Lawmakers recessed the 2021 session early rather than adjourning sine die.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1372 into law extending the legislative session until November 15 in order to vote on redistricting because the coronavirus pandemic postponed 2020 census results.

Though the session has never been extended, the Indiana Constitution states the length of the legislative session is set by law, so the move is not unconstitutional.

House Bill 1372 states the current April 29 deadline will still be in place for future long sessions, and in all other aspects, the legislative session will act as though it is adjourning for the year, including fundraising.

House Bill 1372 permits lawmakers to start fundraising again on April 29, instead of on the usual day when the General Assembly adjourns the session sine die.

Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson have announced a special session to convene on May 17.

The special session will focus on legislation implementing and ratifying the 30-year gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida announced on April 23 by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

This expansive compact looks to modernize the state’s gaming industry, authorize sports betting, and is projected to increase revenue by over $6 billion over the next decade.

The Idaho House of Representatives passed a proposed constitutional amendment to allow lawmakers to call themselves back into special session.

The amendment would allow lawmakers to call themselves back whenever at least 60% of members of each body agree to the special session.

Senate Joint Resolution 102 now goes to the Office of the Secretary of State, who will draw up the exact wording of the ballot measure to be voted on in the 2022 November General Election.

The Nevada Legislature reopened its doors to the public April 15.

Lobbyists can attend hearings and schedule appointments with lawmakers but must submit to a COVID-19 rapid test before entering.

Only 63 members of the public, or one person per lawmaker, can enter the building by appointment.

Campaign Finance

New Jersey: “Morris County Lawyer Admits Falsifying Records as Part of Straw Donor Scheme” by Terence McDonald (Bergen Record) for MSN

Elections

National: “Dem Pollsters Acknowledge ‘Major Errors’ in 2020 Polling” by Steven Shepard for Politico

Ethics

National: “Ethics Panel Upholds Metal Detector Fines Totaling $15K Against Rep. Clyde” by Christina Marcos for The Hill

Illinois: “Longtime Precinct Captain for Indicted Ald. Edward Burke Pleads Guilty to Deceiving FBI in Corruption Probe” by Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

Missouri: “Missouri Legislators Investigating Rick Roeber Ask Prosecutor to Ensure ‘Safety’ of Child” by Jason Hancock (Missouri Independent) for Kansas City Star

New York: “‘Bond Girl’ Talk and Groping: Albany’s toxic culture for women” by Sydney Ember, J. David Goodman, and Luis Ferré-Sadurni for New York Times

Ohio: “Anti-Riot or Anti-Protest? Four Ohio Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Demonstrators” by Anna Staver (Columbus Dispatch) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Montana: “State Supreme Court Quashes GOP Subpoena Seeking Internal Judiciary Emails” by Mike Dennison (MTN News) for Missoula Current

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 12.

Key enacted legislation included the $1 billion pandemic relief enacted with Gov. Larry Hogan’s approval and sweeping police reform measures enacted despite Hogan’s veto.

Additionally, a hotly debated immigrants’ rights bill aimed at making Maryland a sanctuary state was also passed, but it is expected to be vetoed by Hogan.

The West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die on April 10 after passing the $4.5 billion state budget.

Other major bills passed include establishing an intermediate court of appeals, COVID-19 liability protections, and the very controversial prohibition of transgender student-athletes from playing in single-sex sports.

Governor Jim Justice will have up to 15 days to sign or veto the session’s passed legislation.

The Virginia General Assembly held the annual veto session on April 7.

While Gov. Northam issued no vetoes to passed legislation, the reconvened session focused on the several dozen amendments recommended by Northam.

Approved amendments included a contentious acceleration of the marijuana legalization plan and several changes to the budget bill.

The Wyoming Legislature adjourned sine die on April 7 after passing an increase to lobbying fees.

House Bill 148 raises the annual registration fee from $25 to $75.

Fees for individuals receiving $500 or less in compensation increases from $5 to $10.

The bill becomes effective July 1.

The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die Tuesday, March 30.

During the session, the Ethics Commission proposed Legislative Document 670 to increase the annual registration fees for lobbyists from $200 to $250 and lobbyist associates from $100 to $125.

The bill would have raised lobbyist registration fees for the first time in over 20 years but did not pass in the first regular session.

The Legislature also scheduled a special session to convene on April 28 regarding a proposed supplemental budget.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

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.

The 2021 session of the Mississippi Legislature adjourned sine die on April 4.

The session was mostly uneventful with most of the notable bills failing to pass including a proposal to overhaul the state tax system.

Among the measures that did pass were bills granting pay raises to teachers and an update to the state’s parole rules, which await the governor’s consideration.

This does affect lobbying reporting dates.

An end-of-session report is due on April 14, 10 days following adjournment sine die of the Legislature.

The 2021 regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 30.

Among the measures passed is Senate Bill 6, which requires the executive branch ethics commission to establish standards of ethical conduct for all transition team members, and to specifically address the role of transition team members who are or were registered lobbyists.

The bill requires transition team members to disclose positions held outside state government and all sources of compensation for the 12 months prior to transition team service.

This bill is effective June 28, 2021.

Georgia’s 2021 Legislative session adjourned sine die on March 31.

Among the measures passed is Senate Bill 202, which was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on March 25 and made sweeping changes to the State’s voting laws, including bans on mass mailings of unsolicited absentee ballot requests and polling places on buses among other changes.

Another controversial bill, Senate Bill 221, also passed and currently awaits gubernatorial approval.

Senate Bill 221 allows certain elected officials to chair and register PACs called a leadership committee which is not subject to the in-session contribution ban.

Further, contributions to and expenditures by these leadership committees are not subject to the state’s contribution limits.

Governor Kemp will have just over a month to consider action on Senate Bill 221, as well as, the other bills passed during the session.

The 96^th session of the South Dakota Legislature adjourned sine die on March 29.

During the session, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 112, permitting the governor to fill vacancies in several state offices by appointment with the advice and consent of the Senate.

If the Legislature is in recess, the governor is authorized to make a temporary appointment until the next session.

Also, House Joint Resolution 5003 submits a constitutional amendment to voters at the next primary election to require a three-fifths vote of the Legislature for any initiated constitutional amendment or measure that increases taxes or obligates the state to appropriate funds of $10 million or more in any of the first five fiscal years after enactment.

If passed, the constitutional amendment would be effective upon voter approval.