The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) encourages filers who have access to an electronic Form 700 filing system to take advantage of its use.

This comes in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests filing deadline on April 1, 2020.

If electronic filing is not available, filers are strongly encouraged to submit forms by mail rather than in person.

Statements postmarked on or before the filing deadline are considered timely filed.

The FPPC’s advice telephone line is closed until further notice.

However, they continue to timely respond to requests for advice via email.

The California Legislature voted to suspend its 2020 session for nearly a month in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Lawmakers Monday night voted unanimously to recess from March 20 until April 13, though the date is subject to change.

The Legislature passed a relief package that sends $1.1 billion in support to hospitals, facilities, local governments and schools to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

On March 19, the Senate will convene a voting session regarding emergency bills to address COVID-19.

All other Senate and Assembly committee meetings and sessions that scheduled for the month of March have been cancelled.

These actions do not affect lobbyist reporting.

The 2020 budget session of the Wyoming Legislature adjourned sine die on March 13 after 24 days in session.

The session lasted an extra four days this year because of a decision made by lawmakers last year.

During the session, legislators passed a bill expanding limitations on campaign contributions.

Senate File 20 expands limitations on campaign contributions from organizations to include a candidate’s campaign committee or any political party or political action committee that directly coordinates with a candidate or a candidate’s campaign committee.

The bill becomes effective July 1, 2020, and does not affect lobbyist reporting.

The Legislature has announced the legislative session will be suspended.

The Senate met March 18 to pass House Bill 1647.

House Bill 1647 provides administrative leave to local government and school district employees in response to the effects of COVID-19.

The Senate also agreed to House Concurrent Resolution 65, suspending the session until April 1.

The resolution also extended the legislative session until June 9 and provided for a potential further extension until July 9.

The additional extension is needed if the Legislature is unable to reconvene in time for the June 9 deadline.

This does affect lobbyist reporting.

The end of session report due 10 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die will now be due on June 19 unless an additional extension of the session occurs.

Due to COVID-19, the New Hampshire General Court has suspended all legislative activities through April 10.

During this time, the State House will be closed to legislative members, legislative staff, and visitors.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

On March 11, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey permanently enjoined the state from enforcing Senate Bill 150.

The bill was signed by the governor last June and was scheduled to take effect on October 15, 2019.

The dark money bill required independent expenditure committees to report contributions in excess of $10,000.

Additionally, the bill required reporting of expenditures in excess of $3,000 to the Election Law Enforcement Commission.

The order does not prevent the Legislature to revisit the issue with new legislation.

Mayor London N. Breed announced the Health Officer of the City and County of San Francisco has issued a Public Health Order.

This order requires residents to remain in place, with the only exception being for essential needs.

This measure is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Public Health Order is effective as of midnight on Tuesday, March 17 until April 7, unless amended or extended.

The physical offices of the ethics commission will be closed for the duration of the Public Health Order until April 7, unless otherwise noticed.

The regular monthly meeting scheduled for Friday, March 20, has been canceled.

However, the ethics commission remains open for business through its telework policy and technology.

Staff will continue to assist with filing guidance, online disclosure tools and resources, advice, and compliance assistance, among its other duties.

Filing deadlines established by law applying during this period remain in effect and have not been extended.

This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

Oregon Legislatures called for a special legislative session to address the impact COVID-19 is having on the state.

The special session will convene when the Legislature has an emergency response package ready for consideration.

The Legislature’s Special Joint Committee on Coronavirus Response is scheduled to hold its first meeting Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m.

This will not affect any lobbyist reporting.

The Puerto Rico Democratic presidential primary and special election to fill the seat of former Sen. Larry Seilhamer Rodriguez will be postponed.

The elections will be postponed until April 26 in response to concerns of COVID-19.

Rodriguez resigned from Senate District 5 effective January 15, citing his desire to spend more time with family.

If the emergency caused by COVID-19 continues until April 26, the president of the State Election Commission and the president of the Democratic Party in Puerto Rico may choose an alternate date.

The Wyoming Democratic Party has canceled all county conventions and the in-person portion of its upcoming caucus.

The party has taken the precautions over increasing concerns around the coronavirus outbreak.

The events to assign Wyoming’s 13 pledged delegates, scheduled for April 4, will now be handled exclusively through the mail.

Voters can still drop their ballots off in person at one of the party’s dozens of collection spots around the state.

Voters can drop off their ballots on March 28 and April 4, and have them postmarked by March 20.

The change is not anticipated to interfere with any of the traditional functions of the caucus itself.

However, county delegates to the state convention, normally selected in person, could be elected by other means, pending approval by the Democratic National Committee.

As of now, the June 6 state convention in Powell is on schedule.

Campaign Finance

National: “Former Rep. Duncan Hunter Gets 11 Months in Prison for Campaign Finance Violations” by Morgan Cook and Greg Moran (San Diego Union-Tribune) for Los AngelesTimes

California: “‘Team Newport’ Pays $27,000 to Settle with State Over Allegations of Campaign Finance Disclosure Violations” by Hillary Davis for Los Angeles Times

New Jersey: “Controversial N.J. Law to Unmask Secret Campaign Donors Is Officially Dead” by Brent Johnson and Ted Sherman (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star Ledger

Elections

National: “Biden’s Promise to Choose a Woman Veep Reignites Hopes of a Female President” by Annie Linsky (Washington Post) for MSN

Maryland: “Maryland Postpones Primary, Shifts Special Election to Mail Voting Over Coronavirus” by Alice Miranda Ollstein and Zach Montellaro for Politico

Ohio: “Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s Move to Close Primary Polls Due to Coronavirus Spawns Confusion, Criticism” by Timothy Bella for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “Justice Dept. Moves to Drop Charges Against Russian Firms Filed by Mueller” by Katie Benner and Sharon LaFraniere (New York Times) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “K Street Looks to Ride Coronavirus Relief Efforts” by Theodoric Meyer for Politico

The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories have recessed the winter legislative session.

The Assembly will be on recess until May 26 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The legislature was recalled early from a one-week recess, met on March 16, and decided to adjourn until May.

This will allow the cabinet and lawmakers to focus efforts on addressing the spread of the virus.

While the cabinet will continue to meet during the recess, members of the Legislative Assembly will return to their respective constituencies.

The Georgia General Assembly convened special session called by Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday, March 16 to adopt his declaration of a public health emergency.

After passing a joint resolution concurring with Gov. Kemp’s declaration, the General Assembly adjourned the special session, sine die.

Therefore, the regular session remains suspended indefinitely.

The Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission is expected to issue guidance as to whether this will affect lobbyist dates reporting.