Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced a special election to be held on March 23 for the 38^th Senate District.

The seat was previously held by Sen. A. Benton Chafin, Jr. who passed away January 1.

The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office has increased contribution limits for the 2021-2022 election cycle.

Effective January 1, an individual may not contribute more than $5,300 per election cycle to a candidate committee for statewide office and legislative office. Additionally, an individual may not contribute more than $6,550 per election cycle to a candidate committee for district office, county office, town office, and city office.

Contribution limits for PACs have also increased. A PAC without Mega PAC status may not contribute more than $5,300 per election cycle to a candidate for statewide office. In contrast, a PAC with Mega PAC status may contribute $10,600 per election cycle to candidates for statewide and legislative office and $13,100 per election cycle to candidates for county, city, town, or district office.

A special election for April 13 has been set to fill a vacancy in New Hampshire House District Hillsborough 21.

The primary is scheduled for February 23, but may serve as the general election if no primary is required.

The filing deadline for candidates is January 15.

The Colorado Legislature will convene for the 2021 regular session on January 13.

However, it is expected to pause soon after until February 16 due to growing COVID-19 concerns in the state.

Lawmakers will convene to address urgent business, including swearing in new members, as quickly as possible before temporarily pausing the session.

The tentative plan is to resume February 16 when leaders hope the peak of the pandemic will have subsided. However, work may resume earlier if there is an emergency that requires immediate attention.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

On January 11, the Federal Election Commission’s published its civil monetary penalty amounts adjusted for inflation in the Federal Register.

The potential fine for civil violations of federal campaign finance laws have increased to range from $6,141 to $71,812, from the previous range of $6,069 to $70,973. The amounts are calculated through a statutory formula applying the most recent “cost-of-living adjustment multiplier,” issued by the Office of Management and Budget, to the current amounts.

The amended civil monetary penalties took effect as of January 11, the publication date.

A special election for Iowa Senate District 41 is scheduled for January 26.

Gov. Kim Reynolds called the special election to fill the vacancy left by newly elected Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who stepped down last month.

Following a recount, Miller-Meeks was certified by Iowa as the winner by six votes out of nearly 400,000.

The election result, however, is being contested by her Democratic opponent, Rita Hart.

A spokesman for Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats will provisionally seat Miller-Meeks pending the outcome of the challenge.

The House can later decide Hart won the race and should replace Miller-Meeks.

Hart’s contest argues at least 22 lawfully cast votes, including 18 for her, were wrongly excluded due to a variety of errors.

The Associated Press has not called a winner in this race.

Campaign Finance

National: “U.S. Campaign Finance System Rocked as Major Firms Pause or Halt Political Contributions After Election Results Challenged” by Todd Frankel, Jeff Stein, and Tony Romm (Washington Post) for Seattle Times

Utah: “Tribune Analysis: Utah lawmakers spend unlimited amounts in campaign cash – sometimes in violation of state law” by Taylor Stevens and Bethany Rodgers (Salt Lake Tribune) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Dems Prep ‘Incitement of Insurrection’ Charge against Trump” by Lisa Mascaro, Bill Barrow, and Mary Clare Jalonick for Associated Press News

Kansas: “Wichita City Council Plans to Tackle Ethics Reform Following Clendenin Resignation” by Chance Swaim for Wichita Eagle

South Dakota: “City Insurance Now Covers Legal Defense If Mayor, Councilors Face Ethics Violation” by Trevor Mitchell (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) for MSN

Tennessee: “Tennessee House Speaker on FBI Raid: Those subject to search warrants on ‘administrative leave’” by Natalie Allison (Tennessean) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “As Biden Raises Money for His Virtual Inauguration, Lobbyists Prepare for a Scaled-Down Schmooze-Fest” by Fredreka Schouten for CNN

Minnesota: “State Board Proposals Would Change How Lobbying Activities Are Reported in Minnesota” by Peter Callaghan for Minnesota Post

Oklahoma: “Former Stitt Staffer Lobbying for Company Bidding on State Medicaid Contract” by Carmen Forman for The Oklahoman

The Illinois Legislature began a final session for the 101st General Assembly on January 8.

