July 1, 2014 •
Delaware General Assembly Adjourns
The 147th Delaware General Assembly adjourned sine die Tuesday, July 1, 2014. In keeping with longstanding Delaware tradition, legislators worked into the early hours of the morning attempting to pass dozens of bills before the end of the session. Noteworthy […]
The 147th Delaware General Assembly adjourned sine die Tuesday, July 1, 2014. In keeping with longstanding Delaware tradition, legislators worked into the early hours of the morning attempting to pass dozens of bills before the end of the session. Noteworthy among those bills are measures to provide $10 million in relief to the state’s three ailing casinos and to toughen penalties on DUI offenders.
June 25, 2014 •
Arkansas Governor to Call Special Session
Gov. Mike Beebe has indicated a special session will be called to address overcrowding in jails and teacher insurance. The House and Senate will consider a bill to add 600 beds to the Department of Corrections facilities and the Pulaski […]
Gov. Mike Beebe has indicated a special session will be called to address overcrowding in jails and teacher insurance. The House and Senate will consider a bill to add 600 beds to the Department of Corrections facilities and the Pulaski County Jail.
Lawmakers will also consider a plan to reduce insurance costs for public school employees by eliminating part-time employees and spouses who have other options for health coverage.
The session will begin on June 30 and last until July 2, 2014.
June 24, 2014 •
RI General Assembly Recessed on Saturday
The General Assembly concluded its session and recessed on June 21, 2014. Any bills submitted to Gov. Lincoln Chafee must be signed or vetoed by July 1. There is no pocket veto. Photo of the Rhode Island State Capitol courtesy […]
The General Assembly concluded its session and recessed on June 21, 2014.
Any bills submitted to Gov. Lincoln Chafee must be signed or vetoed by July 1.
There is no pocket veto.
Photo of the Rhode Island State Capitol courtesy of Garrett A. Wollman on Wikimedia Commons.
June 6, 2014 •
South Carolina Senate Has Work For Veto Session
Lawmakers adjourned the regular session on Thursday, June 5, 2014, but will return for a veto session on June 17. House Bill 3945, the ethics reform bill, passed the House, but was filibustered by Sen. Lee Bright. The Senate will […]
Lawmakers adjourned the regular session on Thursday, June 5, 2014, but will return for a veto session on June 17. House Bill 3945, the ethics reform bill, passed the House, but was filibustered by Sen. Lee Bright. The Senate will have a final opportunity to vote on the measure during the veto session.
Gov. Nikki Haley confirmed on Twitter she would sign the bill if passed.
The Senate is also expected to select a new President Pro Tem, who will automatically be promoted to lieutenant governor and replace retiring Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell. Former President Pro Tem John Courson resigned to avoid becoming lieutenant governor.
June 3, 2014 •
Louisiana Legislature Adjourns Regular Session
The 2014 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature adjourned sine die on June 2, 2014. Upon transmittal of a bill, Gov. Bobby Jindal will have 20 days to sign or veto the legislation. Photo of the Louisiana State Capitol by […]
The 2014 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature adjourned sine die on June 2, 2014. Upon transmittal of a bill, Gov. Bobby Jindal will have 20 days to sign or veto the legislation.
Photo of the Louisiana State Capitol by Bluepoint951 on Wikimedia Commons.
May 30, 2014 •
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Adjourns
On May 29, the second session of the 40th parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia adjourned for the summer. It is scheduled to reconvene on October 6, 2014, and to adjourn on November 27, 2014. Two campaign finance […]
On May 29, the second session of the 40th parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia adjourned for the summer. It is scheduled to reconvene on October 6, 2014, and to adjourn on November 27, 2014.
Two campaign finance bills affecting local elections in the province were passed during the session. Bill No. 20, the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, and Bill No. 21, Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, 2014 require, among other changes, third party advertising sponsors to register with Elections B.C., report expenditures and contributions of $50 or more, and clearly identify themselves in any election advertisement. Both bills received royal assent on May 29.
May 30, 2014 •
Arizona Legislature Adjourns Special Session
On May 29, the Arizona Legislature adjourned its special session sine die. Two bills were passed creating and funding the Department of Child Safety. Gov. Jan Brewer immediately signed both bills. Photo of the Arizona State Capitol by Jeff Dean […]
On May 29, the Arizona Legislature adjourned its special session sine die. Two bills were passed creating and funding the Department of Child Safety. Gov. Jan Brewer immediately signed both bills.
