LobbyComply Blog

The first regular session of the 91st Iowa General Assembly, though scheduled to adjourn on May 2, continues in an overtime session. Lawmakers have not passed a new state budget, which is required before they can officially adjourn. Some Senators are refusing to vote on any budget bills unless the Iowa Senate first takes up a bill to restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. Several bills affecting lobbying and campaign finance were introduced during the session but have not passed. Senate Joint Resolution 11, if approved by voters, would amend the Iowa Constitution to require a two-thirds vote of both chambers of the General Assembly to increase the individual or corporate income tax rate. The measure was previously approved in the 2023–2024 legislative session as House Joint Resolution 2006. In order to pass the amendment and send the measure to voters on the November 2026 ballot, the resolution will need to be approved by the state House in the 2026 legislative session because Iowa requires constitutional amendments to pass in two consecutive two-year legislative sessions.

The Hawaii Legislature adjourned sine die on May 2 after 60 days in session. During the session, lawmakers passed multiple bills related to lobbying. House Bill 413 clarifies lobbyist contributions are prohibited in periods during which both chambers are in session. House Bill 412 establishes certain presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients; makes contracts voidable when entered into in violation of the state lobbying law under certain conditions; and expands the definition of lobbying to include certain communications with government officials regarding procurement decisions. Senate Bill 289 establishes uniform provisions for the assessment of administrative penalties under the State Ethics Code and Lobbyist Law. If signed, House Bill 413 will take effect immediately and House Bill 412 will take effect January 1, 2027. Senate Bill 289 was signed by Gov. Green on April 11 and took effect upon its approval.

The 57th Arizona Legislature adjourned its first regular session sine die on May 1. During the session, the legislature amended the law to require a filing officer not accept a complaint from a third party unless the complaint is filed by an individual who submits evidence that the individual is an identifiable human being. It also passed a law mandating homeowners’ associations not prohibit the display of specific flags or political signs that attempt to influence the outcome of an election, which the governor signed into law on May 2.

The 69^th legislature adjourned sine die on April 30. Lawmakers were busy passing various bills related to campaign finance and lobbying. House Bill 759 provides for limitations that only a limited liability company which is taxed as a sole proprietorship or a partnership, or a partnership taxed as a partnership, may make contributions to a candidate. The contributions must be reported under the name of the member or partner making the contribution with the member or partner being subject to the individual contribution limits. Senate Bill 25 regulates the use of AI and deepfakes in elections. The legislation provides for various definitions, a prohibition on the use of deepfakes in election and electioneering communications within 60 days of an election, with this prohibition not applicable if the communication includes a specified disclosure. House Bill 804 both increases and codifies the lobbyist payment threshold from $2,150 to $3,000. The monthly calendar reports due on the 15^th of each month in which the principal has spent $5,000, will now be due each month in which the principal has spent $3,000. These bills have been sent to the governor and if approved, will become effective October 1. This affects lobbyist reporting. The end-of-session report is now due May 30.

The first regular session of the 124th General Assembly adjourned sine die. Lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting a political action committee from accepting a contribution or expenditure from a foreign national, effective July 1. Several bills awaiting the governor’s signature include House Bill 1679, modifying the definition of candidate for purposes of campaign finance law, House Bill 1680, prohibiting the Election Commission from Issuing advisory opinions and invalidating any advisory opinion issued by the commission before July 1, 2025, and Senate Bill 287, permitting school board candidates to declare a political party affiliation. Gov. Mike Braun has seven days to sign legislation once it lands on his desk. If he does not sign a bill, it becomes law. If he vetoes a bill, the Legislature can override the veto with a majority vote in both houses.

Lawmakers adjourned sine die April 22, a day earlier than expected. Several political spending bills did not make it out of committee, including a foreign principal bill requiring additional reporting from lobbyists and a campaign finance bill empowering the Registry of Elections to promulgate a list of examples constituting in-kind contributions requiring disclosure. Passed bills included the budget bill and a bill increasing funds for child advocacy centers.

