LobbyComply Blog

The Connecticut General Assembly convened a one-day special session on July 14 to authorize an extension of Gov. Lamont’s emergency powers.

Both the Senate and House adjourned sine die that afternoon.

A special election has been scheduled for August 17 by Connecticut Gov. Lamont for Senate District 36.

The seat became vacant when Alex Kasser resigned in June because of stress from a long-running divorce case.

On June 17, the Connecticut Legislature adjourned a special session after passing bills related to the state budget and recreational marijuana use.

The cannabis bill allows applicants from communities affected by high drug-related issues to acquire business licenses.

If signed by Gov. Lamont, Connecticut will become the 19th state to legalize marijuana.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned sine die on June 9.

During the session, lawmakers passed House Bill 6574 relating to revisions of the state ethics code.

The bill exempts gifts from an individual’s or spouse’s grandparents from the law prohibiting gifts from restricted donors; clarifies the gift disclosure requirement by a person doing business with a department or agency; and requires executive branch regulatory agencies to annually file a list of positions subject to revolving door provisions.

If signed by the governor, House Bill 6574 becomes effective October 1.

This affects lobbying reporting.

The monthly employer activity report required any month the General Assembly is in regular session is due July 10.

Gov. Ned Lamont scheduled a special election for Assembly District 145 on April 27.

The seat became vacant after Patricia Miller was elected to the Connecticut State Senate on March 2.

There are no primaries, and candidates will be nominated directly by political parties.

The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Miller’s term until 2022.

Governor Ned Lamont today announced a special election for Assembly District 112 on Tuesday, April 13.

The district consists of the entirety of the Town of Monroe and portions of Newtown.

The seat became vacant on February 17 following the resignation of J.P. Sredzinski.

The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Sredzinski’s two-year term through 2022.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont called a special election on March 2 to fill the seat in Senate District 27.

The seat became vacant on January 5 when Rep. Carlo Leone resigned to work with the State Department of Transportation.

There will be no primary for this election.

On October 1, the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned their second special session of the year.

During the special legislative session lawmakers passed House Bill 7005 concerning the processing of absentee ballots.

The Legislature also passed bills reforming the state’s hemp program, regulating the public utilities, and enhancements to state environmental law.

The bills were immediately released to the governor for his signature.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced a special session to convene on Tuesday, September 29.

The General Assembly will consider legislation for several policy issues including: performance-based regulation of the state’s electricity, gas, and water companies; securing absentee ballots for the general election; school construction projects; and opportunities for the state’s hemp program.

The Legislature will also consider four nominations announced by the governor in July to fill a vacancy in the state Supreme Court and three seats in the Appellate Court.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced a special legislative session to start on Tuesday, July 21.

The Legislature will reconvene to discuss bills relating to police reform, absentee ballots, telehealth insurance, and insulin drug costs.

Legislative leaders and Gov. Lamont have also discussed returning for a second special session in September to consider housing reform legislation.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the State Ethics Commission announced a filing deadline extension for lobbyist monthly and quarterly reports until July 10.

This extension affects monthly reports due on April 10, May 10, and June 10, in which the lobbyist has expended or agreed to expend $100 or more in furtherance of lobbying activities to influence legislative action in the preceding month.

The filing deadline for the first quarterly report was also extended until July 10.

The commission is expected to send out further details by email to notify all filers.

On April 21, the General Assembly announced the regular session will not reconvene before the May 6 constitutional adjournment date.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the legislative session has been suspended since March 11.

Legislative leaders expect a special session to be called in the coming months to address pending bills to ensure the continuity of government functions.

This does not immediately affect lobbyist reporting.

On April 17, Gov. Ned Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7BB to reschedule the presidential primary to Tuesday, August 11, due to the ongoing public health crisis caused by COVID-19.

This is the second rescheduling of the presidential primary and the new date will coincide with the state and federal primary on August 11.

The governor had previously rescheduled the presidential primary from April 28 to June 2.

On April 8, legislative leaders announced the General Assembly is extending the postponement of the session until April 23.

The State Capitol, Legislative Office Building, and State House will remain closed during the postponement.

This does not immediately affect lobbyist reporting.