The Maryland Legislature adjourned sine die at midnight on April 7. Several bills affecting government affairs were passed through both houses and are waiting on the governor’s desk to be signed. These bills include Senate Bill 945 and House Bill 945. Together, they will change the gubernatorial primary election date to the fourth Tuesday in June. Senate Bill 262 alters the dates for special elections, requiring them to be set within 90 days of being called. Senate Bill 633 allows registered lobbyists to complete ethics training online. These bills will be effective October 1, if signed by the governor.

State Representative Jason Lowe resigned on April 7 to become an Oklahoma County commissioner. Gov. Stitt called a special election to replace Lowe with a potential primary election on June 10. A primary runoff is scheduled for August 12 and the general election on September 9. If a runoff is not necessary, the general election will be on August 12.

The State Court of Appeals ruled the Ethics Commission has authority over organizations engaging in ad campaigns intended to influence state lawmakers. The ruling stems from a complaint filed with the commission against Albuquerque-based New Mexico Families Forward (NMFF), which registered with the Office of Secretary of State as a lobbying advertising campaign but did not disclose the identity of its donors or the amounts contributed. NMFF argued the commission’s jurisdiction to enforce the Lobbyist Reporting Act extended only to complaints against individuals who are lobbyists and lobbyist employers. NMFF took the commission to court in October 2022, and the Second Judicial District Court ordered the commission to halt all proceedings against NMFF and to dismiss the complaint. The commission appealed and the Court of Appeals reversed, ordering the case back to the commission.

Lawmakers adjourned abruptly last week on April 4, resulting in many bills being carried over to the second year of the session in 2026. One important passed bill awaiting the governor’s approval is Senate Bill 199. The bill removes the requirement for legislative lobbyists to report semi-monthly during the session. Under this new system only a single monthly report will be required for lobbyists beginning in 2026. The bill also changes campaign finance reporting requirements. Reports for election as well as nonelection years are due January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 20. This does affect lobbying reporting. The final semi-monthly lobbyist report is due April 15.

The 68^th Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, April 4. The session lasted 89 days with a focus on tax cuts but also included a passed bill affecting the Lobbyist Registration Act. House Bill 398 reorganizes the state’s Sunshine Laws by moving the lobbying provisions within Title 67, Chapter 66, State Government and State Affairs, to Title 74, Chapter 7, Transparent and Ethical Government. The bill also updates the definition of lobbying to clarify both direct and indirect efforts to influence covered officials are considered lobbying. The bill becomes effective July 1.

The 100th session of the Legislature adjourned sine die on March 31. Lawmakers convened for Veto Day and failed to override the two bills vetoed by Gov. Larry Rhoden. The many bills passed during the session included Senate Bill 164, prohibiting the use of a deepfake within 90 days of an election if it does not include a disclosure. Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 12, prohibiting a candidate or political committee from accepting a loan from a person if the principal amount of the loans and contributions made by the person exceeds the limit the candidate or political committee may accept as a contribution. Other bills passed included House Bill 1264, requiring the disclosure of an outstanding loan balance on a campaign finance disclosure report and Senate Bill 89, repealing the requirement that judicial officers be listed on a separate nonpolitical ballot.

The 2024 regular session of the General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 28, marking the last official action inside the Capitol for the next few years during a restoration project. Lawmakers will convene in a temporary structure on the Capitol campus during the project. Passed bills include House Bill 45, prohibiting foreign nationals from making campaign contributions; establishing reporting requirements for political issues committees and independent expenditures; and requiring a “paid for by” disclosure for ballot measure advertisements. Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 4, creating standards and guidelines for using artificial intelligence in state government and elections and requiring any electioneering communication using synthetic media to include a conspicuous disclosure.

The Mississippi Legislature adjourned early following tensions between the House and Senate concerning the state’s budget. The House adjourned following the Senate’s decision to ignore a deadline set by the House to consider extending the session. This decision puts the responsibility onto Gov. Tate to call a special session prior to July 1 so that both houses can reach an agreement. This does affect lobbying reporting. The lobbyist end-of-session-activity report is due 10 days after the legislative session adjourned.

The Georgia House has just passed a bill removing the requirement to submit semi-monthly lobbyist activity reports when the Legislature is in session. Senate Bill 199 requires all reporting to be filed on the fifth of each month, which would bring reporting of state-level legislative lobbying in line with executive branch lobbying. The bill now goes to Gov. Kemp and if signed, will be effective January 1, 2026

The Department of State issued a declaratory ruling clarifying an exception to the lobbying gift ban regarding expenses for officials attending conferences. In the Detroit Regional Chamber Declaratory Ruling issued March 31, the department concluded a lobbyist or lobbyist agent may provide complimentary admission to public officials attending the Mackinac Policy Conference where the officials are providing a service with a value equal to or greater than the price of admission. The burden of demonstrating a public official is providing a service is on the lobbyist or lobbyist agent. An earlier ruling issued on March 10 concluded complimentary admission was an impermissible gift, but additional evidence submitted during the public comment period demonstrated public officials attending the Mackinac Policy Conference provide a service in exchange for complimentary admission. Lawmakers are currently considering Senate Bill 101, which would codify an exception to the gift ban for admission to a conference or educational event with subject matter directly related to the duties of the public official.

Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill a vacancy in Senate District 6 following the resignation of Sen. Justin Eichorn on March 20. The Senate was expected to expel Eichorn after he was arrested and charged as part of a minor prostitution sting. The special primary election will be held on April 15, followed by the special general election on April 29.

Lawmakers passed a bill changing the disclosure requirements for political committees. House Bill 1264, effective July 1, 2025, requires campaign finance disclosure reports, including amendments, supplements, and termination reports to include the outstanding balance of each loan received at the time the report is filed.

Kansas lawmakers passed a bill allowing more nonprofits to reimburse public officials for travel and conferences. House Bill 2060 expands who can reimburse public officials for expenses to any nonprofit nonpartisan organization that doesn’t engage in lobbying in the state of Kansas. Current law prohibits certain elected officials and state employees from soliciting or accepting free or discounted tickets to entertainment or sporting events if such gifts are provided due to their role in government. The bill creates an exemption if it is obvious to the person accepting the gift the free or discounted tickets are not provided due to their position, or if accepting an invitation serves a legitimate state purpose or interest. The bill will now go to the governor to be signed or vetoed.

KENTUCKY: Lawmakers passed a bill amending campaign finance law which prohibits a foreign national from making contributions or expenditures in support of or opposition to a ballot measure. House Bill 45, effective June 26,2025, defines foreign national as any individual who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States: a government, political subdivision, or municipality of a foreign country; a foreign political party; any entity, organized under the laws of or has its principal place of business in a foreign country; or any entity in the United States that is wholly or majority owned by any foreign national. The bill also establishes reporting and record retention requirements for political issues committees and persons making independent expenditures. The bill also expands the definition of independent expenditure to include expenditures in support of or opposition to a ballot measure.