June 15, 2018 •
Potential Special Session on the Horizon for Maine
The Maine Legislature is polling members to decide if they should return for a special session. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House may call a special session if they have the consent of the majority […]
The Maine Legislature is polling members to decide if they should return for a special session.
The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House may call a special session if they have the consent of the majority of members.
Legislators want to finish business from the regular session regarding Medicaid expansion and minimum wage increases.
If agreed upon, the special session will likely be called for June 19.
June 7, 2018 •
New Hampshire Legislature Recesses
On May 24, the New Hampshire Legislature adjourned its final full day in session. The Legislature introduced a bill creating a full-time investigator position within the Department of Justice to enforce filing and disclosure requirements for election and lobbying laws, […]
On May 24, the New Hampshire Legislature adjourned its final full day in session.
The Legislature introduced a bill creating a full-time investigator position within the Department of Justice to enforce filing and disclosure requirements for election and lobbying laws, but it did not pass.
Recessed until the next call of the chair by the House and Senate, the legislative body may meet again for a veto session in the fall.
When lawmakers meet to organize in December for the 2019 legislative session, the 2018 session will be adjourned sine die.
June 5, 2018 •
Louisiana Legislature Adjourns Special Session
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned a special session late Monday night after passing a skeleton budget similar to one vetoed by Gov. Jon Bel Edwards at the end of the regular session in mid-May. Lawmakers wanted a more robust budget but […]
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned a special session late Monday night after passing a skeleton budget similar to one vetoed by Gov. Jon Bel Edwards at the end of the regular session in mid-May.
Lawmakers wanted a more robust budget but were unable to pass enough tax bills to fund it. The approved budget makes deep cuts to public universities and other state agencies.
Gov. Edwards has not said whether he will veto the passed budget but announced he will call another special session before the current fiscal year ends on July 1.
If the passed budget is signed by the Governor, Lawmakers will need to fund about $500 million in expiring taxes to avoid the dramatic budget cuts currently on the table.
June 4, 2018 •
Illinois Legislature Adjourns Spring Session
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned its spring session on Thursday, May 31. Prior to adjournment, lawmakers passed a $38.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year. Legislators also approved a bill with a series of ethics reforms related to complaints […]
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned its spring session on Thursday, May 31. Prior to adjournment, lawmakers passed a $38.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year.
Legislators also approved a bill with a series of ethics reforms related to complaints filed, investigated, or pending with the state’s inspectors general. The position of the legislative inspector general (LIG) will be a full-time permanent post, rather than the temporary special position it is now.
While the changes are a step in the right direction, many argue the reforms do not go far enough in making the complaint process more responsive. Critics are pushing for the LIG to be a completely independent position.
Currently, the LIG cannot investigate an ethics complaint made against legislators or legislative staff unless or until it receives permission from the Legislative Ethics Commission, a bipartisan panel of legislators.
The annual six-day veto session for the 100th General Assembly convenes November 13.
May 25, 2018 •
NYCU Video Digest – May 25, 2018
Cryptocurrency contributions, campaign disclosure changes, and tax breaks for small business all in this weeks quick News You Can Use Video Digest.
Cryptocurrency contributions, campaign disclosure changes, and tax breaks for small business all in this weeks quick News You Can Use Video Digest.
May 23, 2018 •
Vermont Lawmakers Reconvene for Special Session
Lawmakers reconvene today in Montpelier for a special session called by Gov. Phil Scott. The focus of the special session will be on the state budget and property tax bills passed by the General Assembly during the regular session. Gov. […]
Lawmakers reconvene today in Montpelier for a special session called by Gov. Phil Scott.
The focus of the special session will be on the state budget and property tax bills passed by the General Assembly during the regular session.
Gov. Scott has signaled to the Legislature his plan to veto both bills in their present form.
May 23, 2018 •
West Virginia Legislature Adjourns Special Legislative Session
The West Virginia Legislature adjourned a two-day special legislative session on May 21, 2018. Lawmakers passed eight bills, including a bill creating the Department of Arts, Culture, and History. Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill in March eliminating the Department […]
The West Virginia Legislature adjourned a two-day special legislative session on May 21, 2018.
Lawmakers passed eight bills, including a bill creating the Department of Arts, Culture, and History.
Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill in March eliminating the Department of Education and the Arts.
