April 27, 2022 •
West Virginia Special Session Adjourns
West Virginia’s special session adjourned on April 26. Lawmakers planned on dealing with 17 bills, but many did not pass. The most debated bill was Senate Bill 2001, which eventually passed after being vetoed by the governor due to technical […]
West Virginia’s special session adjourned on April 26.
Lawmakers planned on dealing with 17 bills, but many did not pass.
The most debated bill was Senate Bill 2001, which eventually passed after being vetoed by the governor due to technical errors.
The bill appropriates $250 million to be used to upgrade infrastructure in municipalities of the state.
April 15, 2022 •
Kentucky Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 2022 regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 14. A campaign finance and an ethics bill passed with a veto override. House Bill 740 reduces transparency in campaign finance by removing the requirement that […]
The 2022 regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 14.
A campaign finance and an ethics bill passed with a veto override.
House Bill 740 reduces transparency in campaign finance by removing the requirement that candidates report the name and employer of the spouse of the donor for donations over $100 and permitting candidates for legislative office to file annual instead of quarterly campaign finance reports in years they are not running for reelection.
The bill also removes references to paper filing and defines form as an online web page or an electronic document.
House Bill 334 reorganizes the Executive Branch Ethics Commission and requires it to make a finding for each complaint filed, as to whether they are grounded in fact, warranted by law, and filed in good faith.
Both bills are effective July 13.
April 12, 2022 •
Maryland Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 444th Maryland General Assembly adjourned from its 90-day session on April 11 with over 600 bills being passed as of Monday morning. Passed legislation includes a compromise increasing local budgets for highway repairs, additional measures to enhance Maryland’s cybersecurity […]
The 444th Maryland General Assembly adjourned from its 90-day session on April 11 with over 600 bills being passed as of Monday morning.
Passed legislation includes a compromise increasing local budgets for highway repairs, additional measures to enhance Maryland’s cybersecurity response, and bills aimed toward accelerating the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.
April 12, 2022 •
Mississippi Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Mississippi Legislature adjourned sine die on April 5 after over 90 days in session. This extended session was highlighted by lowered state taxes, redistricting, and the creation of a medical marijuana program. This does affect lobbyist reporting. The lobbyist […]
The Mississippi Legislature adjourned sine die on April 5 after over 90 days in session.
This extended session was highlighted by lowered state taxes, redistricting, and the creation of a medical marijuana program.
This does affect lobbyist reporting.
The lobbyist end-of-session activity report is due April 15.
April 5, 2022 •
Kansas Legislature Adjourns Regular Session Sine Die, Announces Veto Session
The Kansas Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die in the early hours of Saturday, April 2. During the session, several bills related to campaign finance were introduced but not passed. House Bill 2707, related to political advertising, sought to […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die in the early hours of Saturday, April 2.
During the session, several bills related to campaign finance were introduced but not passed.
House Bill 2707, related to political advertising, sought to define corrupt advertising as communications that do not disclose the name of the sponsoring organization and of the chairperson, treasurer, or other individual responsible for the ad.
The last action on the bill was a referral to the Election Commissar on February 15.
Lawmakers successfully passed an unconstitutionally gerrymandered congressional map and a $22 billion state budget plan that contained a raise for state workers.
Issues that weren’t resolved are expected to be taken up during a veto session, which is slated to begin Monday, April 25.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
April 1, 2022 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Idaho State Legislature adjourned sine die March 31. The 81-day session focused mostly on infrastructure and education. Starting the session with a nearly $2 billion surplus and billions in federal covid relief funds, lawmakers approved Gov. Brad Little’s “Leading […]
The Idaho State Legislature adjourned sine die March 31.
The 81-day session focused mostly on infrastructure and education.
Starting the session with a nearly $2 billion surplus and billions in federal covid relief funds, lawmakers approved Gov. Brad Little’s “Leading Idaho” plan, providing $300 million to bolster k-12 public school budgets, a 7% increase in educator salaries, and funding an optional full-day kindergarten program.
Lawmakers also passed a bill modeled after the Texas abortion ban, the most restrictive abortion law in the country.
Planned Parenthood since filed a lawsuit with the Idaho Supreme Court requesting an injunction.
This does affect lobbyist reporting.
A lobbyist activity report will be due April 15, covering March 1 through March 31.
March 30, 2022 •
Special Session Called to Fix Errors in Economic Development Bill
Gov. Jim Justice vetoed Senate Bill 729, citing technical errors in the bill. Gov. Justice plans to call a special session of the West Virginia Legislature to address the errors in the economic development bill, which creates a self-sustaining loan […]
Gov. Jim Justice vetoed Senate Bill 729, citing technical errors in the bill.
Gov. Justice plans to call a special session of the West Virginia Legislature to address the errors in the economic development bill, which creates a self-sustaining loan fund managed by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority.
The special session will coincide with the Legislature’s interim meetings scheduled between April 24 and April 26.
