June 2, 2011 •
Tennessee Bill Allowing Corporate Contributions Becomes Law
Contribution Limits Increased
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has signed Senate Bill 1915 (companion to House Bill 1003) into law.
The bill allows corporations to contribute to candidates by removing the previous statutory prohibition. The bill also adjusts contribution limits to reflect change in the Consumer Price Index.
The new law is effective immediately.
June 1, 2011 •
Oklahoma Legislature Adjourns, Illinois General Assembly Recesses
Timely news from the states.
OKLAHOMA: The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on May 27, 2011.
ILLINOIS: The Illinois General Assembly has recessed. The senate will reconvene on October 25, 2011. No date has been set for the house to reconvene.
June 1, 2011 •
Special Election Scheduled for August 9, 2011 to Fill Vacant Assembly Seat
Primary Set for July 12, 2011
A special election has been scheduled for August 9, 2011 to fill a seat left vacant in Assembly District 48.
In an executive order, Governor Scott Walker ordered the special election to fill the seat left vacant after the resignation of Joe Parisi, who was elected Dane County Executive in April.
If a primary is necessary in the district, it will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.
Photo of the Wisconsin Capitol by Dori on Wikipedia.
May 31, 2011 •
Massachusetts Vendor Fee Dropped July 1
Comm-PASS
As part of Governor Deval Patrick’s reforms for small businesses operating in the state, starting July 1 the Operational Services Division will no longer charge the annual $275 fee for businesses participating in the Commonwealth’s Procurement Access and Solicitation System (Comm-PASS). The state is also eliminating the fee it charges businesses to shop for health care under the independent state agency Commonwealth Choice. Another announced reform increases the upper threshold of Massachusetts’s preferential small procurement competitive bidding range from $50,000 to $150,000.
Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez said the reforms are focused on “creating opportunities for small businesses, creating jobs for our residents, and containing health care costs so businesses can survive and thrive.”
Photo of Governor Devol Patrick by Scott LaPierre on Wikipedia.
May 31, 2011 •
Texas Legislature Adjourns, But Special Session Called
The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die on Monday, May 30, 2011.
However, the Legislature was immediately called into special session by Governor Rick Perry due to the failed effort to finalize the state budget.
The special session is set to begin Tuesday, May 31, and cannot last longer than 30 days.
Other items are expected to be added to the special session’s agenda.
Photo of the Texas State Capitol by Kumar Appaiah on Wikipedia.
May 26, 2011 •
Washington Legislature’s Special Session Adjourns
Comes after passage of state budget.
The first special session of the 2011 Washington Legislature adjourned on May 25, 2011.
The 30 day session was called by Governor Gregoire after lawmakers failed to finish a budget and address spending matters before the conclusion of the regular session.
The special session adjourned after the passage of a state budget that includes billions in spending reductions with no increase in taxes.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol interior by Cacophony on Wikipedia.
May 26, 2011 •
Kansas Governor Signs Elections Law
New Law Changes Political Committee Requirements
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has signed House Bill 2080 into law. This bill requires every treasurer for a political committee to report the name and address of each candidate for whom an in-kind expenditure in the aggregate of $300 or more has been made. The political committee treasurer must also report the services or products provided, as well as the amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure.
A second provision in the bill requires political committee treasurers to report the name and address of each candidate for state and local office who is the subject of an expenditure, made without the cooperation or consent of the candidate or the candidate’s committee, expressly advocating the nomination, election, or defeat of such candidate, in the aggregate amount or fair market value of $300 or more.
May 26, 2011 •
Illinois Grants One-Time Reporting Amnesty
An exception is made for political committees.
Effective January 1, 2011, political committees were required to file a quarterly report for the first time.
Due to a large number of non-filings by committees required to file this report, the Illinois Board of Elections is granting a one-time amnesty from civil penalty to any political committee that files their quarterly report on or before June 11, 2011.
