April 6, 2015 •
Georgia General Assembly Adjourns
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 […]
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.
March 31, 2015 •
South Dakota Legislature Adjourns
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 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.
March 23, 2015 •
New Mexico Legislature Adjourns
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 […]
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.
March 16, 2015 •
West Virginia Legislature Adjourns; Begins Special Budgetary Session
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 […]
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.
March 16, 2015 •
Utah Legislature Adjourns
The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2015 session sine die on March 12, 2015. Governor Gary Herbert has until April 1 to veto or sign legislation. The Governor does not possess a pocket veto. The normal effective date for bills passed […]
The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2015 session sine die on March 12, 2015. Governor Gary Herbert has until April 1 to veto or sign legislation. The Governor does not possess a pocket veto. The normal effective date for bills passed this year is May 12.
Photo of the Utah State Capitol by Robert Cutts on Wikimedia Commons.
March 9, 2015 •
Wyoming Legislature Adjourns with New PAC Limits
The Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 6, 2015, after passing two campaign finance bills. House Bill 38 was originally filed to remove all contribution limits for political action committees (PACs), but amendments to the bill keep a $5,000 […]
The Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 6, 2015, after passing two campaign finance bills.
House Bill 38 was originally filed to remove all contribution limits for political action committees (PACs), but amendments to the bill keep a $5,000 limit from a PAC to any candidate who is not a statewide candidate.
House Bill 39 repeals the state’s aggregate contribution limits, which conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission.
Photo of the Wyoming State Capitol by Matthew Trump on Wikimedia Commons.
March 2, 2015 •
Virginia General Assembly Sends Ethics Bill to Governor
The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on Friday, February 27, 2015. Before adjourning, the legislature sent an ethics bill to the governor. House Bill 2070 changes the $250 annual, aggregate gift limit to a $100 per-gift limit. However, the […]
The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on Friday, February 27, 2015. Before adjourning, the legislature sent an ethics bill to the governor.
House Bill 2070 changes the $250 annual, aggregate gift limit to a $100 per-gift limit. However, the bill also contains a lengthy list of exceptions to the gift limit. Additionally, the bill creates an ethics council, but provides it with little power.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe spoke positively about the bill, but promised to look at it carefully due to the last-minute nature of its passage.
Photo of the Virginia State Capitol by Anderskev in Wikimedia Commons.
February 24, 2015 •
Wisconsin Extraordinary Session Draws Opposition
While lawmakers meet in an extraordinary session to quickly pass a right-to-work bill, union leaders are sponsoring an opposition rally at the state Capitol. Senate Bill 44 will be debated in the Committee on Labor, with a Senate floor vote […]
While lawmakers meet in an extraordinary session to quickly pass a right-to-work bill, union leaders are sponsoring an opposition rally at the state Capitol. Senate Bill 44 will be debated in the Committee on Labor, with a Senate floor vote expected on Wednesday, February 24.
The Assembly is expected to take action on Assembly Bill 61 after the Senate passes its version of the bill. The AFL-CIO held a press conference urging members to tell their senators to vote against the bill.
Gov. Scott Walker has indicated he will sign the bill if passed.
Photo of the interior of the Wisconsin State Capitol by Dori on Wikimedia Commons.
January 26, 2015 •
North Dakota Bills Would Create Annual Legislative Session
Bills have been filed in both chambers of the North Dakota Legislature advocating for annual legislative sessions. Senate Bill 2247 would permit a 50-day session in odd-numbered years and mandate a 30-day session in even-numbered years. House Bill 1342 would […]
Bills have been filed in both chambers of the North Dakota Legislature advocating for annual legislative sessions.
Senate Bill 2247 would permit a 50-day session in odd-numbered years and mandate a 30-day session in even-numbered years. House Bill 1342 would permit a 60-day session in odd-numbered years, followed by a recess and a 20-day remainder session in the following year.
Currently, sessions begin in January of every odd-numbered year and are limited to 80 days.
January 8, 2015 •
MN Lawmakers Considering Shorter Session
A renovation of the Capitol Building planned for next year may shorten the Minnesota Legislature’s session. Currently, the session is slated to span 2015 and 2016. However, with the planned renovation, many lawmakers are considering completing the entire session this […]
A renovation of the Capitol Building planned for next year may shorten the Minnesota Legislature’s session. Currently, the session is slated to span 2015 and 2016.
However, with the planned renovation, many lawmakers are considering completing the entire session this year.
Thus far, no official proposals have been made; only discussions among the House and Senate leadership have taken place.
Photo of the Minnesota Capitol dome by Mulad on Wikimedia Commons.
January 5, 2015 •
Montana Legislature Convenes Today
Today the Montana Legislature will convene its 64th regular session. Based on pre-filed bills, issues under consideration include revising campaign laws related to robo-calls, absentee ballots, and disclosure and reporting periods for certain campaign activities. The Legislature, which regularly meets […]
Today the Montana Legislature will convene its 64th regular session. Based on pre-filed bills, issues under consideration include revising campaign laws related to robo-calls, absentee ballots, and disclosure and reporting periods for certain campaign activities.
The Legislature, which regularly meets every two years, is expected to adjourn on April 27.
Photo of the interior dome of the Montana State Capitol by Parkerdr on Wikimedia Commons.
December 29, 2014 •
Yukon Legislative Assembly Adjourned
The fall session of the 33rd Yukon Legislative Assembly, which convened on October 23, adjourned on December 18, 2014. Bill 104, the Paid Lobbying Act, did not progress past the first reading.
The fall session of the 33rd Yukon Legislative Assembly, which convened on October 23, adjourned on December 18, 2014.
Bill 104, the Paid Lobbying Act, did not progress past the first reading.
December 23, 2014 •
Ohio House Adjourns Sine Die
Today, the Ohio House of Representatives adjourned sine die, having concluded it regular floor session on December 17. The Senate had previously adjourned sine die on December 18. Among the bills passed by both chambers of the Legislature is a […]
Today, the Ohio House of Representatives adjourned sine die, having concluded it regular floor session on December 17. The Senate had previously adjourned sine die on December 18. Among the bills passed by both chambers of the Legislature is a redistricting plan to be voted on by Ohioans in November of 2015.
Photo of the Ohio Statehouse by Urban on Wikimedia Commons.
December 5, 2014 •
Maine Legislature Convened 2015 Session on 12/3
The first regular session of the 127th Maine Legislature convened on December 3, 2014. Legislators were sworn in by Gov. Paul LePage, including Republican Cathy Manchester. Manchester was given a provisional seat in the Senate pending the resolution of the […]
The first regular session of the 127th Maine Legislature convened on December 3, 2014. Legislators were sworn in by Gov. Paul LePage, including Republican Cathy Manchester.
Manchester was given a provisional seat in the Senate pending the resolution of the disputed election results from state Senate District 25. A special committee will review the results next week and determine the true victor.
In closing the swearing in ceremony, LePage said, “Sharpen your pencils and let’s get to work.”
Photo of the Maine State House by Albany NY on Wikimedia Commons.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.