May 30, 2019 •
Kansas Lawmakers Affirm Court Nominee and Adjourn Sine Die
The Kansas Legislature adjourned sine die on May 29. Lawmakers adjourned earlier in the month to allow the governor time to appoint a candidate to the Kansas Court of Appeals. On Wednesday, the Senate approved Sarah Warner to fill the […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned sine die on May 29.
Lawmakers adjourned earlier in the month to allow the governor time to appoint a candidate to the Kansas Court of Appeals.
On Wednesday, the Senate approved Sarah Warner to fill the vacant seat.
During the 59-day legislative session lawmakers introduced House Bill 2010 and Senate Bill 51.
The bills provide for restrictions on state officers and employees from engaging in lobbying for a specific period after resignation or expiration of employment.
Both bills failed to pass their respective chambers this session and will carryover to 2020.
May 30, 2019 •
Vermont General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 29. During the session the Legislature introduced a bill changing lobbying reporting dates from the 15th to the 3rd of the month. Lawmakers also introduced Senate Bill 157, proposing to grant […]
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 29.
During the session the Legislature introduced a bill changing lobbying reporting dates from the 15th to the 3rd of the month.
Lawmakers also introduced Senate Bill 157, proposing to grant the ethics commission authority to adopt an enforceable code of ethics, adjudicate complaints, and impose penalties upon finding a violation.
Both bills will carryover to 2020 as they failed to pass this legislative session.
May 28, 2019 •
Minnesota Legislature Ends One-Day Special Session After Passing Budget
Minnesota’s one-day special session ended early Saturday morning. The session ended with the legislature passing a $48 billion budget to fund the government for the next two years. The outline of the budget was agreed to during the regular session, […]
Minnesota’s one-day special session ended early Saturday morning.
The session ended with the legislature passing a $48 billion budget to fund the government for the next two years.
The outline of the budget was agreed to during the regular session, which ended on May 20 after reaching the maximum number of days the state’s constitution permitted.
A budget deal needed to be finalized by July 1 to avert a shutdown.
May 23, 2019 •
Minnesota Adjourns with Plans for Special Session
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, the latest possible day the state constitution allowed it to be in regular session. Lawmakers reached a bipartisan budget deal after extensive negotiations. However, Gov. Tim Walz will need to call […]
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, the latest possible day the state constitution allowed it to be in regular session.
Lawmakers reached a bipartisan budget deal after extensive negotiations.
However, Gov. Tim Walz will need to call a special session for lawmakers to work out and vote on the details.
May 20, 2019 •
Missouri Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The first regular session of the 100th General Assembly adjourned May 17 at 6 p.m. after four months in session. Several lobbying bills were introduced, including House Joint Resolution 48 which made its way to the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee. […]
The first regular session of the 100th General Assembly adjourned May 17 at 6 p.m. after four months in session.
Several lobbying bills were introduced, including House Joint Resolution 48 which made its way to the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee.
The committee voted do not pass on May 13. The bill would have banned all lobbyist gifts to lawmakers instead of the current $5 maximum limit.
Similarly, House Bill 1199 was introduced to amend the definition of a lobbyist principal to add an entity with authority to direct the lobbyists’ activities. The bill made its way through the Legislative Oversight Committee but did not pass either chamber.
The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on January 15, 2020.
May 17, 2019 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns, Governor Calls Special Session
The 31st Alaska Legislature adjourned the first regular session at the constitutional deadline on May 15. The legislature did not find resolution on some of the biggest issues including crime, the budget, and the dividend residents receive from the state’s […]
The 31st Alaska Legislature adjourned the first regular session at the constitutional deadline on May 15.
The legislature did not find resolution on some of the biggest issues including crime, the budget, and the dividend residents receive from the state’s oil-wealth fund.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy called a special session to begin on May 16.
The special session will be limited to discussing a crime reform package, an operating budget containing a full permanent fund dividend, a capital budget, funding for K-12 education, and a mental health trust budget.
May 10, 2019 •
South Carolina Legislature Calls Statewide Session
The 123rd General Assembly adjourned at 5 p.m. Thursday after approving a resolution allowing lawmakers to reconvene for a statewide session beginning May 20. Concurrent Resolution 785 provides that the General Assembly meet in a statewide session to consider special […]
The 123rd General Assembly adjourned at 5 p.m. Thursday after approving a resolution allowing lawmakers to reconvene for a statewide session beginning May 20.
Concurrent Resolution 785 provides that the General Assembly meet in a statewide session to consider special matters including any vetoes by Gov. Henry McMaster.
Additionally, the Assembly will consider bills that have passed both Houses in different versions and are in a conference committee.
The General Assembly will return at noon on May 20 and continue until not later than 5 p.m. on May 22.
May 7, 2019 •
Florida Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on May 4. The 61-day legislative session ran a day longer than expected as lawmakers passed a $91.1 billion state budget over the weekend. During the session, lawmakers failed to pass an ethics reform […]
The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on May 4.
