The Wyoming Legislature adjourned their special session after passing HB 1002, outlawing enforcement of federal vaccine mandates.

Included in HB 1002 is the ability for Wyoming’s attorney general to initiate or participate in litigation and take any appropriate action to challenge or resist federal government mandates relating to COVID-19.

A four-million-dollar fund has been set aside to finance legal actions opposing federal government COVID mandates.

Alaska’s fourth special session adjourned under little fanfare.

Governor Dunleavy tasked members of the Alaskan Legislature to fund another permanent fund dividend payment, a request met with legislative apathy.

The Senate held only one floor session while the house met only twice, with both houses holding relatively few committee meetings.

The Legislative leaders expressed concerns over a second payout from the permanent fund without a long-term budget plan.

Dunleavy stated he does not plan to call a fifth special session.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

The fourth session adjourning in November triggers a monthly report covering November 1 to November 30, due December 31.

The quarterly legislative lobbyist report due on January 31 will only cover the month of December.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has called a special session of the Legislature to begin November 8.

Lawmakers had announced a special session in September to begin November 8 but Burgum’s announcement means lawmakers will not be limited to the four days allotted under the constitution when the Legislature calls itself into session.

House Majority Leader Chet Pollert said they will determine whether a veto session will be necessary during the special session.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned the third special session on October 30.

Lawmakers passed several bills limiting COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.

In addition to these measures, lawmakers also introduced and passed Senate Bill 9009 making school board elections partisan elections.

All of these bills now await action by Gov. Bill Lee.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has set the dates for the November Florida Legislature’s special session concerning COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Lawmakers will convene the special session on November 15 and can adjourn no later than November 19.

The Iowa Legislature adjourned sine die October 28 after a one-day session in which lawmakers passed the second redistricting plan after rejecting the first one in a special session on October 5.

The plan passed the Senate 48-1, with one senator absent, and the House 93-2.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting. 

Speaker of the House Scott Bedke announced the Idaho Legislature will reconvene November 15 to address Federal Covid-19 rules for employers and consider an ethics complaint against Rep. Priscilla Giddings.

Normally, only Idaho’s Governor has the power to call a special session.

Instead of adjourning, the house called for an extended recess, a maneuver that allows the house to return to the regular session.

The Covid-related bill being considered would make it a misdemeanor for state or local government employees to implement President Biden’s Covid-19 rules in Idaho.

The Legislature will also consider censoring and removing Rep. Giddings from the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee.

The ethic complaint stems from Rep. Giddings sharing the name and picture of a 19-year-old legislative staffer who accused former Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger of sexual misconduct.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

The Hawaii Senate will convene for a third special session on October 28 to consider and confirm District and Circuit Court positions.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a videoconference hearing on October 27 to submit testimony. Decision-making will occur after the convening of the special session and after the measures for Circuit Court positions are formally referred to the Judiciary Committee.

The special session will only address six pending judicial appointments, including nominees for District Court of the Third Circuit, Circuit Court of the First Circuit, Circuit Court of the Second Circuit and of the Third Circuit.

Final Senate votes on the appointments are expected at 11 a.m. October 29.

A lobbyist and employer activity report must be filed if expenditures or contributions are made relating to legislative action considered during the special session. Any such report would be due within 30 days of adjournment sine die of the special session covering the period from May 1 through the adjournment sine die date.

The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned its special session on October 20.

During the three-day session, lawmakers approved bills regarding development and other preparations of the Ford Memphis Regional Megasite project, including the allocation of $884 million from the state’s fiscal surplus.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he intends to call a special session of the Florida Legislature in November.

Though the specific dates have not been set, the session will take up issues regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

West Virginia lawmakers completed their third special session after approving redistricting plans.

In addition to approving new House and Senate districts, the Legislature passed a bill to require employers to allow religious and health exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

The Legislature also approved the creation of the Broadband Development Fund.

A special legislative session has been announced by the Wyoming Legislature after a majority of state House and Senate members voted in favor of convening.

The session will begin October 26 and is tentatively scheduled to adjourn on October 28.

The purpose of the special session is to address COVID-19 mandates and “vaccine passports.”

Senate Speaker Randy McNally and House Speaker Cameron Sexton announced the Tennessee Legislature will convene a special session on October 27.

The special session will focus solely on COVID-19 issues including mask and vaccine mandates.

This will be the third special session of 2021.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced a second special session of the Alabama Legislature to convene on October 28.

The purpose of the special session is to undertake the decennial redistricting process.