The West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die April 12. An elections bill has passed both houses and is awaiting governor approval. Senate Bill 50 changes the date of all municipal elections to coincide with statewide elections. This bill will require municipalities to adopt new rules to make sure they coincide with the state’s planned election dates.

The Legislature adjourned sine die on April 11. Lawmakers passed various bills related to campaign finance, including House Bill 2054, which increases the state’s contribution limits. House Bill 2106 prohibits contributions or expenditures from foreign nationals regarding campaigns to amend the Kansas Constitution. The bill also mandates constitutional amendment campaigns disclose contributions over $50 and certify they and their donors have not accepted significant foreign funds. House Bill 2206 renames the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission to the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission and creates a new definition for cooperation or consent, in relation to express advocacy expenditures. The legislation also raises the limit from $10 to $50 in the amount of a political contribution an individual may accept without knowing the identity of the donor. House Bill 2054 is effective April 10, with House Bills 2106 and 2206 becoming effective  July 1.

The Maryland Legislature adjourned sine die at midnight on April 7. Several bills affecting government affairs were passed through both houses and are waiting on the governor’s desk to be signed. These bills include Senate Bill 945 and House Bill 945. Together, they will change the gubernatorial primary election date to the fourth Tuesday in June. Senate Bill 262 alters the dates for special elections, requiring them to be set within 90 days of being called. Senate Bill 633 allows registered lobbyists to complete ethics training online. These bills will be effective October 1, if signed by the governor.

Lawmakers adjourned abruptly last week on April 4, resulting in many bills being carried over to the second year of the session in 2026. One important passed bill awaiting the governor’s approval is Senate Bill 199. The bill removes the requirement for legislative lobbyists to report semi-monthly during the session. Under this new system only a single monthly report will be required for lobbyists beginning in 2026. The bill also changes campaign finance reporting requirements. Reports for election as well as nonelection years are due January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 20. This does affect lobbying reporting. The final semi-monthly lobbyist report is due April 15.

The 68^th Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, April 4. The session lasted 89 days with a focus on tax cuts but also included a passed bill affecting the Lobbyist Registration Act. House Bill 398 reorganizes the state’s Sunshine Laws by moving the lobbying provisions within Title 67, Chapter 66, State Government and State Affairs, to Title 74, Chapter 7, Transparent and Ethical Government. The bill also updates the definition of lobbying to clarify both direct and indirect efforts to influence covered officials are considered lobbying. The bill becomes effective July 1.

The 100th session of the Legislature adjourned sine die on March 31. Lawmakers convened for Veto Day and failed to override the two bills vetoed by Gov. Larry Rhoden. The many bills passed during the session included Senate Bill 164, prohibiting the use of a deepfake within 90 days of an election if it does not include a disclosure. Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 12, prohibiting a candidate or political committee from accepting a loan from a person if the principal amount of the loans and contributions made by the person exceeds the limit the candidate or political committee may accept as a contribution. Other bills passed included House Bill 1264, requiring the disclosure of an outstanding loan balance on a campaign finance disclosure report and Senate Bill 89, repealing the requirement that judicial officers be listed on a separate nonpolitical ballot.

The 2024 regular session of the General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 28, marking the last official action inside the Capitol for the next few years during a restoration project. Lawmakers will convene in a temporary structure on the Capitol campus during the project. Passed bills include House Bill 45, prohibiting foreign nationals from making campaign contributions; establishing reporting requirements for political issues committees and independent expenditures; and requiring a “paid for by” disclosure for ballot measure advertisements. Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 4, creating standards and guidelines for using artificial intelligence in state government and elections and requiring any electioneering communication using synthetic media to include a conspicuous disclosure.

The Mississippi Legislature adjourned early following tensions between the House and Senate concerning the state’s budget. The House adjourned following the Senate’s decision to ignore a deadline set by the House to consider extending the session. This decision puts the responsibility onto Gov. Tate to call a special session prior to July 1 so that both houses can reach an agreement. This does affect lobbying reporting. The lobbyist end-of-session-activity report is due 10 days after the legislative session adjourned.