The Legislature formally adjourned sine die on April 22, 2015, but with the possibility of a special session later this year.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has indicated he will likely call legislators back to address the state’s Medicaid expansion.

A legislative task force is expected to issue a recommendation for an alternative program to the state’s private option Medicaid expansion.

Photo of the Arkansas State Capitol by jglazer75 on Wikimedia Commons.

The Washington State Legislature appears to be headed to a special session if state lawmakers cannot come to an agreement on the state budget before April 26, 2015, the session deadline set by the state constitution.

The source of the disagreement stems from public school funding in light of recent state Supreme Court case McCleary v. State of Washington, where the Court mandated a new funding scheme for public schools by the end of the 2015 legislative session.

Gov. Jay Inslee acknowledged the need for a special session but indicated details have not been discussed.

Photo of the Washington State Capitol by Nikopoley on Wikimedia Commons.

Lawmakers met one final time Friday, April 17 to finalize the ethics reform bill passed at the close of the legislative session. Gov. Terry McAuliffe proposed an amendment to change the gift limit from $100 per gift, but allowing an unlimited number of such gifts, to a $100 aggregate limit from any one source.

After correcting a drafting error in the amendment, both chambers unanimously passed the measure. The new limits go into effect on January 1, 2016.

After completing work on the bill, the General Assembly adjourned sine die.

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

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker hinted at a possible special session if the Legislature does not act on Medicaid expansion before the session’s scheduled end on Sunday.

Walker considers expansion necessary while many legislators have concerns about adding thousands of people to what some consider an already broken system.

If legislators run out of time without addressing the issue, Walker said he plans to simply put more time on the clock.

Photo of the Alaska State Capitol by Jay Galvin on Wikimedia Commons.

The General Assembly reconvened Wednesday to review several proposed legislative amendments offered by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, including changes to the ethics reform bill. The bill, as sent to the governor, changes the lobbyist gift limit from $250 per year from any one source to $100 per gift.

The governor, fearing this would allow legislators to accept an unlimited number of gifts as long as they were less than $100 each, suggested a $100 per year limit from any one source. Lawmakers voiced their own concerns with the amendment, stating its wording could be construed to create a $100 lifetime limit.

Much to the dismay of some members, the General Assembly will meet again on Friday, April 17 to clarify the issue and hold a vote.

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

The General Assembly adjourned late Monday, April 13, 2015, after a lengthy debate regarding the state’s fiscal plan.

Last week Gov. Larry Hogan issued an executive order to extend the session if lawmakers failed to pass a budget, but the budget plan opposed by Hogan cleared the House and Senate on party-line votes, with Democrats in favor and Republicans against.

The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die early Saturday, April 11, 2015.

The 90-day session concluded after both houses reached a compromise on a major transportation funding bill.

The bill approved $94.1 million for road and bridge repairs, failing to erase a $262 million shortfall in annual road maintenance.

Photo of the Idaho State Capitol Rotunda by Kencf0618 on Wikimedia Commons.

Gov. Larry Hogan issued an executive order to extend the legislative session beyond the expected adjournment date of April 13, 2015. Executive Order 01.01.2015.15 will extend the General Assembly session for no longer than 10 days to provide additional time for legislators to pass a budget.

During the 10-day extension, the budget bill is the only piece of legislation able to be debated among the General Assembly.

The state constitution provides for the governor to take such action when the budget bill has not been passed by the 83rd day of the regular legislative session.

The Legislature adjourned sine die on April 2, 2015, after the House finalized work on two bills passed by the Senate.

Photo of the Mississippi State Capitol by Shawn Lea on Wikimedia Commons.

On April 3, the Arizona Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die.

Gov. Doug Ducey has until April 15 to sign or veto legislation.

The governor does not have a pocket veto.

Photo of the Arizona State Capitol by Jeff Dean on Wikimedia Commons.

The General Assembly adjourned sine die late Thursday, April 2, 2015.

Lawmakers worked till their midnight deadline, sending dozens of 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 Legislature adjourned sine die on March 30, 2015, following a veto session where legislators overrode one of three vetoes by Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

Two tax-related measures failed to receive the necessary two-thirds majority vote, but a measure to reduce the tax burden on rural electric companies will become law.

Next year’s session is scheduled to begin on January 12, 2016.

Photo of the South Dakota Capitol by Jake DeGroot on Wikimedia Commons.

The Legislature adjourned sine die on Saturday, March 21, 2015. Before adjourning, lawmakers passed House Bill 155 to require increased lobbyist registration fees and additional public access to lobbyist information.

Gov. Susana Martinez has until April 10 to act on legislation. Any bill failing to reach her desk is now dead.

Photo of the New Mexico State Capitol by Urban on Wikimedia Commons.

The West Virginia Legislature adjourned on Saturday, March 14, 2015, concluding its 60-day statutory session. The House and the Senate reconvened briefly to begin an extended budget session on March 15.

The only bill to be considered is House Bill 2016, the budget bill, and both chambers are scheduled to convene this evening at 5:00 p.m.