June 22, 2017 •
San Jose, CA Lobbyist Reporting and Gift Ordinances Set for Final Reading
On June 20, the San Jose City Council approved changes to require lobbyists to file online reports every Monday if they met with city officials the week prior. The council also approved changes to San Jose’s gift ordinance to increase […]
On June 20, the San Jose City Council approved changes to require lobbyists to file online reports every Monday if they met with city officials the week prior.
The council also approved changes to San Jose’s gift ordinance to increase the gift limit from $50 to $470.
The proposed ordinances are scheduled for a final reading on June 27. If approved, the ordinances will become effective 30 days following the adoption date.
June 22, 2017 •
Washington Legislature Convenes Third Special Session
On June 21, the Washington Legislature adjourned its second special session sine die. Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill during the session forcing Gov. Jay Inslee to call for another special session to start immediately after […]
On June 21, the Washington Legislature adjourned its second special session sine die.
Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill during the session forcing Gov. Jay Inslee to call for another special session to start immediately after adjournment.
A two-year operating budget needs signed into law by June 30 or the state faces a partial government shutdown.
June 22, 2017 •
Massachusetts Special Election to be Called
A special election will be called for the 1st Berkshire State Representative Seat to replace Rep. Gailanne Cariddi. Rep. Cariddi, who was in her fourth term, died over the weekend. Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo is responsible for setting the […]
A special election will be called for the 1st Berkshire State Representative Seat to replace Rep. Gailanne Cariddi.
Rep. Cariddi, who was in her fourth term, died over the weekend.
Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo is responsible for setting the date for the special election but no date has been set yet.
June 22, 2017 •
Utah Special Election Process Might Face Legal Challenge
The United Utah Party, a state party created at the end of May, will likely file suit to compel the Utah Elections Office to certify its candidate for the 3rd Congressional District after the office refused to permit the candidate […]
The United Utah Party, a state party created at the end of May, will likely file suit to compel the Utah Elections Office to certify its candidate for the 3rd Congressional District after the office refused to permit the candidate to file provisionally before the United Utah Party’s qualified party status was certified.
The United Utah Party and Utah lawmakers are unhappy with the special election process and timeline Gov. Gary Herbert has chosen for the special election to replace Rep. Jason Chaffetz. Lawmakers originally wanted a special session of the Legislature to clarify the process as none is set by state law, but Gov. Herbert refused.
Utah House leaders reached out to State Attorney General Sean Reyes for a legal opinion on whether Gov. Herbert’s process was valid, but Gov. Herbert moved to block the opinion stating the Attorney General represents his office and not the Legislature.
Utah law establishes a 300-day process for a special election to fill a congressional vacancy. Lawmakers and state and local officials are concerned the abbreviated timeline Gov. Herbert set for this special election violates the law and could be rejected with high costs to counties who will start mailing primary ballots by the end of the month.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz will remain in office until June 30, 2017. The Governor’s office believes the process is legal and has approval from the U.S. Department of Justice and Congress.
June 21, 2017 •
Maine Legislature Extends First Regular Session
The first regular session of the 128th Legislature has been extended for up to five legislative days. Originally, statutory adjournment was scheduled for June 21, 2017. Both the Senate and House agreed to extend the session in a Joint Order […]
The first regular session of the 128th Legislature has been extended for up to five legislative days.
Originally, statutory adjournment was scheduled for June 21, 2017.
Both the Senate and House agreed to extend the session in a Joint Order filed as Senate Paper 595.
June 21, 2017 •
Kentucky Ethics Commission Votes to Appeal Ruling Allowing Lobbyist Gifts
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission unanimously voted to appeal a recent ruling striking down state ethics laws. District Court Judge William O. Bertelsman, in a ruling earlier this month, stated the prohibitions on gifts and campaign contributions from lobbyists to […]
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission unanimously voted to appeal a recent ruling striking down state ethics laws.
District Court Judge William O. Bertelsman, in a ruling earlier this month, stated the prohibitions on gifts and campaign contributions from lobbyists to lawmakers are unconstitutional.
The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance continues to mull its options before the Monday deadline to appeal. Many groups, including the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, urged the agencies to appeal in order to maintain the state’s current ethics system.
The appeal will be filed with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.
June 20, 2017 •
Louisiana Adjourns Special Session
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned the second special session Friday, June 16, 2017 after passing the state’s budget. The Legislature could not reach an agreement to pass the budget during the 2017 regular legislative session forcing Gov. John Bel Edwards to […]
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned the second special session Friday, June 16, 2017 after passing the state’s budget.
The Legislature could not reach an agreement to pass the budget during the 2017 regular legislative session forcing Gov. John Bel Edwards to call a special session to set an operating budget for the 2017 fiscal year.
The legislature is not scheduled to convene again until the 2018 regular legislative session.
