May 28, 2020 •
Arizona Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on May 26 after the Senate’s swift move to adjourn was approved. The Senate had voted to end the session when it convened previously on May 8. However, this vote was met with opposition […]
The Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on May 26 after the Senate’s swift move to adjourn was approved.
The Senate had voted to end the session when it convened previously on May 8.
However, this vote was met with opposition by Republican lawmakers.
The sine die adjournment leaves hundreds of bills dead that had been progressing through the Capitol before lawmakers postponed the session in March.
Gov. Doug Ducey is expected to call lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session in the coming weeks.
In this session they will deal with coronavirus-related legislation and the state budget.
May 26, 2020 •
New Mexico Governor to Call Special Legislative Session
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham targeted June 18 for the start of a special legislative session. The session will be held to adjust the state budget amid a major hit to expected revenue related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, […]
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham targeted June 18 for the start of a special legislative session.
The session will be held to adjust the state budget amid a major hit to expected revenue related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, Governor Grisham hopes to reach bipartisan agreement on financial measures.
As of now, the state is on track to re-open thousands of more businesses and services on June 1.
The legislative session is expected to span several days.
May 22, 2020 •
Rhode Island General Assembly Extends Delay and Schedules Committee Hearings
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has extended the delay of the legislative session. House and Senate legislative sessions have been canceled for the week of May 25 to May 29. Three Senate Committees are scheduled to […]
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has extended the delay of the legislative session.
House and Senate legislative sessions have been canceled for the week of May 25 to May 29.
Three Senate Committees are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 26, Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28.
The House Finance Committee is also expected to meet during the week and the schedule will be announced at a later date.
The State House building remains closed to the public due to the emergency.
The full General Assembly is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
May 22, 2020 •
Delaware General Assembly to Reconvene Virtually
Delaware lawmakers announced the General Assembly will reconvene virtually and livestream the sessions on YouTube. The House of Representatives will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 26, and the Senate will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 27. A link to each […]
Delaware lawmakers announced the General Assembly will reconvene virtually and livestream the sessions on YouTube.
The House of Representatives will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 26, and the Senate will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 27.
A link to each meeting of the House, Senate, and joint committees will be posted on the General Assembly’s website.
The Legislative Hall remains closed to the public until further notice.
May 22, 2020 •
Kansas Lawmakers Push Past Midnight to Conclude Legislative Session
Nearly five hours after the midnight deadline to adjourn, the Kansas legislature worked to approve legislation that would end the 2020 session on May 22. Lawmakers gathered on May 21 for a one-day close to the legislative session, but Republicans […]
Nearly five hours after the midnight deadline to adjourn, the Kansas legislature worked to approve legislation that would end the 2020 session on May 22.
Lawmakers gathered on May 21 for a one-day close to the legislative session, but Republicans in the house voted to continue past midnight.
The final bill on their agenda is centered around the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill curbs Gov. Laura Kelly’s emergency powers and gives more oversight to the legislature. It also gives the Legislative Coordinating Council appropriation power over the $1.25 billion in federal money. Originally, this money was allocated to Kansas in the CARES Act.
On the issue of disaster declarations, the bill extends Gov. Kelly’s current declaration from May 26 until the 31st.
Gov. Kelly would also be barred from issuing a new COVID-19 disaster declaration. To avoid this, at least six members of the State Finance Council would need to sign off on it.
The final parts of the bill continue some of Gov. Kelly’s executive orders, including on the sale of alcohol and telemedicine.
Lawmakers also passed legislation that would waive penalties and interest on late property taxes, a package of education bills, and an economic recovery loan program.
All legislation is now headed to Gov. Kelly’s desk. She can either sign the bills into law, veto them, or the bills would become law after 10 days without her signature.
May 21, 2020 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Alaska Legislature adjourned after approving Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s plan to spend over $1 billion in federal coronavirus funding. Lawmakers were spurred by a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the plans Gov. Dunleavy submitted to the Legislative Budget and Audit […]
The Alaska Legislature adjourned after approving Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s plan to spend over $1 billion in federal coronavirus funding.
Lawmakers were spurred by a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the plans Gov. Dunleavy submitted to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee.
They were submitted through a process allowing a governor to submit plans to accept and spend additional federal or other program funds on a budget item.
In addition, the committee agreed to more than $1 billion in plans despite concerns some of the items fell outside the scope of what can go through the committee process.
Following the vote, the Legislature adjourned the 2020 regular session, though members of the House and Senate have said a special session may be needed later in the year.
May 21, 2020 •
Iowa Legislature Will Remain Adjourned Until June 3
The Iowa Legislative Council extended the suspension of the 88th General Assembly’s 2020 regular session until 9:00 a.m. June 3. This comes due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and could only change if the adjournment is shortened or further extended […]
The Iowa Legislative Council extended the suspension of the 88th General Assembly’s 2020 regular session until 9:00 a.m. June 3.
