July 7, 2021 •
Minnesota Amends Campaign Finance Laws
![Minnesota Amends Campaign Finance Laws](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1024px-Lt._Governor_Peggy_Flanagan_and_Governor_Tim_Walz_at_inauguration_ceremonies_at_the_Fitzgerald_Theater_in_St_Paul_Minnesota-1000x563.jpg)
Gov Tim Walz, with Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan - by Lorie Shaull
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed House File 1952 amending campaign finance disclosure laws by requiring reporting of contributions, campaign expenditures and independent expenditures made to certain local candidates or ballot issues. The bill defines local candidate as an individual who […]
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed House File 1952 amending campaign finance disclosure laws by requiring reporting of contributions, campaign expenditures and independent expenditures made to certain local candidates or ballot issues.
The bill defines local candidate as an individual who seeks any county office in Hennepin County; any city office in any home rule charter city or statutory city located wholly within Hennepin County and having a population of 75,000 or more; or the school board in Special School District No. 1.
Cities included within the definition of local candidate include Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Brooklyn Park.
The bill also amends the definition of public official to include a chancellor or member of the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
The bill also amends the requirements for filing and contents of statements of economic interest.
These amendments will be effective January 1, 2022 and apply to reports and disclosures required to be filed with the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board on or after that date.
July 6, 2021 •
Connecticut Special Election Scheduled
![Connecticut Special Election Scheduled](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Connecticut_State_Capitol_Hartford-1000x563.jpg)
Connecticut State Capitol
A special election has been scheduled for August 17 by Connecticut Gov. Lamont for Senate District 36. The seat became vacant when Alex Kasser resigned in June because of stress from a long-running divorce case.
A special election has been scheduled for August 17 by Connecticut Gov. Lamont for Senate District 36.
The seat became vacant when Alex Kasser resigned in June because of stress from a long-running divorce case.
July 6, 2021 •
Hawaii Passes Bill Establishing Government Official Revolving Door Restrictions
![Hawaii Passes Bill Establishing Government Official Revolving Door Restrictions](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020_Hawaii_State_Capitol_06-1000x563.jpg)
State of Hawaii
High-ranking government officials in Hawaii will soon be subject to revolving door provisions after the passage of an ethics bills establishing clearer boundaries between government and private-sector lobbyists. House Bill 0671 creates a 12-month cooling off period before government officials […]
High-ranking government officials in Hawaii will soon be subject to revolving door provisions after the passage of an ethics bills establishing clearer boundaries between government and private-sector lobbyists.
House Bill 0671 creates a 12-month cooling off period before government officials may be paid by private parties to lobby the Legislature or administrative agencies. The revolving door restriction applies to the governor, lieutenant governor, executive department heads, legislators and permanent legislative staff, and other high-ranking paid government officials.
The bill will become effective January 1, 2022, as it was not on Gov. David Ige’s Intent to Veto list.
July 6, 2021 •
New Hampshire Governor Announces Special Election
![New Hampshire Governor Announces Special Election](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/New-Hampshire-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
New Hampshire State House - AlexiusHoratius
New Hampshire Gov. Sununu approved two special elections on June 30 to fill empty seats in Cheshire District 9 and Hillsborough District 7. If there is more than one candidate filed for either political party, the towns in that district […]
New Hampshire Gov. Sununu approved two special elections on June 30 to fill empty seats in Cheshire District 9 and Hillsborough District 7.
If there is more than one candidate filed for either political party, the towns in that district are scheduled to hold a primary election on September 7 and the general election on October 26.
If only one person from each political party files for the position, there will be no primary and the general election will proceed on September 7.
July 1, 2021 •
Missouri’s First Special Session Adjourns Sine Die
![Missouri’s First Special Session Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Missouri-Capitol-Building-976x563.jpg)
Missouri Capitol Building
The first special session of the Missouri General Assembly adjourned sine die on June 30. The special session began on June 23 and called by Gov. Mike Parson to focus on passing the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA) extension, a tax […]
The first special session of the Missouri General Assembly adjourned sine die on June 30.
The special session began on June 23 and called by Gov. Mike Parson to focus on passing the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA) extension, a tax to pay for the state’s Medicaid program.
Before adjourning lawmakers passed health care bills, including Senate Bill 1, sending to Parson the required extension of the FRA.
