Gov. Kay Ivey announced a special session to address how the state will use the remaining first-round funds from the American Rescue Plan.

Alabama still has about $443 million left to be used for pandemic-related health care services and reimbursement.

This session will begin on January 19.

The Oregon House Democratic Caucus nominated Rep. Dan Rayfield as speaker, replacing Rep. Tina Kotek.

House Democrats have also elected Rep. Julie Fahey as majority leader to replace Rep. Barbara Smith Warner.

These changes within the party stem from a mix of resignations to run for higher office and new focus on policies regarding housing.

Despite a request from Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Gov. Mike Parson did not file writs of election to fill the six vacancies in the Missouri House.

Ashcroft expressed disappointment after the Monday deadline to place special elections on the April ballot passed.

Without a special election, the six affected districts would go without representation until January 2023.

Missouri law calls for the governor to issue a writ of election without delay and House District 34 has been without representation since April 2021 when former Rep. Rick Roeber was expelled.

The other vacancies are House District 61, 65, 108, 114, and 147.

West Virginia Gov. Justice has called for a special session on January 10 to consider and act upon several items relating to economic development.

These items include a bill establishing a “West Virginia Industrial Advancement Act” and supplemental appropriation bills.

Leading up to the January 19 start date of the 2022 legislative session, Hawaii state leaders in the Senate and House have announced the state Capitol will be closed to the public due to rising concerns over the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

This announcement follows increasing numbers of positive COVID-19 cases across the state because of the Delta and Omicron variants.

The Capitol’s status will be reevaluated in the following weeks.

Additionally, the Senate and House floor sessions and hearings will be held remotely. There will be an announcement explaining how the public can submit testimony during this time.

Washington’s fast-approaching 2022 legislative session has hit a bit of a snag with the rampant Omicron variant.

The chief clerk of the House has announced that his chamber will hold its floor sessions remotely for the first two weeks of the session.

Only five lawmakers who are vaccinated, boosted, and masked, along with critical staff, will be allowed in the House chamber during the restrictions.

These policies will be reassessed every two weeks.

The Senate is looking into either a hybrid or fully remote sessions, though no final decision has been made.

The Illinois Legislature canceled two of the three days scheduled this week and may cancel the session for next week due to a spike in daily average of COVID-19 cases.

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced the House and Senate will not meet January 4 or January 6 and will convene only on Wednesday for organizational purposes and to empower committees to meet and vote remotely.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

The Oregon Legislature adjourned after their one-day special session.

Lawmakers passed a $215 million emergency rental assistance bill, with $100 million earmarked to immediately assist the looming eviction crisis.

Policymakers also passed a bill to combat illegal cannabis sellers, assist in Afghan refugee resettlement, and establish a $100 million fund to assist Oregonians impacted by last year’s harsh summer.

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned their special session on December 9.

Lawmakers approved new congressional maps and voted to override the governor’s veto of those maps.

Lawmakers also voted Del. Dereck Davis to serve as state treasurer.

Louisiana lawmakers plan to hold a three-week special session in February 2022 to address redistricting.

Several lawmakers are concerned that if the state’s population doesn’t grow enough, Louisiana could lose a Congressional district after the 2030 census.

The state’s population has only grown 3% over the last decade.

It is not yet clear when the special session is slated to begin.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will call the Legislature into a special session December 6 to finalize and approve new legislative district maps.

The special session will also address how to spend the outstanding American Rescue Plan Acts funds.

It is not yet clear when the session is slated to end.

For each separate expenditure of $500 or more made or incurred by a lobbyist or employer during a special legislative session, a report will be due within 48 hours.

The Georgia General Assembly adjourned the special session on November 22.

The special session was dedicated to the redrawing of state and federal districts, which passed mainly on party lines.

The newly approved maps were sent to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will call the Legislature back into a special session beginning December 7 to take up a tax cut plan.

The primary focus of the special session will be on the tax cut package that calls for reducing the state’s top income tax rate from 5.9% to 4.9%.

The package, which also includes corporate tax cuts and a low-income tax credit, would cost the state $135 million in the current fiscal year and grow to nearly $498 million when fully implemented in 2026.

While the session’s agenda will include several other items, Hutchinson said he does not plan to include a proposal to enact neighboring Texas’ unique law banning abortions six weeks into pregnancy.

Lawmakers, however, could vote to extend the session to take up abortion or any other items with a two-thirds vote of both chambers after the items on the agenda are considered.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced she will be calling the Legislature into a special session on December 13 to address eviction protections for renters.

The state’s federal funds for rental assistance will be nearly spent by December 1, right before the country enters the winter season.

Brown wishes to extend eviction protections for renters, ensure landlords are paid for rent owed, raise $90 million additional funds for immediate rental assistance, and raise $100 million to create a long-term emergency rental assistance service controlled by the state.