This comes due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and could only change if the adjournment is shortened or further extended prior to that time.
This does not affect lobbying reporting.
May 20, 2020 •
Illinois House Reconvenes at Bank of Springfield Center
The Illinois House of Representatives reconvened for a special session on May 20 in the Bank of Springfield Center to accommodate social distancing due to COVID-19 concerns. Members were spread across the center’s makeshift House floor, sat at folding chairs […]
The Illinois House of Representatives reconvened for a special session on May 20 in the Bank of Springfield Center to accommodate social distancing due to COVID-19 concerns.
Members were spread across the center’s makeshift House floor, sat at folding chairs and desks with a free-standing microphone beside each lawmaker’s workstation.
Both House Republicans and Democrats went into caucus at the Bank of Springfield center shortly after they convened the special session.
The Republicans moved to another space within the convention center, and Democrats remaining on the floor.
The Senate reconvened on May 18 at the Capitol.
May 20, 2020 •
Alabama Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
On May 18, the final day of the regular session, the Alabama Legislature voted to approve with Gov. Kay Ivey’s amendment to Senate Bill 161. This amendment allocates the $1.8 billion received by the state from the CARES Act. Thus, […]
On May 18, the final day of the regular session, the Alabama Legislature voted to approve with Gov. Kay Ivey’s amendment to Senate Bill 161.
This amendment allocates the $1.8 billion received by the state from the CARES Act.
Thus, the Alabama Legislature now stands adjourned sine die.
May 19, 2020 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Minnesota Legislature left much unfinished when it adjourned sine die on May 18 as required by the constitution. Both chambers expect to be back in a special session on June 12 when Gov. Walz’s current declaration of a Peacetime […]
The Minnesota Legislature left much unfinished when it adjourned sine die on May 18 as required by the constitution.
Both chambers expect to be back in a special session on June 12 when Gov. Walz’s current declaration of a Peacetime Emergency ends.
If Walz wants to extend the emergency declaration again, he is obligated by law to call a special session to give both chambers the right to rescind his declaration by a majority vote.
Although Walz calls the session, the legislative branch decides when it ends.
This also takes away the governor’s power to set the agenda for the special session.
Most of the bills passed were in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, a Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding was formed to allow the House to continue conversations about the pandemic after wrapping up its regular legislative session.
May 19, 2020 •
Rhode Island General Assembly Extends Delay of Session
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Rhode Island General Assembly has extended the delay of the legislative session. House and Senate sessions have been canceled for the week of May 18 to May 22. Additionally, the House and Senate […]
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Rhode Island General Assembly has extended the delay of the legislative session.
House and Senate sessions have been canceled for the week of May 18 to May 22.
Additionally, the House and Senate Finance Committees are expected to review the administration’s third-quarter spending report this week.
Both chambers of the General Assembly are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 26.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
May 18, 2020 •
Wyoming Special Session Ends with Approval of Three Bills
The Legislature’s first special session since 2004 ended Saturday night with three bills headed to the desk of Gov. Mark Gordon for his consideration. The main task of the special session was to set up programs and time frames for […]
The Legislature’s first special session since 2004 ended Saturday night with three bills headed to the desk of Gov. Mark Gordon for his consideration.
The main task of the special session was to set up programs and time frames for the spending of $1.25 billion Wyoming received through the federal CARES act.
Though Gov. Gordon has the ultimate authority to spend the money, the approved legislation provides a broad outline of where that money will go.
May 18, 2020 •
South Carolina Legislature Recesses Until September
On May 12, the South Carolina Legislature met to approve a resolution allowing the state to continue to spend money until the budget can be addressed later this year. In addition to the budget and any potential legislation regarding the […]
On May 12, the South Carolina Legislature met to approve a resolution allowing the state to continue to spend money until the budget can be addressed later this year.
In addition to the budget and any potential legislation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legislature may take up any legislation that has passed either the House or the Senate during the fall session.
As of May 14, the Legislature stands recessed until September 15
May 14, 2020 •
Michigan Adjourns Until May 19 Due to Protests
Thursday’s legislative session was canceled and the Capitol in Lansing was closed due to an armed protest and death threats against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. At the end of the Senate session on May 13, lawmakers simply adjourned until May 19 […]
Thursday’s legislative session was canceled and the Capitol in Lansing was closed due to an armed protest and death threats against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
At the end of the Senate session on May 13, lawmakers simply adjourned until May 19 rather than call the next previously scheduled meeting.
The adjournment came in fear of a repeat of the events on April 30.
Armed protesters entered the Senate Chamber’s visitors gallery, standing above the members during the session.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued an opinion on May 11 saying the State Capitol Commission could ban firearms.
The commission voted to study a ban this week, and on May 12, Sen. Dayna Polehanki proposed Senate Resolution 118 to ban firearms in the Capitol.
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