June 1, 2015 •
Texas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
Today the Legislature adjourned sine die. Gov. Greg Abbott has 20 days after transmittal of bills sent at the end of the session to sign or veto the legislation. If the governor does not act on a bill, it becomes […]
Today the Legislature adjourned sine die. Gov. Greg Abbott has 20 days after transmittal of bills sent at the end of the session to sign or veto the legislation. If the governor does not act on a bill, it becomes law.
June 1, 2015 •
Special Session Scheduled for North Dakota Legislature
The North Dakota Legislature is set to reconvene for a special session on June 16, 2015. The House and Senate failed to reach an agreement during the regular session on a budget bill for the public employee retirement system and […]
The North Dakota Legislature is set to reconvene for a special session on June 16, 2015. The House and Senate failed to reach an agreement during the regular session on a budget bill for the public employee retirement system and the state retirement and investment office.
Only two days remain of the 80 legislative days allowed every two years, but leaders of both chambers are confident a compromise will be reached in time.
Photo of the North Dakota State Capitol by MatthewUND on Wikimedia Commons.
May 30, 2015 •
WA Legislature Convenes Second Special Session
The Washington Legislature adjourned its first special session on Thursday, May 28, 2015, only to immediately convene a second special session on Friday, May 29, 2015. Gov. Jay Inslee called the second special session as a result of lawmakers’ inability […]
The Washington Legislature adjourned its first special session on Thursday, May 28, 2015, only to immediately convene a second special session on Friday, May 29, 2015.
Gov. Jay Inslee called the second special session as a result of lawmakers’ inability to agree on a budget during the first special session.
Lawmakers must come to a budgetary agreement by July 1, 2015, or the state government could face a shutdown.
Photo of the Washington State Senate chamber by Lincolnite on Wikimedia Commons.
May 29, 2015 •
Nebraska Legislature Adjourns
The first session of the 104th Legislature adjourned sine die today, May 29, 2015, on the 89th day of the scheduled 90-day session. Senators passed 272 bills into law, including an $8.7 billion two-year budget. The second session of the […]
The first session of the 104th Legislature adjourned sine die today, May 29, 2015, on the 89th day of the scheduled 90-day session.
Senators passed 272 bills into law, including an $8.7 billion two-year budget.
The second session of the 104th Legislature is scheduled to convene on January 6, 2016.
May 29, 2015 •
Arkansas State Legislature Adjourns Special Session
The First Extraordinary Session of the 90th General Assembly adjourned on Thursday, May 28. Lawmakers spent much of the three day session discussing, and ultimately approving, a bill to move the state’s 2016 primary and nonpartisan judicial elections from May […]
The First Extraordinary Session of the 90th General Assembly adjourned on Thursday, May 28.
Lawmakers spent much of the three day session discussing, and ultimately approving, a bill to move the state’s 2016 primary and nonpartisan judicial elections from May 20 to March 1.
May 28, 2015 •
Miami-Dade County to Launch Online Lobbyist Registration System
The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts has announced a new online lobbyist registration system will launch on June 1, 2015. Current lobbyist information will be transferred to the new system and lobbyists will receive temporary log in information via email […]
The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts has announced a new online lobbyist registration system will launch on June 1, 2015.
Current lobbyist information will be transferred to the new system and lobbyists will receive temporary log in information via email in order to create a profile.
This release only affects registration; however, plans to incorporate expenditure reporting are forthcoming.
May 28, 2015 •
Connecticut Governor Signs Ethics Bill
Gov. Dannel Malloy has signed a bill amending the code of ethics. Senate Bill 850, now known as Public Act 15-15, creates an additional exception to the definition of expenditure, adds to the list of who is not included in […]
Gov. Dannel Malloy has signed a bill amending the code of ethics.
Senate Bill 850, now known as Public Act 15-15, creates an additional exception to the definition of expenditure, adds to the list of who is not included in the definition of a lobbyist, and raises the threshold for lobbyist registration from $2,000 to $3,000.
The new provisions are effective January 1, 2016.
May 27, 2015 •
Montana Contribution Limits to Be Tested Again
On May 26, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a lower court’s ruling in Lair v. Bullock. The lower court concluded Montana’s political contribution limits were unconstitutionally low. The appellate court found the lower district court […]
On May 26, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a lower court’s ruling in Lair v. Bullock. The lower court concluded Montana’s political contribution limits were unconstitutionally low. The appellate court found the lower district court applied the wrong legal standard prior to permanently enjoining the enforcement of Montana’s restrictions on campaign contributions by individuals, political action committees, and political parties.
