov

Please contact as soon as possible to discuss a reasonable accommodation.

On March 11, Gov. Ned Lamont declared a public health emergency and civil preparedness emergency in effect through September 9, unless terminated earlier.

Legislative leaders also announced the closure of the Capitol complex.

Additionally, meetings for Thursday, March 12, through Sunday, March 15, are canceled.

The closure allows the Capitol and Legislative Office Building to be cleaned due to concerns with the coronavirus.

The General Assembly will return to Hartford on Monday, March 16, to reschedule the canceled meetings.

They will also discuss legislation proposed by the governor for an emergency relief package, and to prevent price-gouging during times of emergencies.

The closure does not immediately affect lobbyist reporting.

Effective immediately, the Legislative Ethics Commission has requested updated registration statements be filed either by fax or via email, by scanning and sending the signed forms.

• • Fax to (502) 573-2929
  • Email to Donnita.crittenden@lrc.ky.gov  or lori.smither@lrc.ky.gov

To change from paper filing to filing online, please email the above for an ID and password.

This is a preventative measure to cut down on unnecessary mail handling and interaction by their staff, in order to keep the spread of the coronavirus to a minimum.

Starting today at 5 p.m. and ending on April 1 at 8 p.m., the public will have limited access to the United States Capitol because of concerns of the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Michael C. Stenger, the Sergeant at Arms of U.S. Senate, and Paul D. Irving, the Sergeant at Arms of U.S. House of Representatives, in consultation with the Office of the Attending Physician, issued a statement on March 12.

They stated the Capitol Visitor Center will close all tours of the Capitol and other congressional office buildings, including the House and Senate office buildings and the Capitol grounds.

“Lawmakers, staff, credentialed journalists and visitors with official business would still be allowed entry,” according to Reuters. 

On Wednesday March 11, lawmakers cancelled all legislative sessions through next week.

This will also include all other events scheduled to take place at the Capitol in Springfield, including lobby day events and tours of the Capitol.

Senate President Don Harmon announced next week’s legislative sessions are canceled due to public health concerns over the coronavirus.

The General Assembly was set to return to session in Springfield next Wednesday, the day after Tuesday’s primary.