September 7, 2017 •
Indiana Republicans Choose Replacement for Retiring State Senator
Indiana State Sen. Luke Kenley is retiring effective September 30. He represented Senate District 20 for 25 years, and was re-elected in November 2016. On September 6, a Republican caucus selected Victoria Spartz, current chief financial officer of the Attorney […]
Indiana State Sen. Luke Kenley is retiring effective September 30. He represented Senate District 20 for 25 years, and was re-elected in November 2016.
On September 6, a Republican caucus selected Victoria Spartz, current chief financial officer of the Attorney General’s Office, to replace Kenley and serve the remaining three years of his term.
Senate District 20 covers portions of Grant, Hamilton, Madison, and Tipton counties.
September 6, 2017 •
California Governor Signs Two Bills Amending the Political Reform Act of 1974
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 187 and Assembly Bill 551 into law on September 1, amending both lobbying and campaign finance laws. Assembly Bill 187 requires a committee to file a report within 10 business days of making a […]
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 187 and Assembly Bill 551 into law on September 1, amending both lobbying and campaign finance laws.
Assembly Bill 187 requires a committee to file a report within 10 business days of making a contribution or independent expenditure aggregating $5,000 or more to support or oppose the qualification of a single local initiative or referendum ballot measure.
Assembly Bill 551 extends revolving door restrictions to independent contractors of a local government agency or a public agency who are appearing or communicating on behalf of that agency.
Both bills are effective January 1, 2018.
September 6, 2017 •
Alaska Governor Plans Fourth Special Session
Alaska Governor Bill Walker asked his legislative director to notify legislators he will be calling a special session to convene on October 23. The focus of this special session will be on finding alternative forms of revenue that are vital […]
Alaska Governor Bill Walker asked his legislative director to notify legislators he will be calling a special session to convene on October 23.
The focus of this special session will be on finding alternative forms of revenue that are vital in stabilizing the state’s economy, but the exact bills to be discussed will be announced in the official special session proclamation issued on or before September 22.
September 6, 2017 •
Denver City Council to Consider Amending Campaign Finance Law
Denver City Council is attempting to close a loophole allowing campaign spending to go unreported if not coordinated directly with a candidate’s campaign. The measure would adopt the state definitions of independent expenditure and electioneering communication. It would also require […]
Denver City Council is attempting to close a loophole allowing campaign spending to go unreported if not coordinated directly with a candidate’s campaign.
The measure would adopt the state definitions of independent expenditure and electioneering communication. It would also require individuals or entities making independent expenditures to file a report within two days of spending more than $1,000, itemize all contributions received exceeding $25, and clearly identify the source of funding for any paid advertising.
If the bill passes, other changes to city campaign finance laws would include differentiation between issue committees and other political committees, as well as a requirement for quarterly reports in the calendar year before an election and additional reporting in the weeks leading up to an election.
Council has scheduled a final vote for Sept. 11.
September 6, 2017 •
South Carolina Lawmaker Resigns
State Rep. Jim Merrill resigned from the Legislature last week, just prior to appearing in court. He has been suspended from office since December, when he was indicted on two counts of misconduct in office and 28 counts of violating […]
State Rep. Jim Merrill resigned from the Legislature last week, just prior to appearing in court.
He has been suspended from office since December, when he was indicted on two counts of misconduct in office and 28 counts of violating state ethics laws. While many of the charges are misdemeanors, he could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Merrill is the second legislator to resign amid recent corruption charges. Former state House Speaker Bobby Harrell plead guilty in October 2014 to ethics-related charges and resigned.
Similar charges are currently pending against Rep. Rick Quinn and Sen. John Courson. Both remain suspended while awaiting trial.
September 1, 2017 •
North Carolina Legislature Adjourns, Agrees to Reconvene in October
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on August 31 after finishing a two-week special session. Members voted on new legislative districts per court order and voted to override two vetoes by the governor. The Legislature will reconvene on October 4, […]
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on August 31 after finishing a two-week special session.
Members voted on new legislative districts per court order and voted to override two vetoes by the governor.
The Legislature will reconvene on October 4, 2017, to consider constitutional amendments, election regulations, and to draw new judicial districts.
September 1, 2017 •
Arizona Corporation Commission Considering Code of Ethics
On August 31, the Arizona Corporation Commission held a workshop to develop a code of ethics for the commission. Commission staff presented an overview of various Arizona statutes and rules covering open meetings, conflicts of interest, financial disclosures, gifts, and […]
On August 31, the Arizona Corporation Commission held a workshop to develop a code of ethics for the commission. Commission staff presented an overview of various Arizona statutes and rules covering open meetings, conflicts of interest, financial disclosures, gifts, and lobbyists, according the commission’s press release.
The Arizona Corporation Commission is responsible for the regulation of public utilities, the oversight of incorporation or registration of companies wishing to do business in Arizona, the registration of securities offerings and dealers, and the enforcement of railroad and pipeline safety. The five commissioners making up the commission are elected officials.
The code of ethics will next be considered by the commission’s Ethics Committee on September 15.
