Even with the Capitol closed and the legislative session suspended, Colorado lawmakers are working behind the scenes to craft legislation addressing COVID-19.

Lawmakers are considering a pay hike for Colorado National Guard members activated in response to the spread of the virus.

The Democratic majority in the House plans to prioritize continued downpayment of the debt owed to school districts.

Other conversations include how to provide immediate relief to businesses.

Industries eligible for relief include the retail and restaurant sectors, where most of the layoffs are occurring.

While the General Assembly temporarily recessed the legislative session to March 30, it is becoming increasingly unlikely the term will resume on that date.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation on March 18 allowing local governments the option to postpone the May 2 uniform election until November 3.

If a local election is postponed until November, it will postpone Texas Ethics Commission filing deadlines associated with that election.

However, if a political subdivision opts to hold local elections on May 2, the deadlines for campaign finance reports filed by candidates, officeholders, and PACs for races or measures on the May 2 ballots remain the same.

The Texas Ethics Commission does not have the statutory authority to extend these types of filing deadlines.

The 30-day pre-election report for the May 2 uniform election is due by April 2.

The eight-day pre-election report is due by April 24.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the New York City Office of the City Clerk has announced an extension for the lobbyist activity report.

The current report covers the period of January to February.

The lobbyist activity report is now due on March 31.

At 1:00 p.m. on March 19, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario will meet in an emergency sitting to address the coronavirus pandemic.

The parliament is on a scheduled recess but is meeting to try and pass legislation related to dealing with the COVID-19 virus.

Following Ontario health officials’ recommendations of social distancing, lawmakers are planning on only 24 of the 124 members to actually be present in the legislative building, according to iPolitics.

After shortening the session, the General Assembly managed to pass over 650 bills in three days before adjourning sine die on Wednesday March 18.

Among the passed legislation is House Bill 315, which increases penalties for bribery and extends revolving door restrictions.

House Bill 315 and other passed bills will now go to Gov. Larry Hogan who can sign, veto, or let them become law without his signature.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

The Legislature passed a concurrent resolution to provide for an extended adjournment of the 2020 regular session of the 88th General Assembly.

The extended adjournment is due to public health concerns over COVID-19.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 102 provides upon the adjournment of the House of Representatives and the Senate on March 16, both houses will remain adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on April 15.

The Legislative Council may shorten or further extend the adjournment if deemed necessary.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting dates .

Campaign Finance

National: “Fundraisers Shifting Strategies to Cope with Coronavirus Pandemic” by Sean Miller for Campaigns and Elections

National: “At Party for Donald Trump Jr.’s Girlfriend, Donors Helped Pick Up the Tab” by Kenneth Vogel, Steve Eder, and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Hawaii: “This Hawaii Defense Contractor Has Emerged as a Major Political Player” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

National: “Biden Notches 3 More Victories; Sanders Reassessing Campaign” by Will Weissert and Brian Slodysko for AP News

Alabama: “Alabama Governor Postpones Runoffs, Prolonging Sessions-Tuberville Battle” by Bridget Bowman for Roll Call

Ethics

National: “DOJ Memo Shows Clinton, Obama, and Trump Donor’s Shady Foreign Campaign Finance Schemes” by Jwerry Dunleavy for Washington Examiner

Maryland: “Senate Confirms Nominees to Overhauled University of Maryland Medical System Board After Self-Dealing Scandal” by Luke Broadwater for Baltimore Sun

Lobbying

Europe: “Coronavirus Forces Brussels Lobbying to Go Digital” by Cristina Gonzales for Politico

National: “Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy” by Mike Gallagher for Albuquerque Journal

The Board of Ethics is delaying implementation of Ethics Ordinance 2019-5305, previously set for April 20 to July 1.

The ordinance imposes new registration and reporting requirements on certain nonprofit interactions with the city.

Steven Berlin, Executive Director for the Chicago Board of Ethics, explained as the city and groups around Chicago work to respond to COVID-19, delaying enforcement until the third quarter is appropriate.

Advisory Opinion Case No. 202012.Q was issued to provide guidance regarding gifts and services to aid the city in its official response to COVID-19.

The Board of Ethics also canceled the two remaining prescheduled March in-person ethics training seminars for March 17 and March 26.

Berlin indicated the training will be posted online as soon as possible and the completion deadline will be extended accordingly.

The quarterly activity reporting deadlines of April 20 and July 20 remain in effect.

Alabama officials held a press conference announcing the March 31 runoff election will be postponed until July 14.

The press conference was held by Gov. Kay Ivey, Secretary of State John H. Merrill, and Attorney General Steve Marshall.

Merrill believes this new date will allow for the electoral process to continue in a normal manner.

He also says the delay will allow all local election officials the time to assess and evaluate the changes needed to ensure the runoff election is administered according to plan.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin Mayor Steve Adler signed an emergency order on March 17.

The order suspends all deadlines imposed by city code, ordinance, rule, or other regulation until May 1.

Under Section 7 of the order, the deadline for all lobbyist quarterly activity reports has been extended to May 1.

No late fees will be accrued for failure to file prior to May 1.

The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on March 17 due to concerns with COVID-19.

Before adjournment, lawmakers were able to pass a supplemental budget with provisions in response to the coronavirus.

During the shortened legislative session, lawmakers also passed Legislative Document 1867.

Legislative Document 1867 amends lobbyist reporting requirements and an expands sexual harassment training.

A registered lobbyist is required to file monthly reports beginning the month they register through the lobbying year.

However, after the legislative session is concluded, if the lobbyist anticipates no further lobbying for a client, the lobbyist may file a request for a non-session waiver with their final monthly report for the session.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Hawaii State Ethics Commission has postponed its public hearing on proposed administrative rules concerning amendments to state lobbying and gift laws scheduled for March 19.

While a new date has not been established, the ethics commission indicated the public hearing will likely take place in early May.

The proposals include:

• • Clarifications as to what activities constitute lobbying
  • Exclusions from lobbyist registration requirements
  • Requirements that expenditures be reported on an accrual rather than cash basis

Additionally, the proposals amend prohibitions on certain kinds of gifts, valuation of gifts, and gift disclosure statements.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared a public health disaster emergency in the state.

People are encouraged to practice social distancing and avoid large crowds if possible, especially if they are elderly or have underlying health conditions.

Access to the Capitol is limited to lawmakers, employees of the Legislature, members of the governor’s administration, and credentialed journalists.

Lawmakers voted to approve $4.1 million of funding to respond to the coronavirus.

The regular session will adjourn if five or more legislators contract the virus.

The offices of the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) will be closed to walk-in traffic until further notice.

This comes in recognition of state and federal calls for social distancing and to protect the public and its employees.

APOC offices will remain staffed and continue to serve the public and respond through alternative forms of contact including mail, email, fax, and telephone, during its normal business hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.