The special session of the Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die on November 22, 2011.

The session, which began November 1, 2011, concerned the Keystone XL crude-oil pipeline project’s intended route through the state. The special session was called by Governor Dave Heinemen to focus on proposed bills intended to reroute the pipeline around a region of the state rich in groundwater. As a result of the session, two measures in relation to the pipeline were passed.

For more information about the measures passed and the special session, you can read the Legislature’s official news release, “Two pipeline measures approved; Legislature adjourns” on the Unicameral Update page.

Photo of the Nebraska Legislative Chamber by ensignbeedrill on Wikipedia.

GoLocalProv.com posted this article today: “RI Groups Have Spent Over $2.2 million on Washington Lobbyists in 2011” by Dan McGowan.

According to the article, “Rhode Island corporations, cities and towns, colleges and universities and non-profit organizations have spent more than $2.2 million this year on lobbyists in the nation’s capital, a GoLocalProv review of lobbyist reports shows.”

The U.S. District Court for Northern District of Illinois sentenced Tony Rezko to 10 1/2 years in prison, of which he has served three-and-a-half years.

For the full story:

“Judge sentences Blagojevich fundraiser Rezko to 10½ years, he will get credit for time served” from the Washington Post.

“Top Blagojevich adviser Tony Rezko gets 10½ years” from the Chicago Tribune.

The Alabama Secretary of State’s office has released the 2012 campaign finance filing calendar.

The calendar incorporates the changes enacted by the Alabama Legislature as public acts 2011-687 and 2011-697 including increased frequency of reporting required by political action committees.

Lobbyists in Texas must update their filing software to the newest version in order to properly file reports.

Becky Levy, Director of the Disclosure Filings Division of the Texas Ethics Commission, issued a memorandum stating before filing lobby activities reports, the software used must be upgraded in order to have the latest enhancements to file properly. Lobbyist activity reports in Texas must be filed electronically unless qualifying for an exemption.

More information about the software, and how to download it, is located here.

The Denver District Court has ruled Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler did not have the authority to raise contribution thresholds concerning when state issue committees have to register and report their activity.

At issue was Gessler’s adoption of Campaign and Political Finance Rule 4.27, which increased from $200 to $5,000 the threshold at which an issue committee must register and report. The $200 threshold, set by the Colorado Constitution, was found to be too burdensome in the recent Colorado case of Sampson v. Buescher.

The court determined that, despite the conflict, Gessler’s alteration of the constitutionally mandated $200 threshold was an impermissible unilateral alteration of the Colorado Constitution. Gessler plans to appeal the ruling.

Previously, the state rejected a less stringent bill exempting county employees and requiring commissioners to wait just one year before accepting employment with a company they did business with while in office.

Commissioners indicated the only reason for the controversial change was the state’s mandate to pass the ethics ordinance. Changes to the county gift law prohibit commissioners from accepting tickets or free admission to sporting events and require free meals to be consumed in the presence of the donor.

The law now goes back to the State Ethics Commission for its approval.

Jon Green, the executive director of Connecticut Working Families has been fined $10,000 by the Connecticut Office of State Ethics for not wearing a badge while he lobbied on legislation in the 2010 election cycle.

You can find news coverage of the story here:

“Working Families Official To Pay $10,000 Ethics Fine” by Jon Lender in the Hartford Courant.

“WFP Director Fined For Lobbying Without Badge”  by Christine Stuart in CT News Junkie.

“CT levies $10K fine against unsanctioned lobbyist” in the Hartford Business Journal.

The first reporting period will be the first quarter of 2012, and the first expense report is due April 30, 2012.

Regulation No. 9, regarding lobbying, will become effective January 3, 2012. The Board of Ethics intends to recommend amendments to Regulation No. 9 to bring it into conformity with amendments made to Philadelphia City Code Chapter 20-1200 by Bill No. 110556.

In the event an online filing system is not available by January 3, 2012, an interim registration method will be provided by the Board of Ethics.

Governor Steve Beshear has called for a special election on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 to fill the vacant 82nd House District seat.

The seat became vacant after former state Rep. Dewayne Bunch resigned his position last month as a result of head injuries he obtained while breaking up a fight at Whitley County High School. Bunch, who taught at the school, was left in “extremely critical” condition following the April 12, 2011 altercation.

Regina Bunch, wife to the former representative, has been named by the local Republican Party to be the party’s nominee. Local Democrat officials have stated they currently have no plans to pick a nominee to oppose Bunch.

WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN:  Wayne County will have a comprehensive ethics ordinance in place within the next 90 days, according to Wayne County Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak.

Commission attorneys are currently working on a draft of a Wayne County ethics ordinance. Hearings are expected in January, with final approval targeted for February.

The ordinance seeks to set enhanced standards of conduct for officials and employees and rules for disclosure designed to avoid conflicts of interest and improper business practices.

MINNESOTA:  The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board released a memo concerning electronic filing of campaign finance reports.  Electronic filing of campaign finance reports will be mandatory for most committees beginning with reports covering calendar year 2012. The electronic filing requirement does not apply to 2011 year-end reports.

Additionally, the waiver of electronic filing request process will be discussed at the Board’s December 2011 meeting.

North Dakota lawmakers wrapped up a special session on Friday after providing millions of dollars in additional disaster relief and repealing a law requiring the University of North Dakota to keep its Fighting Sioux nickname.

The five-day special session also produced a new redistricting map and items related to the Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to defend hydraulic fracturing in the state.

Code Home Rule Bill 5-11 expands regulation regarding conflict of interest, lobbyist reporting, gift law, and enforcement of violations.

Changes include a lower registration threshold for lobbyists at $200 of food, entertainment, or gifts to public officials in a calendar year. The ethics commission will now be able to asses a late fee of $10 per day for failure to timely file lobbyist registrations and reports.