Under the new bill, the commissioner of culture and history will become the curator of arts, culture, and history and report directly to the governor.
May 22, 2018 •
Oregon Legislature Adjourns One-day Special Session
The Oregon Legislature adjourned a one-day special session on May 21, 2018. The special session was called by Gov. Kate Brown to address tax breaks for small businesses. The tax plan passed 51-8 in the House and 18-12 in the […]
The Oregon Legislature adjourned a one-day special session on May 21, 2018.
The special session was called by Gov. Kate Brown to address tax breaks for small businesses. The tax plan passed 51-8 in the House and 18-12 in the Senate.
Both votes included Democrats who broke from their party to vote against the measure.
May 21, 2018 •
South Carolina Legislature to Reconvene This Week for Two-Day Session
South Carolina lawmakers will return to the State House this week to deal with unfinished legislative business after legislators extended the 2018 sine die adjournment date for the General Assembly. Each house stands adjourned to meet in a two-day statewide […]
South Carolina lawmakers will return to the State House this week to deal with unfinished legislative business after legislators extended the 2018 sine die adjournment date for the General Assembly.
Each house stands adjourned to meet in a two-day statewide session beginning May 23 and another two-day session on June 27.
Following the June session, the General Assembly will stand in recess subject to the call of the speaker and president pro tempore.
Unless otherwise adjourned sine die at an earlier date, the 2018 session will adjourn sine not later than November 11, 2018.
May 21, 2018 •
West Virginia Governor Calls for Special Legislative Session
On May 18, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice issued a call for the West Virginia Legislature to meet in special session beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2018. The special session will be held during the Legislature’s regularly […]
On May 18, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice issued a call for the West Virginia Legislature to meet in special session beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2018.
The special session will be held during the Legislature’s regularly scheduled interim meetings that also began Sunday. The governor’s call included eight bills for the Legislature to address.
Several are meant to clarify some pieces of recently-passed legislation while others are supplemental appropriations.
May 21, 2018 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, 2018. The Legislature passed bills relating to misrepresenting service animals, prohibiting local governments from disarming police officers, and funding for the state’s vehicle license and registration system. Tensions between the Republican-controlled […]
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, 2018.
The Legislature passed bills relating to misrepresenting service animals, prohibiting local governments from disarming police officers, and funding for the state’s vehicle license and registration system.
Tensions between the Republican-controlled House and Democrat Gov. Mark Dayton were apparent during the final day of the session as Republicans sent a series of bills to Dayton similar to previously vetoed bills.
Dayton has reiterated he will not call a special session for any unfinished business.
May 18, 2018 •
NYCU Video Digest – May 18, 2018
Lots of legislatures adjourned this week, find out what they did in this edition of News You Can Use Video Digest!
Lots of legislatures adjourned this week, find out what they did in this edition of News You Can Use Video Digest!
May 17, 2018 •
Louisiana Legislature to Adjourn Early in Favor of Special Session
Gov. John Bel Edwards announced this week that the Louisiana Legislature will adjourn Friday, three weeks ahead of its scheduled date of adjournment. An early end to the regular legislative session will allow Legislators to convene in a special legislative […]
Gov. John Bel Edwards announced this week that the Louisiana Legislature will adjourn Friday, three weeks ahead of its scheduled date of adjournment.
An early end to the regular legislative session will allow Legislators to convene in a special legislative session scheduled to start on May 22.
The special session to address the state’s budget crisis will adjourn no later than June 4, the scheduled adjournment date of the regular session. At stake is $648 million in temporary taxes set to expire on July 1.
A February special session aimed at the budget failed to pass any taxes to close the budget gap.
May 17, 2018 •
Vermont Governor Calls Special Session
Gov. Phil Scott called a special session for May 23, 2018. The governor is planning to veto the state budget and property tax bills passed during the regular session. Gov. Scott has promised to veto any legislation that increases taxes […]
Gov. Phil Scott called a special session for May 23, 2018. The governor is planning to veto the state budget and property tax bills passed during the regular session.
Gov. Scott has promised to veto any legislation that increases taxes or fees. If vetoed, the Legislature has until the end of June to pass a spending bill before the new fiscal year commences on July 1.
Lawmakers hope Gov. Scott will sign the current bills and make the special session unnecessary.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.