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.

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.

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.

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.

The Illinois House of Representatives adjourned its two-year legislative session sine die on Wednesday, December 3.

Some state business will be left until Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner and a new General Assembly take office in January. It is possible, however, for outgoing Gov. Pat Quinn to call a special session to force a vote on legislation increasing the minimum wage before he leaves office.

The Senate did not formally adjourn and will sit in session on January 13.

Photo of the Illinois Capitol Building by Daniel Schwen on Wikimedia Commons.

On November 27, the third session of the 40th parliament of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly adjourned for the year. The Legislature did not pass Bill M202, the Election Finance Amendment Act. It would have restricted political contributions to donations made by individual residents of the province and eliminated corporate, union, and out-of-province donations.

Photo of the main block of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings by Ryan Bushby on Wikimedia Commons.

In an about-face, Gov. Jay Nixon announced a special session is not necessary.

After alerting the Legislature he was planning on calling a special session, legislative leaders suggested the governor already possessed the power required to ensure Missouri Highway Patrol officers and Missouri National Guard troops were paid for the time spent dealing with unrest in Ferguson.

The governor agreed with the leadership’s suggested interpretation of the law and declared the special session no longer necessary.

Photo of the statue of Thomas Jefferson at the south entrance of the Missouri State Capitol by Nickbigd on Wikimedia Commons.

Gov. Jay Nixon has informed legislative leaders he would be calling a special session to address funding issues related to the deployment of Missouri National Guard troops and Missouri State Highway Patrol officers in the city of Ferguson.

Gov. Nixon has yet to issue a formal call with the convening date for the session, but has stated he will do so shortly.

Photo of Gov. Jay Nixon by Bernard Pollack on Wikimedia Commons.

Legislators will meet beginning Monday, November 24, 2014 in a special session.

Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla called a special session to debate an increase in an oil tax in an attempt to bolster the financial standing of the Highway and Transportation Authority.

Photo of the Capitol of Puerto Rico courtesy of Mtmelendez on Wikimedia Commons.

The Hawaii State Senate convened a special session on Wednesday, October 22, to consider judicial appointments to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit and to the District Court of the Third Circuit.

Private attorney Jeffrey Crabtree and Family Court Judge Christine Kuriyama were both confirmed for 10-year appointments on the Circuit Court. Margaret Masunaga, a former deputy attorney general and private attorney, was confirmed for a six-year County District Court term.

Following the confirmations the Senate adjourned sine die on Thursday, October 23.

Today the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Canada, will convene for the first session of the 41^st Parliament.

The assembly had adjourned its session with unanimous consent on July 24, 2014, in order to continue to work over the summer to address budget issues.

Photo of the Ontario Legislative Assembly Building by Andrijko Z. on Wikimedia Commons.

The fall sitting of the first session of the 33rd Yukon Legislative Assembly will convene on Thursday, October 23, 2014.

The assembly will adjourn on a date to be determined.

The Delaware Senate adjourned its brief special session on October 8, 2014.

Senators unanimously confirmed James Vaughn Jr. to the state Supreme Court.

Vaughn has served the past 15 years as a Superior Court judge.

On October 8, 2014, the Delaware Senate convened a special legislative session.

Gov. Jack Markell called the special session to confirm a new state Supreme Court justice.