The 91st General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 1, 2017. A half hour after adjourning, the Legislature convened a special session. The special session was called to address approving authorization for Arkansas Works waivers, restructuring the Arkansas Health Insurance […]
The 91st General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 1, 2017. A half hour after adjourning, the Legislature convened a special session.
The special session was called to address approving authorization for Arkansas Works waivers, restructuring the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace, cleaning up medical marijuana laws, and boosting long-term reserve funding for Arkansas.
The special session is likely to adjourn by the end of the week.
May 2, 2017 •
Montana Legislature Adjourns
The Montana Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session April 28, 2017. House Bill 340, eliminating the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, made it through the House but was tabled in the Senate and did not pass. Senate Bill […]
The Montana Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session April 28, 2017. House Bill 340, eliminating the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, made it through the House but was tabled in the Senate and did not pass.
Senate Bill 368, increasing contribution limits for both individuals and political action committees and placing the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices under the jurisdiction of the state Attorney General, passed at the last minute and will be sent to the Governor.
The Montana Legislature will pick up again in January 2019.
May 2, 2017 •
North Dakota Adjourns Legislative Session
The North Dakota Legislature adjourned its legislative session on April 27. The session lasted 77 days, ending ahead of the 80-day maximum set by the Constitution. Lawmakers approved a $13.6 billion budget for the 2017-2019 biennium before adjourning.
The North Dakota Legislature adjourned its legislative session on April 27.
The session lasted 77 days, ending ahead of the 80-day maximum set by the Constitution.
Lawmakers approved a $13.6 billion budget for the 2017-2019 biennium before adjourning.
Effective July 30, 2017, Arkansas constitutional officers are prohibited from soliciting or accepting loans from lobbyists. Senate Bill 7, now known as Act 1108, amends the definition of gift to include any advance or loan. The bill excludes an advance […]
Effective July 30, 2017, Arkansas constitutional officers are prohibited from soliciting or accepting loans from lobbyists.
Senate Bill 7, now known as Act 1108, amends the definition of gift to include any advance or loan. The bill excludes an advance or loan made in the ordinary course of business by a financial institution or business regularly extending credit.
Bills signed during the regular session are effective 90 days after the final, official day of session, unless otherwise specified. The 91st General Assembly is set to adjourn sine die on May 1, 2017.
April 27, 2017 •
West Virginia Special Session Called to Address Budget
On April 26, Gov. Jim Justice called for a special session set to convene May 4 to approve a budget plan. The state currently faces a $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget and there is little consensus […]
On April 26, Gov. Jim Justice called for a special session set to convene May 4 to approve a budget plan. The state currently faces a $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget and there is little consensus among lawmakers on how to address the deficit.
The fiscal year begins July 1, and a budget bill needs passed prior to that date or the state government will face a shut down.
April 27, 2017 •
Iowa Adjourns Sine Die
The Iowa General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 22, 2017. Legislators approved a state budget of $7.293 billion, effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018. Gov. Terry Branstad must sign or veto any bills received in the […]
The Iowa General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 22, 2017. Legislators approved a state budget of $7.293 billion, effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018.
Gov. Terry Branstad must sign or veto any bills received in the last three calendar days of the legislative session within 30 calendar days.
April 27, 2017 •
Indiana Adjourns Sine Die
The 2017 Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 22, 2017. Gov. Eric Holcomb has until April 29 to take action on any bills presented to him. In Indiana, if no action is taken within seven days of presentment, […]
The 2017 Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 22, 2017.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has until April 29 to take action on any bills presented to him. In Indiana, if no action is taken within seven days of presentment, bills automatically become law.
Photo of the Indiana Statehouse by HstryQT on Wikimedia Commons.
April 27, 2017 •
Mississippi Governor Calls Special Session
Gov. Phil Bryant announced a special session of the state legislature will begin on June 5, 2017. Lawmakers will continue work on the budget for fiscal year 2018 left unfinished at the end of the regular session. Gov. Bryant, who […]
Gov. Phil Bryant announced a special session of the state legislature will begin on June 5, 2017. Lawmakers will continue work on the budget for fiscal year 2018 left unfinished at the end of the regular session.
