January 14, 2021 •
Florida Legislature Instituting COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Committee Meetings
![Florida Legislature Instituting COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Committee Meetings](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Florida-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Florida Capitol Building
The Florida House and Senate have instituted COVID-19 safety protocols during committee meetings ahead of the 2021 legislative session. For the month of January, Senate committee meetings will be limiting in-person attendance to individuals invited by the committee leaders. Rooms […]
The Florida House and Senate have instituted COVID-19 safety protocols during committee meetings ahead of the 2021 legislative session.
For the month of January, Senate committee meetings will be limiting in-person attendance to individuals invited by the committee leaders.
Rooms at the Leon County Civic Center have been reserved and will be made available to other individuals wishing to remotely appear and provide testimony.
House committee meetings attendance will also be limited.
Individuals seeking to attend and provide public testimony must register online at least three hours prior to the meeting.
Once seating capacity is reached, individuals will be allowed to provide written testimony.
The testimony will then be distributed amongst the committee members prior to the meeting.
The new House protocols will be in effect until February 28.
January 14, 2021 •
Illinois Elects New Speaker at the Start of the 2021 Session
![Illinois Elects New Speaker at the Start of the 2021 Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/illinois-springfield-capitol-and-sky-1000x563.jpg)
Illinois State Capitol Building
The Illinois House elected Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch as speaker of the House. This took place shortly after the swearing-in of newly elected General Assembly members, to start the 2021 regular session. Welch succeeds Rep. Michael Madigan, the longest-serving statehouse […]
The Illinois House elected Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch as speaker of the House.
This took place shortly after the swearing-in of newly elected General Assembly members, to start the 2021 regular session.
Welch succeeds Rep. Michael Madigan, the longest-serving statehouse speaker in U.S. history, and becomes the first Black person to hold the position.
Three women who were running for the position withdrew before the vote after Welch entered the race following an announcement by Madigan he was suspending his own campaign.
January 14, 2021 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session
![Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Wisconsin-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Wisconsin State Capitol Building
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he was calling a special session of the Legislature during his State of the State address, delivered virtually for the first time in the state’s history. He called the special session to consider the State […]
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he was calling a special session of the Legislature during his State of the State address, delivered virtually for the first time in the state’s history.
He called the special session to consider the State Unemployment System.
Evers explained that, due to an outdated system, the Department of Workforce Development has struggled to keep up with an unprecedented number of claims.
January 12, 2021 •
Colorado to Pause Legislative Session Due to COVID-19
![Colorado to Pause Legislative Session Due to COVID-19](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Colorado-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Colorado Capitol Building
The Colorado Legislature will convene for the 2021 regular session on January 13. However, it is expected to pause soon after until February 16 due to growing COVID-19 concerns in the state. Lawmakers will convene to address urgent business, including […]
The Colorado Legislature will convene for the 2021 regular session on January 13.
However, it is expected to pause soon after until February 16 due to growing COVID-19 concerns in the state.
Lawmakers will convene to address urgent business, including swearing in new members, as quickly as possible before temporarily pausing the session.
The tentative plan is to resume February 16 when leaders hope the peak of the pandemic will have subsided. However, work may resume earlier if there is an emergency that requires immediate attention.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
January 11, 2021 •
Illinois Legislature Begins Lame Duck Session
![Illinois Legislature Begins Lame Duck Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/illinois-springfield-capitol-and-sky-1000x563.jpg)
Illinois State Capitol Building
The Illinois Legislature began a final session for the 101st General Assembly on January 8. The Senate met at the Capitol while the House met at the Bank of Springfield Center. The separate meeting locations accommodated social distancing due to […]
The Illinois Legislature began a final session for the 101st General Assembly on January 8.
The Senate met at the Capitol while the House met at the Bank of Springfield Center.
The separate meeting locations accommodated social distancing due to COVID-19 concerns.
Rep. Patrick Windhorst indicated if ethics reforms were not addressed, he would refile a proposal for the 102nd General Assembly, set to convene January 13.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan announced he is suspending his bid for another term as speaker, but is not withdrawing from the race.