Photo of the Arizona State Capitol by Jeff Dean on Wikimedia Commons.
May 22, 2014 •
AZ Governor Calls Special Session
Today Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer called for a special session of the Legislature to convene on May 27. According to Brewer’s press release, the purpose of the special session will be to “overhaul the state’s child safety system” by creating […]
Today Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer called for a special session of the Legislature to convene on May 27.
According to Brewer’s press release, the purpose of the special session will be to “overhaul the state’s child safety system” by creating and funding an entity called the Department of Child Safety, “a new, stand-alone agency whose sole focus is the safety of Arizona’s children.”
If passed, the state child welfare programs would be removed from the authority of the Department of Economic Security.
The regular session adjourned on April 24.
Photo of the Arizona State Capitol courtesy of Jeff Dean on Wikimedia Commons.
May 21, 2014 •
Yukon Assembly Adjourns
The first session of the 33rd Yukon Legislative Assembly, which convened on March 25, adjourned on May 15, 2014. The Legislative Assembly is scheduled to reconvene later this year. The session dates will be announced two weeks before the session […]
The first session of the 33rd Yukon Legislative Assembly, which convened on March 25, adjourned on May 15, 2014.
The Legislative Assembly is scheduled to reconvene later this year.
The session dates will be announced two weeks before the session begins.
May 19, 2014 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, May 16, 2014. The Legislature passed a $1 billion public works construction package in addition to voting to legalize medical marijuana in a session described by some as one of the most […]
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, May 16, 2014.
The Legislature passed a $1 billion public works construction package in addition to voting to legalize medical marijuana in a session described by some as one of the most productive sessions in years.
May 13, 2014 •
Delaware Legislature Considering Special Session to Fill Lt. Gov. Vacancy
Delaware Lt. Gov. Matt Denn recently announced his candidacy for attorney general in 2014. If he is elected in November, the office of the lieutenant governor would be vacant until 2016. Delaware law has no provision to address such a […]
Delaware Lt. Gov. Matt Denn recently announced his candidacy for attorney general in 2014. If he is elected in November, the office of the lieutenant governor would be vacant until 2016.
Delaware law has no provision to address such a vacancy, so legislators in both houses have introduced bills for a constitutional amendment mandating a special election in these and similar circumstances.
Legislators can pass a constitutional amendment calling for a special election, but they must pass the bill twice. In order to accomplish this before the 2016 general election, the Legislature must pass the first part of the amendment by June 30, 2014.
May 9, 2014 •
Maine Legislature Considering Special Session
Despite the adjournment of the Maine Legislature on May 2, 2014, legislators are still debating issues. Republican leaders are urging Democrats to reconvene for a special session to address a funding crisis for the state’s nursing homes.
Despite the adjournment of the Maine Legislature on May 2, 2014, legislators are still debating issues.
Republican leaders are urging Democrats to reconvene for a special session to address a funding crisis for the state’s nursing homes.
May 7, 2014 •
Mississippi Special Session Begins May 8
Gov. Phil Bryant has called a special session of the Mississippi Legislature to begin May 8, 2014, to make appropriations for the state’s share of disaster relief for tornado damage. The National Weather Service reported 23 tornadoes touched down in […]
Gov. Phil Bryant has called a special session of the Mississippi Legislature to begin May 8, 2014, to make appropriations for the state’s share of disaster relief for tornado damage.
The National Weather Service reported 23 tornadoes touched down in Mississippi on April 28, killing 14 people and damaging hundreds of buildings.
State and local governments are required to match one-eighth of federal aid dollars.
May 5, 2014 •
Kansas Adjourns Short Legislative Session
The Kansas Legislature adjourned in the early morning hours of May 3, making this the shortest legislative session in 40 years. State lawmakers passed a budget and approved funding for courts and schools, but failed to address the state’s falling […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned in the early morning hours of May 3, making this the shortest legislative session in 40 years.
State lawmakers passed a budget and approved funding for courts and schools, but failed to address the state’s falling revenue due to deep tax cuts passed in 2012 and 2013.
Sharp declines in revenue are causing the state to quickly burn through its reserve funds, leaving some to wonder if the next Legislature will be able to fund critical state services.
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