March 30, 2022 •
Special Legislative Session Called to Address Congressional Redistricting
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed Senate Bill 102 establishing the new congressional districts, citing the new maps were in violation of the 14th Amendment. Further, Gov. DeSantis has called a special session of the Florida Legislature to address the […]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed Senate Bill 102 establishing the new congressional districts, citing the new maps were in violation of the 14th Amendment.
Further, Gov. DeSantis has called a special session of the Florida Legislature to address the rejected maps.
The special session will convene on April 19 and can adjourn no later than April 22.
March 29, 2022 •
South Dakota Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 97th session of the South Dakota Legislature adjourned sine die on March 28 after lawmakers failed to override Gov. Kristi Noem’s three vetoes, killing legislation that would have given lawmakers more control over spending federal aid. During the session, […]
The 97th session of the South Dakota Legislature adjourned sine die on March 28 after lawmakers failed to override Gov. Kristi Noem’s three vetoes, killing legislation that would have given lawmakers more control over spending federal aid.
During the session, the Legislature passed House Bill 1076, permitting the voters of any second or third-class municipality, which includes Pierre and Sioux Falls, to choose to elect aldermen to the common council at large by presenting a petition for an election signed by 15% of the registered voters of the municipality.
An election submitting the question to the voters must be held within fifty days of the filing of the petition.
House Bill 1076 is effective June 26, 2022.
The full House, which Republicans control 62-8, will convene on April 12 to decide if it will accept the House Select Committee on Investigation’s report recommending against impeaching Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
March 29, 2022 •
Louisiana Special Session to Override Governor’s Congressional Redistricting Vetoes Set for March 30
Louisiana lawmakers will hold a special veto override session beginning Wednesday, March 30 as Republicans attempt to overturn Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ rejection of a new congressional map. Democrats proposed about a dozen maps that showed enough Black voters […]
Louisiana lawmakers will hold a special veto override session beginning Wednesday, March 30 as Republicans attempt to overturn Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ rejection of a new congressional map.
Democrats proposed about a dozen maps that showed enough Black voters live close enough together to allow for a second minority-majority district under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. Republicans counter that the Democratic proposals created districts that splintered other populations with shared interests and created districts with too few Black voters to guarantee a minority candidate would win.
The veto session, which is dictated by state law, will commence during the regular legislative session. There is no legal framework to guide lawmakers, so leadership plans to recess the current session, convene a short veto override session, and then resume the current regular session. This does not affect lobbyist reporting dates.
March 24, 2022 •
Virginia Special Legislative Session Announced for April 5
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a special session of the Virginia General Assembly to convene on April 5. The General Assembly will finalize the biennial budget which was left unfinished when they adjourned on March 12. The General Assembly will also […]
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a special session of the Virginia General Assembly to convene on April 5.
The General Assembly will finalize the biennial budget which was left unfinished when they adjourned on March 12.
The General Assembly will also consider Youngkin’s proposed three-month gas tax holiday.
March 23, 2022 •
Utah Governor Calls Special Legislative Session for March 25
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox will call lawmakers for a special legislative session to consider financial and legal issues regarding House Bill 11, relating to student eligibility in interscholastic activities. The call is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, March 25. […]
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox will call lawmakers for a special legislative session to consider financial and legal issues regarding House Bill 11, relating to student eligibility in interscholastic activities.
The call is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, March 25. This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
March 21, 2022 •
New Mexico Governor Calls Special Session April 5 on Economic Relief
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will call state lawmakers back to Santa Fe for a special session on April 5 to address economic relief due to rising costs. State lawmakers had considered calling for an extraordinary session after the […]
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will call state lawmakers back to Santa Fe for a special session on April 5 to address economic relief due to rising costs.
State lawmakers had considered calling for an extraordinary session after the governor vetoed a spending bill that had been approved during the regular session.
A revised supplemental spending bill will be reviewed during the special session.
It is unclear when the special session is slated to end.
A 48-hour legislative report will be due for a lobbyist or employer who makes or incurs an expenditure of $500 or more during the special session.
March 17, 2022 •
Michigan Introduces Bills to Change Lobbying Disclosure and Gift Laws
Michigan lawmakers introduced several new bills proposing fundamental changes for lobbying disclosure and gift laws. Senate Bill 963 requires lobbyists to file monthly reports instead of the current schedule of twice a year. The bill also includes a two-year revolving door […]
Michigan lawmakers introduced several new bills proposing fundamental changes for lobbying disclosure and gift laws.
Senate Bill 963 requires lobbyists to file monthly reports instead of the current schedule of twice a year. The bill also includes a two-year revolving door ban for members of the Legislature.
House Bill 5926 amends the definition of lobbying to include partisan legislative employees in the list of covered officials.
House Bill 5927 implements a gift ban, prohibiting a public official or his or her immediate family member from directly or indirectly soliciting, agreeing to accept, or accepting anything of value from a lobbyist or lobbyist agent.
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