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.

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.

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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.

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

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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.

On April 9, the West Virginia Legislature wrapped up its regular legislative session.

The House and Senate passed a spending plan prior to adjournment; however, the governor is expected to veto the bill and call a special session after further negotiations to finalize a more acceptable budget bill.

The fiscal year begins July 1 and a special session would need to be called prior to that date.

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Gov. Jim Justice signed a proclamation to extend the legislative session by one day to an adjournment date of April 9. The extension is required by the constitution since the Legislature has not yet passed a budget bill.

More time may be needed for lawmakers to pass a budget as there is little agreement among lawmakers on how to address West Virginia’s $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget.

Both the House and Senate advanced budget bills on Wednesday, April 5; however, Justice indicated he plans to veto either plan that reaches his desk.

An extended session appears likely for West Virginia’s Legislature.

Lawmakers have yet to approve a budget and the regular session is set to adjourn April 8. 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 constitution requires the Governor to issue a proclamation extending the session if the Legislature has not passed a budget bill by the 57th day of the 60-day regular session. Wednesday, April 5, is the 57th day of the session.

The Kentucky General Assembly adjourned the 2017 regular session sine die on March 30, 2017. Working late into the evening, lawmakers approved several bills to send to Gov. Matt Bevin’s desk.

The Republican-controlled legislature passed right-to-work and anti-abortion bills, as well as a repeal of a prevailing wage law.

Stronger controls over prescription pain medication and penalties for trafficking synthetic opioids were also approved.

The next legislative session begins in January, 2018.

The Georgia Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session sine die yesterday, March 30, 2017.

In the final days of the session, lawmakers tackled issues such as a campus gun bill, tax credits, and medical marijuana.

Georgia is one of 17 states prohibiting guns on university campuses and Gov. Nathan Deal has shown his opposition to the issue, particularly by vetoing a similar bill last year.

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