The Wyoming State Legislature adjourned sine die March 3, after passing 196 bills during the 37-day session.

Among the passed bills, the legislature ratified Senate Bill 40. Senate Bill 40 closed an exemption for federal political action committees (PACs) active in Wyoming elections.

Under the new law, federal PACs must file state campaign finance reports unless they are solely making contributions or expenditures to federal candidates or issues.

Other major bills passed during the quick session include universal tax-relief and an omnibus bill focusing on rehabilitating the state’s water infrastructure.

The Virginia Legislature adjourned the regular session on February 25 after 46 days.

Lawmakers considered over 2,800 pieces of legislation during this time and managed to pass over 1,600 bills in both the House and Senate.

Notably, the Legislature passed a “mini-budget” providing funding for urgent items for the state.

Budget negotiations will continue and the Legislature is scheduled to reconvene on April 12.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a special session during her State of the State address on March 7.

This session will begin March 8 and will focus on allocating the remaining $1.1 billion in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan.

Among the issues to be covered will be how to both pay debts and invest in broadband and water infrastructure projects.

The Florida Legislature has ended its special session today, February 10.

Legislators passed bills supporting state control over Disney’s special district, migrant flights, and police election units.

The bills will now be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis where it is expected he will sign the bills into law.

Lawmakers will now prepare for the start of their upcoming regular session on March 7.

The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will hold a special session this week to deal directly with Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Gov. Ron DeSantis previously pushed lawmakers to end the existence of Reedy Creek and in April of 2022, signed into law the legislation abolishing the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Now, the state must decide whether to assume control of the district and how to deal with the district’s debts.

The special session began February 6.

Campaign Finance

National: “Billions at Stake as Online Fundraising Practices Turn Off Voters” by Jessica Piper (Politico) for MSN

Virginia: “Virginia Senate Panel Blocks Campaign Finance Reform Bills, Again” by Graham Moomaw for Virginia Mercury

Ethics

National: “What the Jan. 6 Probe Found Out About Social Media, But Didn’t Report” by Cat Zakrzewski, Cristiano Lima, and Drew Harwell (Washington Post) for MSN

Maryland: “Former Delegate Pleads Guilty to Misconduct in Office for Misusing State Funds to Pay for Middle River Cottage” by William Zorzi for Maryland Matters

New Mexico: “Ex-GOP Candidate Arrested in Shootings at Lawmakers’ Homes” by Rio Yamat (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Legislative Issues

Washington: “Lawsuit Filed Over State Lawmakers’ Use of ‘Privilege’ to Deny Access to Public Records” by Shauna Sowersby for The Olympian

Lobbying

National: “How Restaurant Workers Help Pay for Lobbying to Keep Their Wages Low” by David Fahrenthold and Talmon Joseph Smith (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Ohio: “How Dark Money Groups Led Ohio to Redefine Gas as ‘Green Energy’” by Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) for MSN

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a special session of the General Assembly to begin Monday, January 9.

Both chambers have been called back to Harrisburg to consider a proposed amendment to Pennsylvania’s constitution seeking to aid survivors of child sexual abuse.

Lawmakers have until January 27 to act on the amendment in order for it to make it onto the May primary ballot.

The 101st Michigan Legislature adjourned sine die on December 28, 2022, after 88 legislative days in session.

During the session, lawmakers voted to pass House Joint Resolution R to amend section 10 of article IV of the Michigan Constitution to require certain disclosures and to modify limitations on terms of office of state legislators.

The resolution requires each member of the legislature, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, and the attorney general to electronically file an annual financial disclosure report by April 15, 2024, and annually thereafter, including gifts, travel payments and reimbursements, and payments to a charity in lieu of honoraria made by lobbyist or lobbyist agent.

The resolution also modifies term limits in section 54 of article IV of the Michigan Constitution to prohibit anyone from being elected as a state representative or senator for terms or partial terms that combined total more than 12 years. The resolution is to be submitted to voters at the next general election and will be effective upon voter approval.

The New York General Assembly will convene for a one-day special session on December 22 to consider pay raises for lawmakers.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers ordered a special election to be held on April 4, 2023.

The session is being held to fill a vacancy in the Senate District 8 seat created by the retirement of Sen. Alberta Darling.

If a primary election is necessary, it will be held on February 21, 2023.

Lawmakers will convene for a special session of the Connecticut General Assembly on November 28.

Lawmakers will discuss extending the gas tax holiday and the continued suspension of fares on all public transit buses.

Kentucky Voters defeated constitutional amendment 1, which would have permitted the Senate President and House Speaker to jointly call special sessions of the legislature lasting up to 12 days annually.

Only the Governor can call a special session.

The amendment would have also removed specific legislative session end dates from the constitution and instead limit sessions to 30 legislative days in odd-numbered years and 60 legislative days in even-numbered years.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves called a special session to be held to address a possible $2.5 billion business investment.

The session will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, with the expectation it will adjourn at the end of the day.

The special session of the Delaware General Assembly scheduled to convene October 26 was canceled.

Lawmakers planned to consider a bill related to health coverage changes for retired state workers, but a state superior court judge ordered a temporary halt to the state’s plan to switch insurance plans for retirees, rendering discussion of the bill moot.

Coverage under the current health plan extends for another year.

While the General Assembly as a whole will not convene, the Senate will hold a special session to consider the confirmation of several Gov. Carney appointees.