July 1, 2021 •
Arizona Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
![Arizona Legislature Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arizona_State_Capitol-2-1000x563.jpg)
Arizona State Capitol - by Visitor7
The Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on June 30, concluding a 171-day session that was among the longest in recent state history. Relating to campaign finance, Senate Bill 1714 passed. Effective September 28, the bill provides a person who makes an […]
The Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on June 30, concluding a 171-day session that was among the longest in recent state history.
Relating to campaign finance, Senate Bill 1714 passed. Effective September 28, the bill provides a person who makes an expenditure for an advertisement or fund-raising fundraising solicitation, other than an individual, must include in the advertisement or solicitation the aggregate percentage of out-of-state contributors as calculated at the time the advertisement was produced for publication, display, delivery, or broadcast.
The disclosure must state “paid for by” followed by ” the aggregate percentage of out-of-state contributors. If the advertisement is delivered by hand or by mail, the disclosure must be clearly readable, and if the advertisement is paid for by a political action committee, the disclosure must be displayed in a height that is at least 10% of the vertical height of the advertisement.
Several other significant issues, including the passage of sweeping tax cuts, approval for an increase in unemployment benefits starting in 2022 and criminal justice changes were also resolved by final adjournment.
The 2022 Legislature is scheduled to convene on January 10.
July 1, 2021 •
Louisiana Gift Limit to Public Officials Increases
![Louisiana Gift Limit to Public Officials Increases](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2014_Louisiana_State_Capitol-800x563.jpg)
Louisiana State Capitol
The cap for how much Louisiana’s lobbyists can spend to wine and dine public officials is edging higher July 1. With the start of the new state budget year, the limit lobbyists can spend on food and drink for state […]
The cap for how much Louisiana’s lobbyists can spend to wine and dine public officials is edging higher July 1.
With the start of the new state budget year, the limit lobbyists can spend on food and drink for state lawmakers, other elected officials and public employees is increasing from $63 to $65 per person, per occasion.
The Louisiana Board of Ethics, which oversees the lobbying spending restrictions, made the adjustment to take effect with the latest state fiscal year.
The lobbying cap enacted more than a decade ago started with a $50 limit. But the 2008 law allows annual adjustments tied to increases in the federal Consumer Price Index for food and beverages. That index rose 3.8% in the last year, according to the ethics board.
June 30, 2021 •
Hawaii Governor Calls for Special Legislative Session July 6
![Hawaii Governor Calls for Special Legislative Session July 6](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020_Hawaii_State_Capitol_06-1000x563.jpg)
State of Hawaii
Lawmakers will return to the Hawaii State Capitol on Tuesday, July 6 to consider overriding Gov. David Ige’s vetoes of measures the Legislature approved this year, and to make some necessary fixes to bills that deal with state finances. Gov. Ige said […]
Lawmakers will return to the Hawaii State Capitol on Tuesday, July 6 to consider overriding Gov. David Ige’s vetoes of measures the Legislature approved this year, and to make some necessary fixes to bills that deal with state finances.
Gov. Ige said he intends to veto 28 bills passed by his fellow Democrats, which is an unusually high number.
The governor is not required to veto all 28 bills and still has the option of signing some of them or allowing them to become law without his signature. That makes it difficult for lawmakers to precisely plan their response, since they do not know yet which measures Gov. Ige will finally reject.
The governor has until 11:59 p.m. on July 6 to veto measures passed this spring. If he takes no action by that date, the bills will then become law with or without his signature.
Gov. Ige has also said he needs amendments to some budget bills because lawmakers specified in the budget the state must use federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to repay more than $300 million in bond debt.
The federal government does not allow the state to use pandemic relief funding to pay down debt, and lawmakers will thus need to appropriate money from other sources to cover state borrowing.
That means lawmakers must approve a fix that will ensure the state meets its debt obligations. If the governor and the Legislature can agree on language that would accomplish that, lawmakers can approve an amendment with a simple majority next month without a veto override.
The special session affects lobbyist reporting. A lobbyist and employer activity report must be filed within 30 days of adjournment sine die of any special session covering the period from May 1 through adjournment sine die of the special session. The report applies to and includes only those expenditures and contributions relating to legislative action considered during the special session. Expenditures and contributions included in the report do not need to be included by the person filing the report in any subsequent statement of expenditures.