A speaker must be elected before the House of Representatives can begin work.
January 11, 2021 •
Which Legislatures are in Session This Week?
![Which Legislatures are in Session This Week?](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Michigan-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
Michigan State Capitol - By Brian Charles Watson
Another new batch of states are going in session this week! Are you ready? Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Delaware Georgia Idaho Illinois Iowa Maryland Michigan New Jersey South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming It’s […]
Another new batch of states are going in session this week! Are you ready?
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
It’s another big week in a busy legislative year. Stay in touch with lobbycomply.com to see when the other starts will convene.
January 8, 2021 •
North Dakota Legislature Permits Remote Testimony for 2021 Session
![North Dakota Legislature Permits Remote Testimony for 2021 Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/North-Dakota-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
North Dakota Capitol Building
The North Dakota Legislature convened January 5 for the 2021 session with improvements to live streaming and remote technology, making remote testimony by the public possible. Committee meetings and floor sessions will be carried live. House and Senate floor sessions […]
The North Dakota Legislature convened January 5 for the 2021 session with improvements to live streaming and remote technology, making remote testimony by the public possible.
Committee meetings and floor sessions will be carried live.
House and Senate floor sessions have been live-streamed, archived, and indexed online.
Anyone wishing to testify remotely must register online.
In-person testimony may be permitted by the committee chair, although committee rooms will have limited seating due to social distancing, and masks are required.
State lawmakers may participate remotely from home if infected, or from office space in the Capitol if desired.
While some lobbyists have indicated they may testify remotely, no lawmakers have indicated an intent to work remotely.
January 6, 2021 •
Vermont Legislature to Convene in Largely Remote Session
![Vermont Legislature to Convene in Largely Remote Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Vermont-Capitol-Dusk-1000x563.jpg)
Vermont Capitol Building
Both the Vermont House and Senate are scheduled to begin their 2021 sessions Wednesday, January 6. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of lawmakers will be attending remotely to swear in new members of both chambers and to […]
Both the Vermont House and Senate are scheduled to begin their 2021 sessions Wednesday, January 6.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of lawmakers will be attending remotely to swear in new members of both chambers and to elect the speaker of the House and the president pro tem of the Senate.
Gov. Phil Scott will remotely give his inaugural address on Thursday, January 7.
January 6, 2021 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
![Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LCNR-scaled-e1662491441383-1000x563.jpg)
Campaign Finance California: “Ex-Election Watchdog Urged to Probe Donation to Newsom Recall Bid” by Nathan Solis for Courthouse News Service New York: “Three Men Gave $250 Each to a Candidate for City Comptroller – and Say They Never Heard of […]
Campaign Finance
California: “Ex-Election Watchdog Urged to Probe Donation to Newsom Recall Bid” by Nathan Solis for Courthouse News Service
New York: “Three Men Gave $250 Each to a Candidate for City Comptroller – and Say They Never Heard of Him” by Clifford Michel for The City
Elections
Georgia: “Raphael Warnock Wins Georgia Runoff Election Against Sen. Loeffler, Lifting Democratic Hopes of Claiming Senate Majority” by Reis Thebault, Michael Scherer, and Cleve Wootson Jr. for Washington Post
Ethics
National: “‘Covid Can Kill’: Lawmakers issue fresh warnings about virus after death of Rep.-elect Luke Letlow” by David Nakamura and Fenit Nirappil (Washington Post) for MSN
California: “Former Oakland Building Inspector Accused of Bribery Fined $55,000 by Ethics Commission” by Annie Sciacca for San Jose Mercury News
Pennsylvania: “Ex-House Speaker John Perzel Wins 3rd and Likely Final Bid to Avoid Paying $1M for Corruption Conviction” by Matt Miller for PennLive.com
South Carolina: “Magistrate Judges Took Bribes, Stole Money and Mishandled Cases. South Carolina Officials Now Want Reform” by Joseph Cranney (Charleston Post and Courier) for ProPublica
Legislative Issues
National: “House Approves Rules Package for New Congress” by Juliegrace Brufke and Cristina Marcos for The Hill
Lobbying
North Dakota: “North Dakota Lobbyist Gift Ban Takes Effect; Ethics Bills Set in Legislature” by Jack Dura for Bismarck Tribune
January 4, 2021 •
Which Legislatures are in Session This Week?