Failure to report by June 11, 2011 will result in a formal complaint filed against the committee and civil penalties of up to $5,000.
May 25, 2011 •
Governor Appoints New Commissioner of Political Practices
The appointment requires Senate confirmation.
Governor Brian Schweitzer has appointed Dave Gallik to serve as Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices.
Gallik previously worked as Staff Attorney for the Montana State Insurance Commissioner and served for several years in the Montana House of Representatives.
The Commissioner of Political Practices is appointed to serve one six-year term and requires Senate confirmation.
Photo of the Montana State Capitol courtesy of Galaksiafervojo on Wikipedia.
May 25, 2011 •
New Pay-to-Play Ordinance for Newark
Redevelopers Defined
Mayor Corey A. Booker has signed a new pay-to-play ordinance into law, specifically aimed at city redevelopers. The new ordinance bars redevelopers from contracting with the city if a contribution, or pledge of a contribution, over $300 has been made one year prior to the contract.
Redeveloper is defined to mean any person or entity entering into a contract with the city, or with another redeveloper, for the rehabilitation of any area in the city. The definition includes those with a 10-percent or greater ownership in the entity, partners, officers, subsidiaries, and spouses and adult children living at home.
Any group of individuals from the contracting entity cannot contribute in the aggregate in excess of $3,000. Contribution and disclosure requirements will also be required from lobbyists, professionals, and consultants working for a redeveloper if his or her work relates to the subject contract. A redeveloper who violates the ordinance is barred from future redevelopment agreements for four calendar years.
The ordinance takes effect June 2nd.
Photo of Newark at night by Jamaalcobbs at en.wikipedia.
May 24, 2011 •
Alabama Ethics Commission Gains Funding Guarantee
Governor signs bill providing $1.8 million.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has signed a bill that guarantees future funding for the Alabama Ethics Commission.
The new law appropriates one tenth of one percent of the state’s general fund budget to the ethics commission. Under the current proposed budget, this appropriation represents approximately $1.8 million dollars.
The appropriation provision in the new law can only be modified by a two-thirds vote of the Alabama House and Senate.
May 24, 2011 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns
A special session will be necessary.
The regular session of the Minnesota Legislature adjourned the evening of May 23, 2011.
A special session will be necessary to avoid a state government shutdown at the end of June, as no budget compromise was reached during the regular session.
The Governor has until June 6, 2011 to act on bills passed by the Legislature.
Photo of the Minnesota State Capitol dome by Mulad on Wikipedia.
May 24, 2011 •
Governor Deal’s Veto Deals “Flush” to SB 163; General Assembly Seeking “Full House” to Override
Campaign Communications Disclosure Bill Vetoed by Governor Nathan Deal in Georgia
A bill concerning campaign communication disclosures has been vetoed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. Citing to potential vagueness associated with the bill’s provisions and First Amendment concerns, Deal vetoed Senate Bill 163.
The General Assembly will now have to muster the support to override the veto if the measure is to become law.
Senate Bill 163 would require a clear statement on all campaign communications concerning the source of payment financing the item or items used in the communication, as well as requiring specific disclosures depending on the person or persons financing the communication.
May 23, 2011 •
Governor Martinez Signs Executive Orders to Improve Procurement Process
Orders Aim to Make Procurement More Ethical and Efficient
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez has signed two executive orders that seek to improve the procurement process in New Mexico.
Executive Order 2011-030 authorizes the suspension or debarment of businesses for conviction of fraud, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification, destruction of records, receiving stolen property, antitrust violations, willful failure to perform in accordance with contracts, and any other cause occurring within the preceding three years of a procurement which the state purchasing agent or a central purchasing office determines to be so serious and compelling as to affect responsibility as a contractor.
Executive Order 2011-031 created the Governor’s Task Force on Procurement Reform to review and update the current statutory and regulatory Procurement Code and to increase transparency and efficiency in the procurement process.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.