June 29, 2021 •
Alaska Adjourns Second Special Session
![Alaska Adjourns Second Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Alaska_State_Capitol_Building-1000x563.jpg)
Alaska State Capitol Buildling - Jay Galvin
The Alaska Legislature adjourned a second special session June 28. Legislators came to an agreement changing the effective date of the state budget, allowing Alaska to avoid a government shutdown. A third special session will take place some time in […]
The Alaska Legislature adjourned a second special session June 28.
Legislators came to an agreement changing the effective date of the state budget, allowing Alaska to avoid a government shutdown.
A third special session will take place some time in August.
The monthly report for legislative lobbying during June is due by July 31.
June 29, 2021 •
Montana Judge to Block Sections of SB 319
![Montana Judge to Block Sections of SB 319](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Montana-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Montana Capitol Building - gillfoto
Montana District Court Judge Michael Menahan said he will temporarily block the implementation of two sections of Senate Bill 319. The bill was amended late, with the amendment adding the two sections in question. One amendment revised how political committees […]
Montana District Court Judge Michael Menahan said he will temporarily block the implementation of two sections of Senate Bill 319.
The bill was amended late, with the amendment adding the two sections in question.
One amendment revised how political committees could operate on college campuses.
The other amendment prohibited judges from presiding over a case if they had received campaign contributions of $91 or more from a party within a six-year timespan.
Judge Menahan intends to issue the order sometime before July 1.
June 29, 2021 •
Annapolis City Council Approves New Campaign Finance Requirements
![Annapolis City Council Approves New Campaign Finance Requirements](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Annapolis-City-Hall-1000x563.jpg)
Annapolis City Hall via Preserve Maryland
On June 28, the Annapolis City Council voted unanimously to adopt campaign finance reforms. Ordinance 15-21 requires any person making independent expenditures of $5,000 or more to register with the Board of Supervisors of Elections. Once registered, such persons are […]
On June 28, the Annapolis City Council voted unanimously to adopt campaign finance reforms.
Ordinance 15-21 requires any person making independent expenditures of $5,000 or more to register with the Board of Supervisors of Elections.
Once registered, such persons are required to file reports upon making independent expenditures of $10,000 or more.
Further, the reports must identify the person making the expenditure and any donors who have contributed $6,000 or more. Ordinance 15-21 is effective immediately.
June 28, 2021 •
Governor Recall Election to Move Forward
![Governor Recall Election to Move Forward](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Gavin-Newsom-1000x563.jpg)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced the recall campaign against Gov. Gavin Newsom had enough signatures to move forward. The recall effort was able to collect 1,719,900 signatures for the election. The election will most likely take place in […]
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced the recall campaign against Gov. Gavin Newsom had enough signatures to move forward.
The recall effort was able to collect 1,719,900 signatures for the election.
The election will most likely take place in October or November 2021.
June 28, 2021 •
Boise City Council to Vote on Geographic Districts
![Boise City Council to Vote on Geographic Districts](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Boise_Idaho-1000x563.jpg)
Boise, Idaho - by Jyoni Shuler, CC
The Boise City Council will vote on the creation of geographic districts for the November 2021 City Council elections. In 2020, Idaho lawmakers passed a bill requiring all cities with a population of more than 100,000 to create legislative districts […]
The Boise City Council will vote on the creation of geographic districts for the November 2021 City Council elections.
In 2020, Idaho lawmakers passed a bill requiring all cities with a population of more than 100,000 to create legislative districts for council elections.
Boise City Council seats 1, 3, 5 will be up for election, and elected council members will serve two-year terms.
The districts must be approved before the state-mandated deadline of 120 days before council elections.
June 28, 2021 •
Oregon Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
![Oregon Legislature Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Oregon-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
Oregon State Capitol Building
The Oregon Legislature adjourned sine die June 26 after passing a flurry of bills in the twilight hours of the 2021 legislative session. The Democratic-led Legislature passed sweeping police reform, a state budget focused on economic recovery, and bills focusing […]
The Oregon Legislature adjourned sine die June 26 after passing a flurry of bills in the twilight hours of the 2021 legislative session.
The Democratic-led Legislature passed sweeping police reform, a state budget focused on economic recovery, and bills focusing on the housing and homeless crisis occurring within the state.
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