June 19, 2017 •
San Jose, CA to Consider Changes to Lobbyist Reporting and Gift Ordinances
The San Jose City Council is set to consider new lobbyist regulations at its meeting on June 20. As proposed, the changes will require lobbyists to file online reports every Monday if they met with city officials the week prior. […]
The San Jose City Council is set to consider new lobbyist regulations at its meeting on June 20.
As proposed, the changes will require lobbyists to file online reports every Monday if they met with city officials the week prior. The increased reporting frequency is aimed at improving transparency because currently most city decisions are decided before quarterly lobbyist reports are available to the public. The council is also scheduled to consider changing San Jose’s gift ordinance on June 20.
Under the current ordinance, city officials may not accept gifts valued more than $50. The proposed amendment will increase the limit to $470 and require reporting for gifts valued more than $50.
June 19, 2017 •
Alaska Convenes Second Special Session
The Alaska Legislature’s first special session ran out of time on June 16 without lawmakers passing a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Gov. Bill Walker immediately called a second special session convening that same day […]
The Alaska Legislature’s first special session ran out of time on June 16 without lawmakers passing a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit.
Gov. Bill Walker immediately called a second special session convening that same day to address the budget.
Alaska faces a government shutdown if a budget is not adopted by July 1.
June 16, 2017 •
New Mexico Sec. of State Proposes New Campaign Finance Rule
Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse is using her rulemaking authority over all persons, candidates, and committees covered by the Campaign Reporting Act by proposing a draft campaign finance rule. Similar to Senate Bill 96, a bill vetoed by Gov. Susana […]
Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse is using her rulemaking authority over all persons, candidates, and committees covered by the Campaign Reporting Act by proposing a draft campaign finance rule.
Similar to Senate Bill 96, a bill vetoed by Gov. Susana Martinez after the 2017 regular session, the proposed rule requires groups spending more than $1,000 for political advertising to file a report detailing the expense and the name and address of each contributor of more than $200 in the previous 12 months earmarked or made in response to a solicitation. If passed, the rule will become effective October 3, 2017.
The notice and proposed rule are available at http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Elections_Data/notice-of-proposed-rulemaking.aspx.
June 15, 2017 •
Orange County, CA Opens Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission
Orange County’s Office of Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission is now open. In 2016, voters approved a measure to create the Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission to provide oversight of the county’s campaign finance, lobbyist, and ethics ordinances. Denah Hoard […]
Orange County’s Office of Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission is now open. In 2016, voters approved a measure to create the Campaign Finance and Ethics Commission to provide oversight of the county’s campaign finance, lobbyist, and ethics ordinances.
Denah Hoard was named as the Executive Director of the commission and the county is currently in the process of seeking commissioners.
All lobbyist registrations and updates must now be conducted through the commission. A new lobbyist registration portal is scheduled to go live June 16, 2017. The commission will send emails to current lobbyists with the link to the new website and directions to activate their accounts.
Further information can be found at www.ocgov.com/gov/ocethics/.
June 15, 2017 •
Vermont Governor Signs Ethics Bill
Gov. Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 8 today, approving the creation of a state code of ethics and a state ethics commission. The five-member commission will review cases of unethical behavior and, if necessary, send the case to the attorney […]
Gov. Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 8 today, approving the creation of a state code of ethics and a state ethics commission.
The five-member commission will review cases of unethical behavior and, if necessary, send the case to the attorney general. The bill also prohibits former lawmakers and executive officers from lobbying for one year after leaving office and prohibits businesses from entering into certain contracts with state offices where they have made campaign contributions.
The new revolving door provision takes effect on July 1, 2017 and the contractor contribution restrictions take effect on December 16, 2018.
June 15, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Oklahoma Senate District 37
Gov. Mary Fallin ordered a special election for Oklahoma Senate District 37. Sen. Dan Newberry resigned in June to seek a promotion in his professional career; his resignation is effective January 31, 2018. A special primary election is scheduled for […]
Gov. Mary Fallin ordered a special election for Oklahoma Senate District 37.
Sen. Dan Newberry resigned in June to seek a promotion in his professional career; his resignation is effective January 31, 2018.
A special primary election is scheduled for September 12 with a general election to follow on November 14.
If a special primary is not necessary, the special general will be held on September 12.
June 13, 2017 •
Scheduled Maintenance for Hawaii Campaign Finance Filing System
The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission’s electronic filing systems will be offline for system maintenance from June 20, 2017, to June 22, 2017. During this time, new candidate and noncandidate committees will not be able to register electronically. Existing committees will […]
The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission’s electronic filing systems will be offline for system maintenance from June 20, 2017, to June 22, 2017.
During this time, new candidate and noncandidate committees will not be able to register electronically. Existing committees will not be able to enter campaign spending data or electronically file disclosure reports.
Currently registered noncandidate committees will also not be able to import contribution and expenditure data into the NCFS Import System.
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