Gov. Jim Justice issued a proclamation calling for the West Virginia Legislature to convene in special session on Monday, November 18.

The session will coincide with regularly scheduled interim committee meetings.

The purpose of the special session is to consider three bills.

The first bill would amend the West Virginia Tourism Act to extend the availability of the Tourism Development Act Tax Credit Program and authorize the tourism office to participate in reviewing, processing, and approving applications.

The second bill would bring certain DUI expungement procedures into compliance with federal law.

The third bill relates to spending authority for debt service payments on roads to prosperity general obligation bonds for rounds two and three.

Also on the call is legislation to pay for the special session.

Interim meetings are already scheduled for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

The Virginia State Crime Commission cancelled their planned November 12 meeting regarding gun control.

The meeting was scheduled to discuss eight bills proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam during the July special session.

Republican Majority Leader Todd Gilbert also stated the November 18 reconvened special session will become pro forma and lawmakers will not have to report to the General Assembly.

With the Democrats controlling the Legislature, lawmakers are expected to reintroduce the gun control issue in the upcoming January session.

Lawmakers are back in Springfield for a six-day abbreviated veto session to address major laws passed earlier this year.

The veto session convened October 28 through October 30, and reconvenes from November 12 through November 14.

The veto session agenda includes reviewing video gambling, marijuana, and vaping legislation.

Gov. Tony Evers called for the Legislature to convene in a special session on November 7 to vote on gun control legislation.

The bills require universal background checks for all firearm purchases in the state.

The legislation would also implement red-flag laws requiring people perceived as threats to surrender their firearms.

The impact of a special session may be limited, as lawmakers plan to convene and then immediately adjourn the special session on the same day without voting on the proposals.

On October 7, lawmakers in the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly solicited public input regarding what procedural rules they should follow.

The Standing Committee on Rules, Regulations, Private Bills and Privileges is seeking public input on the Rules of the Legislative Assembly, in particular on potential changes to the parliamentary calendar, sitting hours, and budget process.

Public comments and suggestions by individuals and organizations must be in writing and submitted to the Assembly by October 25.

Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a series of bills bringing an end to the special legislative session.

The governor signed two major bills making changes to the laws governing medical cannabis and beer.

Lawmakers approved a change to allow grocery and convenience stores a one-week grace period to purchase and store 4% beer before it can be sold to customers as the cap is lifted from 3.2% beer on Nov. 1.

Additionally, legislators passed changes to the state’s medical cannabis bill.

Lawmakers officially passed a legislative fix to an issue regarding vehicle sales during Gov. Mike Parson’s special session.

The session took place from September 9 to September 16, 2019.

Currently, the value of one previously owned motor vehicle, trailer, boat, or outboard motor may be used as a deduction against the sales tax owed on the purchase of any such vehicle within 180 days before or after a taxpayer sells a previously owned vehicle.

House Bill 1 expands the deduction to include the values of one or more previously owned motor vehicles, trailers, boats, or outboard motors.

Parsons stated if he hadn’t called lawmakers to Jefferson City, thousands of people would have suffered financial loss.

The bill will take effect 90 days after receiving Gov. Parson’s signature.

The Senate adjourned on Monday, bringing an end to the special legislative session.

Gov. Jim Justice called the special session after legislators failed to agree on education proposals following a two-day teacher strike in February.

The Senate adjourned its half of the special session during its scheduled interim meetings.

The House adjourned it’s session about two months ago.

The California Legislature adjourned the 2019 session on September 13.

Campaign Finance Bills Passed

The legislature passed several campaign finance bills during the session.

Assembly Bill 220 prohibits the use of campaign funds to pay for professional services not directly related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose. The bill also authorizes the use of campaign funds to pay for child care expenses resulting from a candidate or officeholder engaging in campaign activities or performing official duties.

Assembly Bill 571 makes a technical, nonsubstantive change to a provision of the Political Reform Act of 1974. The provision prohibits candidates for elective state office or committees controlled by that candidate from making a contribution to another candidate for elective state office in excess of $3,000.

Senate Bill 71 prohibits the expenditure of funds in a legal defense fund campaign account to pay or reimburse a candidate or elected officer for attorney’s fees or other legal costs.

The bill also prohibits the use of campaign funds for fines, penalties, judgments, or settlements, except as specified.

Electioneering Bill Passed

Assembly Bill 201 broadens the definition of mass mailing to include campaign-related mass texting. Mass text messages will be required to include the name or image of a candidate or refer to a ballot measure.

Lobbying Bill Passed

Assembly Bill 902 codifies current regulations into law, including regulations regarding filing deadlines, bookkeeping, and lobbyist registration.

The last day for the governor to sign or veto bills passed by the legislature during the 2019 legislative session is October 13.

The General Court of New Hampshire is set to reconvene this week for a veto session over 55 bills vetoed by Gov. Chris Sununu.

The Legislature will discuss bills relating to firearm sales, renewal energy, and campaign finance transparency.

Lawmakers will review Senate Bill 156 concerning political contributions by limited liability companies.

The bill requires political contributions made by a limited liability company to be allocated to members for the purpose of contribution limits.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet for two days on September 18 and 19. The Senate is scheduled for one day on Thursday, September 19.

Missouri lawmakers are back in Jefferson City for the annual veto session, beginning September 11 at 12 p.m. at the Missouri State Capitol.

The veto session gives lawmakers the ability to overturn any of Gov. Mike Parson’s six vetoes.

Two widely debated vetoes include outdoor cremations and whether to let motorcyclists ride without a helmet.

A two-thirds vote in the House and the Senate is needed to overturn a veto.

The veto session is running at the same time as a special session, which Gov. Parson called to address a vehicle tax credit issue.

The Hawaii Senate will convene in special session on September 16 to review gubernatorial nominees to the state courts.

The gubernatorial nominees up for consideration by the Senate are:

• • • Clyde J. Wadsworth to the Intermediate Court of Appeals as associate judge for a term of 10 years
    • Kevin A.K. Souza to the First Circuit Court for a 10-year term
    • Lisa W. Cataldo to the First Circuit Court for a term to expire in 10 years
    • Ronald G. Johnson to the First Circuit Court for a 10-year term
    • Trish K. Morikawa to the First Circuit Court for a term to expire in 10 years
    • John M. Tonaki to the First Circuit Court for a 10-year term
    • Jeffrey A. Hawk to the Third District Court for a six-year term

Hearings on the appointees before the Senate Committee on Judiciary are scheduled to begin on September 10.

Gov. Gary Herbert called for a special session of the Utah Legislature to convene on September 16.

The session will focus on issues related to dispensing medical cannabis, appropriating census funding, and making several other technical adjustments.

Legislators will have an opportunity to discuss and receive public comments on the issues, deliberate on matters, and take possible action.

Maine lawmakers voted to pass Gov. Janet Mills’ proposed $105 million bond to fund transportation efforts during the one-day special legislative session on Monday, August 26.

The transportation bond to upgrade roads, bridges, ports, rail and air transportation, and to repair culverts and restore a commercial fishing wharf will now head to the ballot for voters on November 5.

The three proposed bonds for land conservation projects; infrastructure and economic development; and environment and energy projects all failed to reach the two-thirds vote needed to pass.