Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced a plan to offer lobbyists the option to voluntarily sign up for and receive sexual harassment training prior to each legislative session.

Lobbyist registration forms will be amended to include a checkbox confirming a lobbyist has received the provided sexual harassment training.

Dates and logistics for the training have yet to be announced.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.

The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.

The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a special election for Assembly District 15 will take place on January 9, 2018.

Rep. David Baram resigned the seat following his election as a probate court judge earlier this month.

Assembly District 15 consists of Bloomfield and parts of Windsor.

Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a special election for Assembly District 15 will take place on January 9, 2018.

Rep. David Baram resigned the seat following his election as a probate court judge earlier this month.

Assembly District 15 consists of Bloomfield and parts of Windsor.

Alaska’s fourth special session adjourned on November 21 after reaching the 30-day limit set by the state’s constitution.

Since November 10, lawmakers were in a technical session after the Senate attempted to adjourn the special session after passing a criminal justice reform bill. In Alaska one body cannot adjourn without the other.

No committee hearings are held in a technical session, and no formal legislative business is done.

House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election will be held for Pennsylvania’s 35th House District on January 23, 2018.

Rep. Marc Gergely resigned the seat on November 6 after pleading guilty to corruption charges for his role in an illegal gambling machine ring.

Democrats and Republicans will each select a nominee to appear on the ballot.

House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election will be held for Pennsylvania’s 35th House District on January 23, 2018.

Rep. Marc Gergely resigned the seat on November 6 after pleading guilty to corruption charges for his role in an illegal gambling machine ring.

Democrats and Republicans will each select a nominee to appear on the ballot.

The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned an eight-week special session on Friday, November 17, after the Senate gave final approval on legislation to balance the state’s budget.

Just hours after the session ended, Gov. Mary Fallin line-item vetoed most of the budget bill’s provisions citing a failure to address the requests she made in calling the session and the lack of a long-term solution to re-occurring budget deficits. Provisions temporarily preserving funding for crucial health and human services were retained as the state continues to seek a solution.

The vetoed bill would have used cash reserves and made deep cuts to funding across all state agencies to close the $215 million hole in the state budget.

Gov. Fallin said she intends to call a second special session of the Legislature to come up with long-term funding solutions.

The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned an eight-week special session on Friday, November 17, after the Senate gave final approval on legislation to balance the state’s budget.

Just hours after the session ended, Gov. Mary Fallin line-item vetoed most of the budget bill’s provisions citing a failure to address the requests she made in calling the session and the lack of a long-term solution to re-occurring budget deficits. Provisions temporarily preserving funding for crucial health and human services were retained as the state continues to seek a solution.

The vetoed bill would have used cash reserves and made deep cuts to funding across all state agencies to close the $215 million hole in the state budget.

Gov. Fallin said she intends to call a second special session of the Legislature to come up with long-term funding solutions.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Williams vacated the seat to become a representative to the Southern States Energy Board.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Williams vacated the seat to become a representative to the Southern States Energy Board.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill passed by lawmakers during the fall veto session aimed at curbing sexual harassment within state government.

Senate Bill 402 expressly prohibits sexual harassment by lobbyists, provides for a $5,000 fine for violations, and requires lobbyists to take an annual sexual harassment training course. The training course must be completed within 30 days of registration or renewal, beginning January 1, 2018.

Additionally, each person and entity required to register must have a written sexual harassment policy by January 1, 2018.

Gov. Rauner criticized the bill as rushed and needing more work, but conceded it was a step in the right direction.

The bill takes effect immediately.

Utah lawmakers rejected a proposal Wednesday to require lobbyists to undergo annual anti-harassment training as a requirement to be a licensed lobbyist. Utah currently requires lawmakers and staff to undergo training about harassment, but no such requirement exists for lobbyists who visit the Capitol and meet with lawmakers and staff.

The proposal comes after sexual harassment allegations have increased across the country and can still be considered during the next legislative session. Some legislators worry about the burden it would put on lobbyists and those who regulate them.

The proposal allows the lieutenant governor’s office to issue fines and suspend lobbyist licenses for up to five years if a lobbyist is found to have harassed.