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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Florida Legislature adjourned its 2014 session on May 2, 2014 after passing a record $77.1 billion budget.

The final day of session also saw two immigration bills passed, including one allowing undocumented immigrants attending Florida high schools to qualify for in-state tuition rates at Florida universities.

The 2014 session of Iowa’s 85th General Assembly adjourned Friday, May 2, 2014.

While in session, legislators considered an array of legislation, including anti-bullying and the use of medical marijuana for epilepsy patients.

Legislators also agreed on the 2015 fiscal budget for the state.

The 2nd regular session of the 126th Maine State Legislature adjourned sine die May 2, 2014. The statutory adjournment date was April 16, 2014; however the Legislature spent an additional two weeks in session.

Legislators successfully overturned two vetoes by Gov. Paul LePage, one for a bill providing tax credits to primary care physicians who practice in rural areas, and another to preserve a funding bill for the fiscal year beginning in July 2014.

The 28th Alaska State Legislature adjourned an extended session sine die on Friday, April 25.

Originally set to adjourn April 20, both the House and Senate remained in session until compromising on a major education reform bill and a controversial bridge bill.

The Arizona Legislature adjourned its session sine die at 1:46 a.m. Thursday, April 24.

Gov. Jan Brewer has 10 days to sign or veto legislation transmitted to her or the legislation becomes law automatically.

Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special session of the Legislature to convene on April 24, 2014.

Brown wants lawmakers to replace the rainy day fund measure currently on the November ballot with a new constitutional amendment establishing a dedicated reserve capable of paying down state debts and unfunded liabilities.
Photo of the California Senate Chamber by David Monniaux on Wikimedia Commons.

The General Assembly adjourned late Monday, April 7, 2014, after approving bills to decriminalize marijuana and raise the state minimum wage.

Legislators also approved two lobbying bills addressing ethics training requirements and lobbyist certifications of authorization to lobby.

The new lobbying requirements in Senate Bill 92 and Senate Bill 90 will be effective October 1, 2014, unless Gov. Martin O’Malley vetoes the measures by May 27, 2014.

The Alabama State Legislature adjourned sine die on Thursday, April 3, 2014. The legislature adjourned early in an attempt to avoid a threatened veto of an educational budget bill.

Gov. Robert Bentley has not decided whether he will sign the bill or call a special session to push through the raise for K-12 employees he was seeking.

The state Senate adjourned the last general-business floorperiod of the 2014 regular session on April 1, 2014, after passing more than 50 bills. The Assembly previously adjourned early on March 21, 2014.

Gov. Scott Walker has six business days to sign or veto legislation he receives. While the Legislature has no plans to return this year, Walker may call a special session to pass a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Photo of the Wisconsin State Capitol courtesy of Dori on Wikimedia Commons.