Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford, as chair of the Commission to Modernize State Procurement, released a report outlining a plan to update state procurement laws. The proposed regulations will update outdated statutory language and allow individuals to file applications and reports online.

Along with the report, Maryland unveiled a new procurement website, which will act as a singular procurement communications portal providing online access to procurement information. The new procurement information website can be viewed here.

The Alabama Ethics Commission (AEC) has suspended the implementation of an advisory opinion released in September. The controversial opinion expanded the definition of lobbyist principal to include anyone in the organization with authority such as executives, officers, and members of boards of directors.

Because lobbyists and principals cannot give a thing of value to legislators, the expanded definition of principal was a concern to nonprofits. At an AEC meeting on December 7, 2016, representatives of nonprofits stated many of their chief donors had ceased contributing over concerns about the expanded definition of principal. In response to those concerns, the AEC members voted to suspend the advisory opinion.

The Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperatives filed suit Wednesday morning in federal district court challenging changes to campaign finance laws that became effective December 8.

Voters approved the changes via a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Among other things, the amendment establishes contribution limits for individuals and entities supporting statewide and judicial candidates, as well as prohibits certain corporate and labor union contributions.

The Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperatives unsuccessfully attempted to block the statewide referendum prior the November election; an appeals court stopped its lawsuit because it would not consider campaign restrictions not yet in effect. The new suit alleges the campaign finance changes violate free speech rights as they unfairly limit some businesses and associations from participating in political campaigns.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has selected Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the ambassador to China.

Branstad’s amiable relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping was a major factor in Trump’s decision to choose the Iowa governor.

If Branstad accepts the position and is confirmed by the Senate, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will finish the rest of Branstad’s term as the first female governor of Iowa .

Photo of Terry Branstad by Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons.

Today, a new chapter of New Hampshire’s ethics laws came into effect.

Chapter 14-C of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes concerns gifts, honorariums, and expense reimbursements requirements for legislators and legislative employees. Legislators and legislative employees can receive gifts not having a value greater than $50 and not having an aggregate value greater than $250 from any single source during any calendar year. The law defines a legislative employee as any person employed by the legislative branch.

House Bill 458, which enacted the chapter, also amended portions of other sections of state law, including a provision requiring lobbyists to affirm having read the newly enacted chapter upon registration.

A special election has been called to fill House Rep. Oliver Robinson’s District 58 seat. Robinson decided to retire so his daughter can serve as House liaison for Gov. Robert Bentley.

A special primary election will be held on March 7, 2017, and the special general election will be held on May 23, 2017, provided a runoff is not required.

Robinson’s resignation was effective on December 5, 2016.

Photo of Oliver Robinson from the Alabama Legislature directory.

The staff of the Maine Ethics Commission (MEC) will propose legislation to the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices at a meeting on December 8, 2016, to enhance the public’s understanding of major contributors to political committees.

The statutory proposal would require national organizations contributing more than $100,000 to Maine-based political committees to file a one-time report with MEC detailing basic contact information about the national organization, a responsible officer, the form of the organization, and a description of its purpose. The report would require the organization to provide the top five sources of funding received during the previous 12 months. Failure to file a report could result in a $50,000 penalty.

If the statutory proposal is approved by the commissioners, it would then go to the Legislature for consideration.

Here is our December calendar. If you are attending any of these events, please say hello!

December 6-9   NCSL Capitol Forum, Washington, DC

December 6   SGAC Holiday Reception, Washington DC

December 7   Ohio Holiday Reception, Washington, DC

December 7   WGR Holiday Party, Washington, DC

December 8   DDC Advocacy Holiday Party, Washington, DC

December 11-14   COGEL Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana

After months of taunting the public, a special session may happen in late December.

Recently, four Minnesota legislative caucus leaders met with Gov. Mark Dayton and tentatively agreed to a special session. The primary purpose of the session will address Minnesota’s 59 percent increase on its individual health insurance market premiums.

Along with insurance premiums, the special session will address both a vetoed tax bill and a failed bonding bill from the 2016 regular session. While the official date has yet to be announced, the special session will likely occur around December 20, 2016.

Nearly a month after Election Day, Gov. Pat McCrory conceded the governor’s race today in a video message posted to YouTube, making Democrat Roy Cooper the next governor of North Carolina.

Following weeks of recounts and challenges alleging voter fraud, McCrory’s concession was made as early results from Durham County’s recount showed no change from initial results.

The regular legislative session is fast approaching and is set to convene January 9, 2017. With 30 days before the official start date, December 10, 2016, will mark the date legislators and state executive officeholders may not solicit or accept campaign contributions until the session adjourns.

Candidates may accept contributions that were made on December 9 or earlier, including contributions that were mailed and bear a December 9 postmark.

New Mexico State Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto revealed a draft of the Public Accountability Act (PAA) at a recent legislative meeting. If passed, the PAA would create a 12-member Public Accountability Board with the purpose of investigating and ruling on complaints against public officials, employees, candidates, lobbyists and government contractors.

Additionally, the PAA would give the board enforcement authority over civil violations and would impact local government. Republican state Rep. Jim Dines stated he will propose a constitutional amendment to create a nine-member ethics commission to oversee the Legislature, contractors, and lobbyists.

Both pieces of legislation are intended for the 2017 legislative session and bills may be pre-filed on December 15, 2016.

On December 7, Portland City Council will consider the proposed Open and Accountable Elections package to create a public campaign finance matching system, increase penalties for willful violations of election laws, and improve contribution reporting requirements.

The ordinance would put the Office of Neighborhood Involvement in charge of enforcement. The proposal originally sought to place the task of enforcement on the Auditor’s Office, which administers elections; however, Auditor Mary Hull Caballero challenged the idea as a violation of the city’s charter.

The Summit County grand jury indicted Akron Councilman Bob Hoch on three first-degree misdemeanor charges. Hoch was accused more than a year ago of violating Ohio conflict of interest laws by voting on legislation and speaking on issues benefitting his sons, who are Akron firefighters.

The three counts pertain to actions taken in 2012, as well as an ongoing alleged conflict between 2014 and 2015.

Hoch previously denied a conflict of interest existed, as did City Council President Marilyn Keith. If convicted, Hoch could face up to 18 months in jail and lose his council seat.