Lawmakers have agreed to push the final day of the 2016 legislative session from April 12 to April 15 so they can continue working out a deal on the state’s budget. The change was made to avoid a costly special session after negotiations failed Sunday evening.

The General Assembly is only permitted to convene one more day this year and must adjourn by April 15 at midnight. Leadership from both houses will continue closed-door negotiations, hoping to have an agreement ready for a vote on Friday.

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned late Monday, April 11, 2016, after passing legislation reforming the state’s criminal justice system.

Unable to pass legislation reducing the state’s income tax during the final hours of the session, some lawmakers suggested Gov. Hogan call a special session. In response, according to the Baltimore Sun, Hogan said, “These guys can’t seem to get their act together. I’m not sure that would change with a special session.”

The 90th Arkansas General Assembly entered its second extraordinary session on Wednesday, April 6, to consider Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Medicaid proposal. Hutchinson believes the proposal can expand the state’s Medicaid program while also encouraging recipients to stay employed and to take responsibility for their health care.

The legislature’s fiscal session is slated to convene on Wednesday, April 13.

Photo of Arkansas State Capitol Building by Stuart Seeger on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying
Missouri: “Missouri Lawmakers Strike a Deal on Revolving-Door Lobbyist Ban” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

New York: “Vote to Close ‘LLC Loophole’ Deadlocks, but Could Impact Lawsuit” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Virgina: “Virginia Lawmakers Banish Pricey Gifts – But Not Fundraisers” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for ABC News

Ethics

“Ethics Watchdog Urges Full Probe of Senate Hopeful Grayson” by Cristina Marcos for The Hill

Alabama: “Lawmaker Takes First Step in an Effort to Impeach Alabama’s Governor” by Campbell Robertson and Alan Blinder for New York Times

Connecticut: “Former Investment Director for Quasi-Public Agency Fined In Ethics Probe” by David Altimari for Hartford Courant

Massachusetts: “Prosecutors Investigate Fees Collected by Joyce on Randolph Projects” by Andrea Estes and Shelley Murphy for Boston Globe

Elections

“Trump Effect Hits Dem Convention” by Megan Wilson Megan Wilson for The Hill

Legislative Issues

Tennessee: “Bible Could Soon Be Tennessee’s Official Book” by Katie Rogers for New York Times

The Wisconsin Senate announced this month it is unlikely to meet again this year, bringing an unofficial end to a two-year session. Both houses of the legislature may choose to reconvene for a brief floor period in April.

The legislature made several significant strides while in session, including partially eliminating the state’s prevailing wage, passing a contentious budget, replacing the Government Accountability Board with ethics and elections commissions, and overhauling state campaign finance laws.

The Washington State Legislature adjourned its special session on March 29, 2016. The special session was needed to pass a supplemental budget.

The new budget plan increases spending by $191 million.

The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 25, 2016.

Lawmakers agreed to a 7.4 percent increase in the education budget, but did not pass a tax cut proposal or Medicaid expansion.

Photo of the Idaho State Capitol by Maxbatt in Wikimedia Commons.

The General Assembly adjourned sine die following a long  final session day on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Lawmakers worked just past their midnight deadline, sending several bills to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.

Any bills not passed by the adjournment deadline cannot become law.

Photo of the Georgia State Capitol dome by Connor.carey on Wikimedia Commons.

The North Carolina Legislature adjourned a special session on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.

Before adjourning, the Legislature ratified a bill to block local governments from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances regarding the use of public bathrooms.

North Carolina legislative leaders have announced a special legislative session convening Wednesday, March 23 to address a Charlotte nondiscrimination ordinance that would otherwise take effect April 1.

The regular session of the General Assembly is not scheduled to meet until April 25.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker is willing to call a special legislative session if lawmakers do not pass his tax or revenue proposals to address the growing budget deficit. The state Department of Revenue forecasts a dramatic drop in overall funding and predicts low oil prices will continue for several more years.

To help shrink the multi-billion dollar deficit, Walker proposed tax increases, including the reinstitution of a personal income tax. He also suggested restructuring the use of the Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to change how the annual dividends most Alaskans receive are calculated.

The regular legislative session is set to adjourn April 17.

Photo of Gov. Bill Walker by James Brooks on Wikimedia Commons.

The West Virginia Legislature reached the end of its 60-day session on March 12, 2016, without an agreement on the state’s budget. As required by the state’s constitution, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has issued a proclamation of a three-day extended session where lawmakers will work to finalize the budget. The extended session will begin on March 14, 2016.

If unsuccessful, the governor has indicated he will call for a special session.

The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 11, 2016, a day earlier than scheduled. Among its accomplishments is a new, two-year $105 billion budget and some adjustments to the new ethics rules passed last year.

If approved by the governor, lobbyists will file reports annually on July 1 for the preceding 12-month period, rather than the current semi-annual reporting, and items under $20 would be excluded from the definition of a gift.

Other, more extensive changes were proposed but were defeated in the House.

Photo of the Virginia State Capitol by Varmin on Wikimedia Commons.

The Florida Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die as scheduled on March 11, 2016.

The session was a display of bipartisan cooperation, netting an $82 billion budget, and stood in stark contrast to last year where a bitter fight over the budget led to multiple special sessions. The new budget was passed by a vote of 159 to 1.