![Which Legislatures are in Session This Week?](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Capitol-Dome-1000x563.jpg)
In 2021, every state—along with the District of Columbia, Federal Government, and Puerto Rico—will be in session…but not at the same time. A good number of them are starting this week…but which ones? Federal Connecticut District of Columbia Indiana Kentucky […]
In 2021, every state—along with the District of Columbia, Federal Government, and Puerto Rico—will be in session…but not at the same time.
A good number of them are starting this week…but which ones?
- Federal
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
It’s a big start for a big year. Stay in touch with lobbycomply.com to see when the other starts will convene.
January 4, 2021 •
Governor Calls for Special Session to Address Education Issues
![Governor Calls for Special Session to Address Education Issues](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Tennessee-capitol-blog-1000x563.jpg)
Tennessee State Capitol Building
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced the Legislature will convene for a special session on January 19, 2021 to address education challenges due to COVID-19. Lee has asked lawmakers to focus on key issues including learning loss, funding, accountability, literacy, […]
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced the Legislature will convene for a special session on January 19, 2021 to address education challenges due to COVID-19.
Lee has asked lawmakers to focus on key issues including learning loss, funding, accountability, literacy, and teacher pay.
January 4, 2021 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers Adjourn Special Session
![Wisconsin Lawmakers Adjourn Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/1024px-Madison_Wisconsin_Dec04_IMG_2790-1000x563.jpg)
Wisconsin Capitol - photo by Dori
Wisconsin Lawmakers ended the third special session on December 22, with a final adjournment pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. The session was called by Gov. Tony Evers and began on August 31, 2020. Wisconsin law does not require lawmakers […]
Wisconsin Lawmakers ended the third special session on December 22, with a final adjournment pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
The session was called by Gov. Tony Evers and began on August 31, 2020.
Wisconsin law does not require lawmakers to take any action during a special session and none was taken.
The constitution prohibits either chamber from adjourning without consent of the other for more than 3 days.
Lawmakers then convened and immediately adjourned every Tuesday and Thursday without taking any action until the final adjournment.
December 28, 2020 •
New York Lawmakers to Convene Special Session
![New York Lawmakers to Convene Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1024px-CityHallSpring_2_crop-1000x563.jpg)
New York City Hall by Beyond My Ken
The New York Legislature is set to convene a special session on Monday, December 28. Lawmakers are meeting to pass legislation extending the ban on residential evictions past its January 1, 2021 deadline. Tenants who present a legal document attesting […]
The New York Legislature is set to convene a special session on Monday, December 28.
Lawmakers are meeting to pass legislation extending the ban on residential evictions past its January 1, 2021 deadline.
Tenants who present a legal document attesting to lost income, inability to find employment, inability to afford the costs of moving, or have experienced increased expenses due to COVID-19 may have pending evictions within a month of the proposed bill’s effective date delayed until May 1, 2021.
December 23, 2020 •
Missouri’s Second Special Session Adjourns Sine Die
![Missouri’s Second Special Session Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Missouri-Capitol-Building-976x563.jpg)
Missouri Capitol Building
The second special session of the General Assembly adjourned sine die on December 16. The special session called by Gov. Mike Parson to focus on getting federal CARES Act funding distributed to the state began on November 5 and included […]
The second special session of the General Assembly adjourned sine die on December 16.
The special session called by Gov. Mike Parson to focus on getting federal CARES Act funding distributed to the state began on November 5 and included 10 legislative days interrupted by COVID-19.
Before adjourning lawmakers passed a bill to distribute the federal CARES Act funds.
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