Gov. Bryant, who has sole authority to call special sessions and set the agenda, will announce other issues, if any, the session will cover closer to June 5.
April 25, 2017 •
Washington Legislature Begins Special Session
On April 23, the Washington Legislature adjourned the regular session sine die. Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill during the regular session, forcing a special session to start Monday, April 24. A two-year operating budget needs […]
On April 23, the Washington Legislature adjourned the regular session sine die.
Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill during the regular session, forcing a special session to start Monday, April 24.
A two-year operating budget needs to be signed into law by June 30 or the state faces a partial government shutdown.
April 21, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – April 21, 2017
See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
April 18, 2017 •
Alaska Legislature Continues in Session
The Alaska Legislature will remain in session despite its April 17 deadline, with lawmakers still working to pass a budget bill and other deficit reduction measures. A voter initiative passed in 2006 limits the legislative session to 90 days, but […]
The Alaska Legislature will remain in session despite its April 17 deadline, with lawmakers still working to pass a budget bill and other deficit reduction measures.
A voter initiative passed in 2006 limits the legislative session to 90 days, but legislators often continue after the deadline and follow the constitutional deadline of 121 days.
If more time is needed after the constitutional deadline, a special session would need to be convened.
April 17, 2017 •
Monday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Former Trump Campaign Chairman to Register as Foreign Agent” by Jeff Horwitz, Chad Day, and Julie Pace (Associated Press) for ABC News “United Airlines Spent Millions Fighting Proposals to Protect Passenger Rights” by Frank Bass (MapLight) and David Sirota […]
Lobbying
“Former Trump Campaign Chairman to Register as Foreign Agent” by Jeff Horwitz, Chad Day, and Julie Pace (Associated Press) for ABC News
“United Airlines Spent Millions Fighting Proposals to Protect Passenger Rights” by Frank Bass (MapLight) and David Sirota for International Business Times
Missouri: “Ethics 101: What defines a lobbyist in Missouri?” by Jennifer Moore for KSMU
Pennsylvania: “Environmental Group Fined by State Ethics Commission” by Marie Cusik for StateImpact Pennsylvania
Campaign Finance
Colorado: “In Colorado, Lawmakers Clash Over a Dark Money Loophole” by Corey Hutchins for Colorado Independent
New Jersey: “2 Birdsall Execs Admit Roles in $1M Pay-to-Play Scheme” by S.J. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger
Ethics
“Trump Administration Won’t Release White House Visitor Logs” by Jordan Fabian for Roll Call
“Trump Organization Drops Plans for Dallas Hotel with ‘Turkish Trump’” by Ben Protess and Steve Eder for New York Times
Alabama: “For Alabama Christians, Governor Bentley’s Downfall Is a Bitter Blow” by Alan Blinder for New York Times
Minnesota: “Minnesota Ballpark Authority Limits Use of Publicly Owned Target Field Suite to Charities” by Rochelle Olson for Minneapolis Star Tribune
North Carolina: “Veto Fight Ahead Over Elections Board Rewrite” by Laura Leslie and Michael Burns for WRAL
Pennsylvania: “Former Top Aide to Rendell Gets Probation in Pay-to-Play Probe” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer
Texas: “Top Liquor Regulator Got ‘Hazardous Duty’ Pay on Hawaii Junket” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune
Elections
Arizona: “Senate Republicans Pass Bill Targeting Arizona Initiatives” by Bob Christie (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report
Legislative Issues
Alabama: “Bill: Legislature could compel impeachment testimony” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertisor
Iowa: “Iowa to Become Latest State to Allow Guns in Its Capitol” by Barbara Rodriguez (Associated Press) for Des Moines Register
April 14, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – April 14, 2017
See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
April 11, 2017 •
Maryland Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 2017 regular session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die right before midnight on April 10, 2017. The General Assembly revamped criminal justice policies, but failed to pass long overdue income tax breaks for Maryland residents. As a […]
The 2017 regular session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die right before midnight on April 10, 2017.
The General Assembly revamped criminal justice policies, but failed to pass long overdue income tax breaks for Maryland residents.
As a result, a potential special session may be required to approve a tax relief plan.
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