The 61-day legislative session ran a day longer than expected as lawmakers passed a $91.1 billion state budget over the weekend.
During the session, lawmakers failed to pass an ethics reform bill revising post-service lobbying restrictions and executive branch lobbyist registration.
The Legislature passed House Bills 7021 and 7023 requiring the electronic filing of financial disclosures.
If signed by the governor, the electronic filing requirement is effective January 1, 2022.
May 6, 2019 •
Tennessee General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
The 111th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned May 2 after a nearly four-month session. During the session, Senate Bill 234 passed requiring any multicandidate political campaign committee registering a new committee to pay the appropriate registration fee. The fee is due […]
The 111th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned May 2 after a nearly four-month session.
During the session, Senate Bill 234 passed requiring any multicandidate political campaign committee registering a new committee to pay the appropriate registration fee.
The fee is due at the time the committee certifies its political treasurer.
Additionally, payment of the registration fee by one affiliated political campaign committee includes disclosed affiliated committees registering separately.
The bill became effective when signed by the governor on April 1.
The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on January 14, 2020.
May 6, 2019 •
Colorado General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
The 72nd Colorado General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 3 after 120 legislative days. During the session, House Bill 1007 passed creating contribution limits under the Fair Campaign Practices Act for county office candidates. Additionally, Senate Bill 68 passed […]
The 72nd Colorado General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 3 after 120 legislative days.
During the session, House Bill 1007 passed creating contribution limits under the Fair Campaign Practices Act for county office candidates.
Additionally, Senate Bill 68 passed expanding disclosure of electioneering communications.
The last day for the governor to act on bills for the 2019 session is June 2, 2019.
The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on January 8, 2020.
May 2, 2019 •
Hawaii Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 30th Hawaii Legislature adjourned sine die on May 2 after 60 legislative days in session. During the session, House Bill 165 passed adding a new registration and reporting requirement for noncandidate committees. Committees that do not intend to receive […]
The 30th Hawaii Legislature adjourned sine die on May 2 after 60 legislative days in session.
During the session, House Bill 165 passed adding a new registration and reporting requirement for noncandidate committees.
Committees that do not intend to receive contributions or make expenditures of more than $1,000 in an election period must notify the commission of its intent in the committee’s organizational report by the fifth calendar day, before the due date of the preliminary primary report.
The 31st Legislature is scheduled to convene on January 15, 2020.
May 1, 2019 •
Montana Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Montana Legislature adjourned Sine Die on April 25, 2019, three days before it was scheduled to adjourn on the 90th legislative day. During the session, Senate Bill 150 passed changing the method for filing and reviewing ethics complaints. The […]
The Montana Legislature adjourned Sine Die on April 25, 2019, three days before it was scheduled to adjourn on the 90th legislative day.
During the session, Senate Bill 150 passed changing the method for filing and reviewing ethics complaints.
The Legislature also passed Senate Bill 326 adding a new provision prohibiting campaign contributions from foreign nationals. Included in the prohibitions are expenditures for electioneering communications.
Other notable bills of the 375 passed during the 66th Legislature include a re-authorization of the state’s Medicaid expansion and several anti-abortion bills likely to be vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock.
April 30, 2019 •
Iowa Legislature Adjourns After Overhauling Disclosure and Filing Requirements
The Iowa Legislature adjourned sine die April 27 after a 104 day session. In addition to legalizing sports betting and instituting limits on local government property taxes, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill to modify disclosure requirements for gifts or […]
The Iowa Legislature adjourned sine die April 27 after a 104 day session.
In addition to legalizing sports betting and instituting limits on local government property taxes, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill to modify disclosure requirements for gifts or bequests to the state.
House File 393 requires the governor and executive departments to file the gift report electronically with the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board if receiving a gift or bequest on behalf of the state of over $50.
The bill removes filing requirements with the General Assembly and for any gift less than $50.
April 29, 2019 •
Washington Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Washington Legislature adjourned sine die April 28. During the 105-day legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 1195 amending the definitions of commercial advertiser and independent expenditure. House Bill 1195 requires independent expenditures to be reported electronically with the Public […]
The Washington Legislature adjourned sine die April 28.
During the 105-day legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 1195 amending the definitions of commercial advertiser and independent expenditure.
House Bill 1195 requires independent expenditures to be reported electronically with the Public Disclosure Commission if the aggregate value of similar expenditures from the same source exceeds $1,000.
The Legislature also passed House Bill 1379 raising the threshold for identifying and disclosing the top five contributors of a political advertisement sponsored by a political committee from $700 to $1,000.
House Bill 1379 requires political advertisements to disclose the sponsor’s top five contributors and if any are political committees the sponsor must also disclose the top three donors to those contributors.
The bills have been delivered to the Gov. Jay Inslee to sign, veto part of it, or veto all of it.
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