The Senate met at the Capitol while the House met at the Bank of Springfield Center.

The separate meeting locations accommodated social distancing due to COVID-19 concerns.

Rep. Patrick Windhorst indicated if ethics reforms were not addressed, he would refile a proposal for the 102nd General Assembly, set to convene January 13.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan announced he is suspending his bid for another term as speaker, but is not withdrawing from the race.

A speaker must be elected before the House of Representatives can begin work.

A bill prohibiting corporate campaign contributions has been introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates.

House Bill 1906 would not only prohibit direct contributions to candidates and committees but also prohibit indirect contributions.

This would include designated contributions or contributions directed through another person or committee.

The proposed bill includes a civil penalty of up to twice the amount of the prohibited contributions.

Another new batch of states are going in session this week! Are you ready?

1. Arizona
2. Arkansas
3. California
4. Colorado
5. Delaware
6. Georgia
7. Idaho
8. Illinois
9. Iowa
10. Maryland
11. Michigan
12. New Jersey
13. South Carolina
14. South Dakota
15. Tennessee
16. Texas
17. Virginia
18. Washington
19. West Virginia
20. Wisconsin
21. Wyoming

It’s another big week in a busy legislative year. Stay in touch with lobbycomply.com to see when the other starts will convene.

Del. Derrick Evans has announced his resignation from the West Virginia Legislature.

This comes after being arrested and charged for his part in storming the U.S. Capitol Building.

Evans was set to serve his first term as delegate for West Virginia’s 19^th House District after winning the seat in November.

Gov. Jim Justice is expected to appoint a replacement for Evans in the coming weeks.

Campaign Finance

Georgia: “Atlanta Mayor Fined $37,000 for Campaign Finance Violations During 2017 Mayor’s Race” by Staff for WSB

Ohio: “FirstEnergy Cash Comprised Big Chunk of Donations to Dark Money Outfits Backing DeWine and His Daughter, Documents Show” by Jessie Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) for MSN

Washington: “‘He’s Been Fibbing for 20 Years’: Tim Eyman trial approaches conclusion, state alleges years of schemes” by David Gutman for Seattle Times

Elections

National: “Trump Says He Won’t Attend Biden’s Inauguration” by Quint Forgey for Politico

Georgia: “‘Find the Fraud’: Trump pressured a Georgia elections investigator in a separate call legal experts say could amount to obstruction” by Amy Gardner (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Twitter Bans Trump’s Account, Citing Risk of Further Violence” by Nitasha Tiku, Tony Romm, and Craig Timberg (Washington Post) for MSN

California: “Downtown Developer Will Pay $1.2 Million in L.A. City Hall Corruption Case” by David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “K Street Adjusts for Democratic Senate” by Kate Ackley (Roll Call) for MSN

Procurement

Iowa: “Iowa Governor, Ades Appear in PR Video for No-Bid Vendor” by Ryan Foley (Associated Press) for MSN

The North Dakota Legislature convened January 5 for the 2021 session with improvements to live streaming and remote technology, making remote testimony by the public possible.

Committee meetings and floor sessions will be carried live.

House and Senate floor sessions have been live-streamed, archived, and indexed online.

Anyone wishing to testify remotely must register online.

In-person testimony may be permitted by the committee chair, although committee rooms will have limited seating due to social distancing, and masks are required.

State lawmakers may participate remotely from home if infected, or from office space in the Capitol if desired.

While some lobbyists have indicated they may testify remotely, no lawmakers have indicated an intent to work remotely.

Elections Canada has published the federal contribution limits for the 2021 calendar year.

In 2021, individuals may contribute up to $1,650 to independent candidates, leadership candidates, registered parties, and to, in total, all of the registered associations, nomination contestants and candidates of each registered party.

The limits also apply to any unpaid balance of loans made during a contribution period and the amount of any loan guarantees made during a contribution period.

The limits increase annually by $25 on January 1.