The anticipated start date of April 7, 2020, for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island has been postponed until a date to be determined due to the coronavirus pandemic. Speaker Colin LaVie suspended the Spring Sitting of the Legislature […]
The anticipated start date of April 7, 2020, for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island has been postponed until a date to be determined due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaker Colin LaVie suspended the Spring Sitting of the Legislature based on recommendations of the province’s chief public health officer.
LaVie intends to call the legislature into session after consultation with the other parliamentary leaders as the situation evolves.
March 31, 2020 •
British Columbia Legislative Committees Videoconferencing
As of March 30, committees of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, such as the Public Account Committee, continue to meet using videoconferencing. Some of the committee videoconferencing is available for the public to view live on the Assembly’s website. […]
As of March 30, committees of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, such as the Public Account Committee, continue to meet using videoconferencing.
Some of the committee videoconferencing is available for the public to view live on the Assembly’s website.
On March 23, lawmakers had adjourned their Spring Session to a date they have not yet determined.
Legislators will reconvene at their physical legislative building when the Speaker of the House, after consultation with the government, determines the public interest requires it or when advised by the government.
March 31, 2020 •
Yukon Legislature to Convene October 1
On October 1, the Yukon Legislative Assembly is scheduled to convene, having recessed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. On March 19, the legislature adjourned its Spring Session earlier than the scheduled April 16 end-of-session date, while still staying late […]
On October 1, the Yukon Legislative Assembly is scheduled to convene, having recessed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
On March 19, the legislature adjourned its Spring Session earlier than the scheduled April 16 end-of-session date, while still staying late on its last day to complete consideration of Bill No. 203, a fiscal appropriation act for the territory.
“These are unusual times that call for unusual measures,” said Speaker Hon. Nils Clarke said in his press release.
March 31, 2020 •
New York JCOPE Suspends Lobbying Random Audit Program
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced the suspension of the Lobbying Random Audit Program to avoid unnecessary administrative burden during the COVID-19 emergency. Effective immediately, no new audits will be initiated by JCOPE until further notice. Complying with ongoing […]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced the suspension of the Lobbying Random Audit Program to avoid unnecessary administrative burden during the COVID-19 emergency.
Effective immediately, no new audits will be initiated by JCOPE until further notice.
Complying with ongoing audits is voluntary until the commission resumes the audit program.
Any questions regarding this policy should be emailed to helpdesk@jcope.ny.gov, with ‘Audit’ in the subject line.
March 31, 2020 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Washington: “U.S. Supreme Court Won’t Hear Challenge to Seattle’s ‘Democracy Vouchers’” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times Elections New York: “New York Delays Presidential Primary, Special Election to June” by Bridget Bowman for Roll Call Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Moves […]
Campaign Finance
Washington: “U.S. Supreme Court Won’t Hear Challenge to Seattle’s ‘Democracy Vouchers’” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times
Elections
New York: “New York Delays Presidential Primary, Special Election to June” by Bridget Bowman for Roll Call
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Moves Primaries to June 2 Amid Coronavirus Pandemic” by Bridget Bowman for Roll Call
Ethics
National: “A History of the Trump War on Media – the Obsession Not Even Coronavirus Could Stop” by Manuel Roig-Franzia and Sarah Ellison for Washington Post
National: “Justice Department Reviews Stock Trades by Lawmakers After Coronavirus Briefings” by David Shortell, Evan Perez, Jeremy Herb, and Kara Scannell for CNN
Lobbying
National: “Forget Washington – Corporate America Is Focused on Governors Right Now” by Sam Sutton for Politico
March 30, 2020 •
New York JCOPE Announces Extension And Temporary Procedures
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced a deadline extension for all lobbying filings until April 15. The extension includes bimonthly reports covering activity for the reporting period of January to February 2020. JCOPE also […]
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics announced a deadline extension for all lobbying filings until April 15.
The extension includes bimonthly reports covering activity for the reporting period of January to February 2020.
JCOPE also announced temporary procedures regarding hand delivery of report filings and checks.
Until further notice, visitors are not allowed into the JCOPE offices. Beginning April 15, JCOPE will accept hand delivery of lobbying filings.
However, the commission is not accepting hand delivery of checks until further notice.
Instead, any checks should be submitted either by mail or by submitting the filing through the online Lobbying Application using a credit card to pay the submission fee.
If neither option is possible, JCOPE asks filers to hold all checks for hand delivery until further notice.
March 30, 2020 •
New Hampshire Legislature Suspends Legislative Session
State Senate President Donna Soucy and Speaker of the House Stephen Shurtleff announced the General Court has extended the suspension of all legislative activities through May 4. During this time, the State House is closed to legislative members, legislative staff, […]
State Senate President Donna Soucy and Speaker of the House Stephen Shurtleff announced the General Court has extended the suspension of all legislative activities through May 4.
During this time, the State House is closed to legislative members, legislative staff, and visitors.
