March 13, 2020 •
Missouri Senate to Recess Over Coronavirus
Senate Majority Leader of Missouri Caleb Rowden announced, due to concerns over spreading the COVID-19 illness, the Senate will not meet next week. The legislative spring break was set to begin on March 19, meaning the Senate is not scheduled […]
Senate Majority Leader of Missouri Caleb Rowden announced, due to concerns over spreading the COVID-19 illness, the Senate will not meet next week.
The legislative spring break was set to begin on March 19, meaning the Senate is not scheduled to reconvene for the rest of the month.
The House will meet next week to work on the budget.
March 13, 2020 •
Indiana Legislature Adjourns
The second regular session of the 121st General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 12, after a 14-hour session. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed 25 of the 45 bills received in the last two days of the session. This is including […]
The second regular session of the 121st General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 12, after a 14-hour session.
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed 25 of the 45 bills received in the last two days of the session.
This is including one providing for electronic filing of campaign finance reports by candidates and committees.
Additionally, Holcomb signed a bill preventing the state and political subdivisions from contracting with a “prohibited person”.
This is officially defined as a person designated as posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks.
As a result, the remaining acts passed by the Legislature become law on the eighth day after presentment if Holcomb does not sign or veto them.
March 13, 2020 •
Louisiana Postpones Presidential Primary
Louisiana will postpone its presidential primary originally scheduled for April 4. The state is the first to do so in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Louisiana will push the election to June 20, from the planned date of April 4. […]
Louisiana will postpone its presidential primary originally scheduled for April 4.
The state is the first to do so in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Louisiana will push the election to June 20, from the planned date of April 4.
It has also delayed its municipal elections scheduled for May 9 to July 25.
States such as Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio, which hold primaries on March 17, have so far moved forward with their election events as planned.
March 13, 2020 •
Wyoming Governor Signs Procurement Bill
Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill modifying provisions related to procurement and contracting by governmental entities. House Bill 50 increases the amount to $15,000 for bids or contracts for supplies or services required to be made by competitive sealed bidding. […]
Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill modifying provisions related to procurement and contracting by governmental entities.
House Bill 50 increases the amount to $15,000 for bids or contracts for supplies or services required to be made by competitive sealed bidding.
Additionally, the bill allows an elected state official to contract for supplies or services by competitive negotiation without department approval.
This can be done when:
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- The contract is for $25,000 or less
- The elected state official determines the use of competitive sealed bidding is not feasible or practical
House Bill 50 becomes effective October 1, 2020.
On March 12, Niagara County Supreme Court Judge Boniello struck down changes to the state’s election laws recommended by the Campaign Finance Reform Commission. The commission’s recommendations included the creation of a voluntary public campaign finance system. Additionally, it recommended […]
On March 12, Niagara County Supreme Court Judge Boniello struck down changes to the state’s election laws recommended by the Campaign Finance Reform Commission.
The commission’s recommendations included the creation of a voluntary public campaign finance system.
Additionally, it recommended setting new contribution limits to candidates for state public office.
The court found the Legislature improperly delegated legislative action powers to the commission, which is a function reserved solely to the Legislature under the state’s constitution.
The court noted the recommendations of the commission did not follow proper procedure as mandated by the constitution.
Historically, this is followed by lawmakers when it became law without further action by the Legislature.
After the ruling, lawmakers may accept and pass the commission’s recommendations into law by statute.
March 13, 2020 •
Canadian Parliament to Adjourn Until At Least April 20
After completing its legislative business today, the Parliament of Canada will adjourn until at least April 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The political parties have agreed to the adjournment, according to Conservative House of Commons leader Mark Strahl. “Members […]
After completing its legislative business today, the Parliament of Canada will adjourn until at least April 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The political parties have agreed to the adjournment, according to Conservative House of Commons leader Mark Strahl.
“Members of Parliament are speaking with one voice today to say that we will do our part,” said MP Peter Julian on behalf of the New Democratic Party, according to Politico.
Additionally, on March 12, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, was diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.
Even while adjourned, the government will still have the ability to allocate federal funds to try to stem the spread of the virus.
March 13, 2020 •
Utah Legislature Adjourns, Responds to COVID-19

Utah Capitol Building - Jkinsocal
In the final hours of the legislative session ending just before midnight on March 12, lawmakers pushed through a series of measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislature extended the state of emergency for Utah to June 30, […]
In the final hours of the legislative session ending just before midnight on March 12, lawmakers pushed through a series of measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislature extended the state of emergency for Utah to June 30, and instituted a “no handshake” rule at the Capitol.
To help seniors who are highly susceptible to the novel coronavirus, $24 million was appropriated.
An additional $16 million was appropriated to the Utah Department of Health.
Finally, $4 million was passed for Utah’s Division of Emergency Management dealing with COVID-19.
Senate Majority Whip Dan Hemmert passed a resolution that allows lawmakers to meet remotely, using electronic communication methods.
House Bill 186, relating to lobbyist registration as a foreign agent, was introduced but not passed.