The case was remanded back to the district court to allow Montana’s political contribution limits to be tested under the new and more restrictive standard of Citizens United v. FEC. This new standard, the court stated, means, “The prevention of quid pro quo corruption, or its appearance, is the only sufficiently important state interest to justify limits on campaign contributions. Before Citizens United, it was enough to show the state’s interest was simply to prevent the influence contributors of large sums have on politicians, or the appearance of such influence. No longer so.”
Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathon Motl said he was confident the limits will be sustained, according to the Missoulian.
May 27, 2015 •
Oklahoma Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The First Regular Session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on May 22, 2015, one week ahead of its scheduled deadline. The Second Session will convene on February 1, 2016. Photo of the Oklahoma State Capitol by Caleb […]
The First Regular Session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on May 22, 2015, one week ahead of its scheduled deadline.
The Second Session will convene on February 1, 2016.
Photo of the Oklahoma State Capitol by Caleb Long on Wikimedia Commons.
May 26, 2015 •
Special Election Set to Fill Vacant Georgia House Seats
A special election has been set for July 14, 2015. The election will be held to fill vacant seats in House Districts 48, 80, 146, and 155. If necessary, a runoff election will be held on August 11, 2015. Photo […]
A special election has been set for July 14, 2015. The election will be held to fill vacant seats in House Districts 48, 80, 146, and 155.
If necessary, a runoff election will be held on August 11, 2015.
Photo of the Georgia State Capitol dome by Connor.carey on Wikimedia Commons.
May 22, 2015 •
Suffolk County Legislature Passes Lobbying Resolution
The Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution on May 12, 2015, to strengthen county lobbying law. Resolution 356 amends the definition of lobbying to include every person or organization retained, employed, or designated by any client to engage in lobbying […]
The Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution on May 12, 2015, to strengthen county lobbying law. Resolution 356 amends the definition of lobbying to include every person or organization retained, employed, or designated by any client to engage in lobbying before the county.
The ordinance also changes the administering body of lobbying regulations to the Clerk of the Legislature.
The resolution becomes effective upon approval by the County Executive; such approval is expected as early as the end of June.
May 22, 2015 •
Minnesota Legislature Likely to Convene Special Session
The Minnesota Legislature will likely convene a special session after Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the state’s education budget. Unless law makers can come to an agreement on an education budget before July 1, the state Department of Education will shut […]
The Minnesota Legislature will likely convene a special session after Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the state’s education budget. Unless law makers can come to an agreement on an education budget before July 1, the state Department of Education will shut down.
The special session will likely convene in the coming weeks, but due to renovations at the Capitol, legislators will meet outside of their chambers. Minnesota law requires the Legislature to convene inside the city limits of St. Paul.
Dayton has until Saturday, May 23, 2015, to sign or veto any other budget bills, or let them become law without his signature.
Photo of the Minnesota State Capitol dome by Mulad on Wikimedia Commons.
May 21, 2015 •
Nevada Lobbyist Revolving Door Bill Heads to Governor
On May 20, Assembly Bill 273, which would require a cooling-off period before Nevada state legislators can act as paid lobbyists, passed the Senate. The Assembly passed this bill on April 15. If signed into law, a former legislator could […]
On May 20, Assembly Bill 273, which would require a cooling-off period before Nevada state legislators can act as paid lobbyists, passed the Senate. The Assembly passed this bill on April 15.
If signed into law, a former legislator could not work as a paid lobbyist for the period beginning on the date the former Legislator leaves office as a member of the Legislature and ending on the date of final adjournment of the next regular session during which the former legislator is not a member of the Legislature.
The bill allows a former legislator to immediately register as a paid lobbyist if the former lawmaker is required to act as a lobbyist as part of his or her full time employment, does not act as a lobbyist for others, and has primary responsibilities of employment including significant duties other than acting as a lobbyist. If signed, the law becomes effective on November 8, 2016.
Photo of the Nevada Legislature courtesy of Dave Parker on Wikimedia Commons.
May 21, 2015 •
Connecticut Legislature Passes Bill to Raise Lobbyist Registration Threshold
The state’s legislature has agreed to a bill amending the code of ethics. Senate Bill 850, now known as Public Act 15-15, creates an additional exception to the definition of expenditure, adds to who is not included in the definition […]
The state’s legislature has agreed to a bill amending the code of ethics.
Senate Bill 850, now known as Public Act 15-15, creates an additional exception to the definition of expenditure, adds to who is not included in the definition of a lobbyist, and raises the threshold for lobbyist registration from $2,000 to $3,000.
After passing both chambers, the measure awaits the governor’s signature. If signed, the new provisions will be effective January 1, 2016.
Photo of the Connecticut State Capitol by jglazer75 on Wikimedia Commons.
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