September 1, 2017 •
LePage Threatens Possibility of Special Session
Maine Gov. Paul LePage has indicated he plans to call the Legislature into a special session later this year. LePage wants a special session to amend Legislative Document 725, because it conflicts with federal law regarding meat and poultry inspection […]
Maine Gov. Paul LePage has indicated he plans to call the Legislature into a special session later this year.
LePage wants a special session to amend Legislative Document 725, because it conflicts with federal law regarding meat and poultry inspection programs.
LePage did not state when he intends to call the special session.
September 1, 2017 •
Budget Shortfalls May Bring Special Session for Iowa
Gov. Kim Reynolds stated she will decide whether to call a special session of the Iowa Legislature in September. A special session may be needed to fix state budgetary shortfalls. Reynolds has the authority to transfer money from the cash […]
Gov. Kim Reynolds stated she will decide whether to call a special session of the Iowa Legislature in September. A special session may be needed to fix state budgetary shortfalls.
Reynolds has the authority to transfer money from the cash reserve fund if the deficit is $50 million or below.
If the deficit exceeds $50 million the Legislature would need to be called back for a special session.
August 31, 2017 •
San Francisco Ethics Commission to Consider Pay-to-Play Ordinance
At its August 28, 2017, meeting, the San Francisco Ethics Commission discussed the adoption of the 2017 San Francisco Anti-Corruption and Accountability Ordinance to revise city campaign and government conduct laws. The ordinance would create a series of new rules […]
At its August 28, 2017, meeting, the San Francisco Ethics Commission discussed the adoption of the 2017 San Francisco Anti-Corruption and Accountability Ordinance to revise city campaign and government conduct laws.
The ordinance would create a series of new rules to reduce the incidence of pay-to-play politics by increasing the applicability of current pay-to-play laws to encompass more parties seeking contracts with the city. The ordinance would also create new limits and disclosure requirements on contributions and behested payments.
The commission voted 4-0 to continue the matter to its next meeting on September 25, 2017.
August 30, 2017 •
Alaska Ballot Initiative Proposed to Limit Gifts from Lobbyists
An Alaska ballot initiative has been proposed to limit perks received by lawmakers. The proposed Alaska Government Accountability Act would limit lawmakers and aides from accepting meals or drinks purchased by lobbyists by restricting the acceptance of food and drink […]
An Alaska ballot initiative has been proposed to limit perks received by lawmakers.
The proposed Alaska Government Accountability Act would limit lawmakers and aides from accepting meals or drinks purchased by lobbyists by restricting the acceptance of food and drink from a lobbyist to de minimis and non-alcoholic items for immediate consumption. It would also ban corporations with five percent or more non-U.S. ownership from spending money on campaigns that target individual candidates.
The initiative sponsors are aiming for the proposal to appear on the 2018 ballot and are still in the process of collecting the necessary signatures.
August 30, 2017 •
Judge Invalidates California Law Allowing Public Financing of Local Campaigns
On August 28, a judge upheld a ban on the public financing of local campaigns, invalidating last year’s reforms put in place by Senate Bill 1107. The Sacramento Superior Court ruled in favor of plaintiffs, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and […]
On August 28, a judge upheld a ban on the public financing of local campaigns, invalidating last year’s reforms put in place by Senate Bill 1107.
The Sacramento Superior Court ruled in favor of plaintiffs, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and retired State Senator and Judge Quentin L. Kopp, invalidating SB 1107 and ruling that the matter must be sent to voters on a statewide ballot.
SB 1107 was passed in 2016 and allowed any municipality the option to create systems for publicly funded campaigns. In the absence of SB 1107, only six charter cities can offer limited public funds to match small campaign donations.
August 28, 2017 •
California Assembly Speaker Faces Recall Effort; Opens Debate for Universal Healthcare
Democratic Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon is currently facing a recall effort launched by single-payer healthcare activists after Rendon blocked Senate Bill 562 that would have established a single-payer healthcare system in California. Rendon represents District 63 in the California State […]
Democratic Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon is currently facing a recall effort launched by single-payer healthcare activists after Rendon blocked Senate Bill 562 that would have established a single-payer healthcare system in California. Rendon represents District 63 in the California State Assembly.
On August 24, Rendon announced plans for special committee hearings this fall to develop legislation for a path forward for universal health care legislation.
Recall organizers must collect 22,963 signatures for a recall election to be held.
August 28, 2017 •
California Recall Fight Continues
Senate Bill 117 was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on August 24. The law is effective immediately upon passage and extends the recall election timeline and would consolidate the Josh Newman recall election with the June 2018 primary […]
Senate Bill 117 was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on August 24.
The law is effective immediately upon passage and extends the recall election timeline and would consolidate the Josh Newman recall election with the June 2018 primary instead of a standalone special ballot this fall.
Under the law, people who signed recall petitions now have 30 days to withdraw their signatures.
Within hours of Gov. Jerry Brown signing the bill, a legal challenge was filed to block the new law claiming SB 117 violates the due process rights of Newman recall proponents. No court date has been set.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.