The bill would have required a foreign agent to register with the lieutenant governor prior to engaging in any lobbying activity.
In total, lawmakers passed 510 bills ranging from affordable housing and education to women’s rights and technology.
March 13, 2020 •
FPPC of California Creates Task Force
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) announced the formation of a Digital Transparency Task Force. The purpose of this group is to address the issues surrounding political advertising through social media and other digital outlets. The Digital Transparency Task […]
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) announced the formation of a Digital Transparency Task Force.
The purpose of this group is to address the issues surrounding political advertising through social media and other digital outlets.
The Digital Transparency Task Force will study the current landscape of these outlets.
They will also look at trends and ways to keep up with the ever-changing field, including regulations possibly needing updated, enhanced, added, or strengthened.
The FPPC created the task force to help set standards and to develop best practices for transparent digital political advertising.
They will also assist the public to easily find the information in a publicly accessible database.
March 13, 2020 •
Delaware Lawmakers Postpone Legislative Session
Due to concerns over COVID-19, the Delaware General Assembly has postponed the legislative session for one week until March 24. Lawmakers were originally expected to return next week to discuss the state budget. Starting today, the Capitol building will be […]
Due to concerns over COVID-19, the Delaware General Assembly has postponed the legislative session for one week until March 24.
Lawmakers were originally expected to return next week to discuss the state budget.
Starting today, the Capitol building will be closed to the public including tours and official meetings.
Legislators will reevaluate how to manage the rest of the legislative session on a weekly basis.
The closure does not affect any lobbyist reporting.
March 13, 2020 •
Washington Legislature Adjourns, Ups COVID-19 Funding
The 2020 session of the Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 12 after 60 days in session. Lawmakers’ final hours of work were overshadowed by the continued onslaught of COVID-19 news in the state. This prompted passage of […]
The 2020 session of the Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 12 after 60 days in session.
Lawmakers’ final hours of work were overshadowed by the continued onslaught of COVID-19 news in the state.
This prompted passage of a supplemental state budget doubling funding from $100 million to $200 million for the COVID-19 response.
Lawmakers noted the sense of urgency to finish their work quickly due to growing concerns about the spread of the virus.
During the session, legislators passed a bill concerning certification of the level of foreign national ownership for corporations participating in state elections.
Senate Bill 6152 requires a certification from each corporation making a contribution to the candidate, political committee, or incidental committee.
The certification must state the corporation’s ownership is comprised of less than 50% of foreign nationals.
Legislators also passed a procurement bill providing for accountability and transparency in government contracting.
House Bill 1521 requires evaluation of contract performance.
The evaluation assess whether decisions to contract out government services to the private sector are achieving their stated objectives.
In addition, the bill intends to ensure public contractors given access to state resources are held to ethical standards consistent with public values.
Gov. Jay Inslee has 20 days to act on the bills.
March 13, 2020 •
Telework Policies and Travel Ban for Virginia Employees
On March 12, Gov. Ralph Northam announced a ban on all official out-of-state travel for state employees for at least the next 30 days. Northam has also ordered an implementation of telework policies for state employees.
On March 12, Gov. Ralph Northam announced a ban on all official out-of-state travel for state employees for at least the next 30 days.
Northam has also ordered an implementation of telework policies for state employees.
On March 12, the Maryland General Assembly announced the State House, the House and Senate office buildings, and Department of Legislative Services will be closed to the public. Only people with a state-issued credential are permitted access. Further, a mandatory […]
On March 12, the Maryland General Assembly announced the State House, the House and Senate office buildings, and Department of Legislative Services will be closed to the public.
Only people with a state-issued credential are permitted access.
Further, a mandatory telework policy has been put into effect for all non-essential personnel.
The announcement came after Gov. Larry Hogan instituted a similar telework policy for state agencies.
March 13, 2020 •
Georgia General Assembly Halts Session
On Thursday March 12, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and Speaker of the House David Ralston announced the General Assembly will suspend the 2020 legislative session indefinitely. The assembly suspended following the 29th legislative day on Friday, March 13. The suspension […]
On Thursday March 12, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and Speaker of the House David Ralston announced the General Assembly will suspend the 2020 legislative session indefinitely.
The assembly suspended following the 29th legislative day on Friday, March 13.
The suspension is out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of health and safety of members, staff and the public given the prevalence of the coronavirus.
The session will resume at a future date to be determined.
March 13, 2020 •
New York JCOPE Announces Accommodations for COVID-19
The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) announced their policy on COVID-19 and lobbying filings. Upon request, JCOPE will grant reasonable extensions to filers who may not be able to meet the upcoming filing deadline due to […]
The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) announced their policy on COVID-19 and lobbying filings.
Upon request, JCOPE will grant reasonable extensions to filers who may not be able to meet the upcoming filing deadline due to a COVID-19 issue.
If a filer misses the deadline due to COVID-19 related issues, please contact the JCOPE help desk at:
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- (518) 408-3976
- helpdesk@jcope.ny.gov
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Please contact as soon as possible to discuss a reasonable accommodation.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.