The announcement is in conjunction with Governor Chris Sununu’s emergency stay-at-home order due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
March 30, 2020 •
Michigan Encourages Absentee Voting in May 5 Elections
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-27 on March 29 suspending rules under Michigan election law for elections on May 5. Additionally, the Governor instructed local clerks, county clerks, and election administrators to immediately begin preparations to conduct the election […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-27 on March 29 suspending rules under Michigan election law for elections on May 5.
Additionally, the Governor instructed local clerks, county clerks, and election administrators to immediately begin preparations to conduct the election primarily by mail.
The Department of State may assist with the mailing of absent voter ballot applications and preparation of postage-prepaid absent voter ballot return envelopes for the return of voted ballots.
Gov. Whitmer is encouraging all voters to vote by absentee ballot.
However, each jurisdiction must maintain at least one location on election day where any voter can appear in-person to receive and submit a ballot.
The Election Commission has suspended the normal requirements for absentee balloting in the June 2 presidential and state primary elections. Gov. Eric Holcomb postponed the presidential and state primary elections to June 2 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Indiana Election […]
The Election Commission has suspended the normal requirements for absentee balloting in the June 2 presidential and state primary elections.
Gov. Eric Holcomb postponed the presidential and state primary elections to June 2 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Indiana Election Commission Order 2020-37 authorizes the temporary suspension of the state’s statutory absentee voting eligibility requirements.
This will allow all voters to cast their ballots by mail.
March 30, 2020 •
South Dakota Considering Postponing Elections
Due to growing concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers will consider a bill to postpone upcoming municipal elections at least until June. Additionally, lawmakers will consider allowing Gov. Kristi Noem to delay the presidential primary from June 2 to […]
Due to growing concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers will consider a bill to postpone upcoming municipal elections at least until June.
Additionally, lawmakers will consider allowing Gov. Kristi Noem to delay the presidential primary from June 2 to July 28.
The elections bill is one of at least nine last-minute bills related to COVID-19 to be considered on the last working day of the 2020 legislative session.
Lawmakers are expected to discuss and vote on bills remotely without gathering in Pierre.
March 30, 2020 •
Mississippi Legislature Delays Reconvening Session
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn have agreed to delay reconvening the 2020 legislative session. Pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 65, the Legislature will not convene on April 1 as initial scheduled. Instead, the Legislature […]
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn have agreed to delay reconvening the 2020 legislative session.
Pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 65, the Legislature will not convene on April 1 as initial scheduled.
Instead, the Legislature will reconvene on an unspecified date in the future, due to concerns about COVID-19.
The session, when reconvened, is not to exceed the limit of 125 days allotted for by the Mississippi Constitution.
March 30, 2020 •
Hawaii Ethics Commission Issues Lobbyist Filing Extension
In response to COVID-19, the Hawaii State Ethics Commission issued an order. The order extends the deadline for lobbyist and employer activity reports to April 30. Originally, the reports were scheduled to be due on March 31 for the reporting […]
In response to COVID-19, the Hawaii State Ethics Commission issued an order.
The order extends the deadline for lobbyist and employer activity reports to April 30.
Originally, the reports were scheduled to be due on March 31 for the reporting period of January 1 to February 29.
If, as expected, the various state or county stay-at-home orders are still in place near the end of April, those deadlines will be extended again to May 31.
March 30, 2020 •
New York Governor Reschedules April 28 Elections
On March 28, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.12 to move elections scheduled for April 28 to June 23 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The postponement affects the presidential primary and special elections including: The 37th Congressional […]
On March 28, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.12 to move elections scheduled for April 28 to June 23 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The postponement affects the presidential primary and special elections including:
- The 37th Congressional District
- The 50th Senate District
- The 12th, 31st, and 136th Assembly Districts
The executive order also reschedules a special election for Brooklyn City Council 37th District to June 23.
March 30, 2020 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: “Watchdog Calls for Investigation into Mississippi Congressman’s Campaign Spending” by Karl Evers-Hillstrom for Center for Responsive Politics Elections National: “Bernie Sanders Says He’s Staying in the Presidential Race. Many Democrats Fear a Reprise of Their 2016 Defeat.” […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Watchdog Calls for Investigation into Mississippi Congressman’s Campaign Spending” by Karl Evers-Hillstrom for Center for Responsive Politics
Elections
National: “Bernie Sanders Says He’s Staying in the Presidential Race. Many Democrats Fear a Reprise of Their 2016 Defeat.” by Sean Sullivan, Michael Scherer, and David Weigel for Washington Post
Ethics
California: “Former L.A. Councilman Mitchell Englander to Plead Guilty in Corruption Case” by David Zahniser, Dakota Smith, and Joel Rubin for Los Angeles Times
Massachusetts: “Sen. Dean Tran Stripped of Leadership Position After Committee Report Says He Used Public Staff for Campaign Work” by Steph Solis for MassLive.com
Lobbying
National: “The Race for Virus Money Is On. Lobbyists Are Standing By.” by Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for MSN
National: “Campaigns Hit Up Lobbyists for Cash with In-Person Events Ending” by Megan Wilson for Bloomberg Government
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