March 30, 2018 •
Georgia General Assembly Adjourns 2018 Legislative Session
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned its 2018 legislative session. Lawmakers worked through midnight, a few minutes beyond the March 29 adjournment deadline. In the session, lawmakers passed a $26 billion budget, expanded public transportation, expanded the state’s medical cannabis oil […]
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned its 2018 legislative session.
Lawmakers worked through midnight, a few minutes beyond the March 29 adjournment deadline.
In the session, lawmakers passed a $26 billion budget, expanded public transportation, expanded the state’s medical cannabis oil program, and passed a hands-free driving law preventing drivers from holding their cellphones while behind the wheel.
Gov. Nathan Deal could sign, veto, or allow the bills to become law without his signature.
March 30, 2018 •
West Virginia Governor Planning to Call a Special Legislative Session in May
Gov. Jim Justice proposed calling a special legislative session to address the creation of a Department of Arts and Culture and History. No date has been set, but the governor stated the special session would be sometime in May. He […]
Gov. Jim Justice proposed calling a special legislative session to address the creation of a Department of Arts and Culture and History.
No date has been set, but the governor stated the special session would be sometime in May.
He made the announcement during a signing ceremony for legislation dissolving the Department of Education and the Arts.
March 30, 2018 •
Alabama Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on March 29, 2018. The Legislature passed House Bill 317, exempting economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist, on the final day of the regular session. Under House Bill 317, the economic development […]
The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on March 29, 2018.
The Legislature passed House Bill 317, exempting economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist, on the final day of the regular session.
Under House Bill 317, the economic development professional lobbyist registration exemption does not apply if a person seeks incentives or funds through legislative action outside of incentives already available.
Gov. Kay Ivey released a favorable statement regarding the passage of House Bill 317. Ivey has 10 days from adjournment to sign the bill.
March 29, 2018 •
Idaho Legislature Adjourns 2018 Legislative Session
On March 28, the Idaho Legislature adjourned its 2018 legislative session. The adjournment process was revised following a lawsuit over a veto last year. Lawmakers stayed in the capital an additional five days to preserve the right to override any […]
On March 28, the Idaho Legislature adjourned its 2018 legislative session.
The adjournment process was revised following a lawsuit over a veto last year.
Lawmakers stayed in the capital an additional five days to preserve the right to override any vetoes from the governor.
Bills passed include reductions to personal and corporate income tax rates, new K-12 public school science standards, and the codifying of existing stand your ground case laws.
March 14, 2018 •
Virginia Special Session Called
Gov. Ralph Northam called for a special session of the Legislature this week to finish work on the state’s budget. The session will convene April 11, just one month after the adjournment of the regular session. Lawmakers voted unanimously last […]
Gov. Ralph Northam called for a special session of the Legislature this week to finish work on the state’s budget.
The session will convene April 11, just one month after the adjournment of the regular session.
Lawmakers voted unanimously last week to request the special session.
Lawmakers must pass the two-year budget by June 30 in order to avoid a government shut down on July 1.
March 12, 2018 •
Florida Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on Sunday, March 11 after extending its annual session for several days to pass a state budget. Lawmakers approved an $88.7 billion budget with $21 billion allocated for public schools. Some of the funds […]
The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on Sunday, March 11 after extending its annual session for several days to pass a state budget.
Lawmakers approved an $88.7 billion budget with $21 billion allocated for public schools.
Some of the funds were reserved for school resource officers and mental health counselors in response to last month’s mass shooting in Parkland.
March 12, 2018 •
Washington Legislature Adjourns
The Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8. House Bill 2938, which increases penalties for campaign finance violations, and Senate Bill 5991, which requires nonprofit organizations that participate in political campaigns to file organizational statements and periodic disclosure […]
The Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8.
House Bill 2938, which increases penalties for campaign finance violations, and Senate Bill 5991, which requires nonprofit organizations that participate in political campaigns to file organizational statements and periodic disclosure statements, have passed both chambers are on the governor’s desk.
Gov. Jay Inslee has 20 days from the days he received these bills to sign or veto the bills.
March 12, 2018 •
Virginia Legislative Session Adjourns
Virginia’s General Assembly adjourned its 2018 regular legislative session Saturday, March 10. During the 60-day session, legislators were unable to pass a state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Gov. Ralph Northam promised to call a special session […]
Virginia’s General Assembly adjourned its 2018 regular legislative session Saturday, March 10.
During the 60-day session, legislators were unable to pass a state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Gov. Ralph Northam promised to call a special session in the next two to three weeks to reconsider the state’s spending plans.
The budget impasse came over Medicaid expansion, and was not a disagreement between parties, but rather between the House and the Senate.
If a budget is not passed by July 1, the state will face a government shutdown.
March 6, 2018 •
Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature Adjourns
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned a special legislative session on the state’s budget crisis on Monday night, two days before the session was scheduled end. During the session, Lawmakers were unable to reach a deal to close the state’s $994 million […]
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned a special legislative session on the state’s budget crisis on Monday night, two days before the session was scheduled end.
During the session, Lawmakers were unable to reach a deal to close the state’s $994 million budget shortfall.
State agencies who are unsure of their future funding will need to wait three to four months for a second special session to be called for a resolution, as tax bills cannot be considered during a regular session of the Legislature. Louisiana’s regularly scheduled legislative session will convene March 12 and is scheduled to end by June 4.
Gov. John Bel Edwards stated his hope for the regular session to end early to allow the Legislature to remedy the budget shortfall in a second special session in late May or early June.
October 26, 2017 •
North Carolina Adjourns Special Session
The General Assembly adjourned on October 17, after finishing a special session convening on October 4. The General Assembly overrode Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 656, a bill canceling North Carolina’s judicial primaries next year. The Legislature will reconvene […]
The General Assembly adjourned on October 17, after finishing a special session convening on October 4.
The General Assembly overrode Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 656, a bill canceling North Carolina’s judicial primaries next year.
The Legislature will reconvene on January 10, 2018.
September 18, 2017 •
California Legislature Adjourns
The California Legislature adjourned in the early hours of September 16. Bills passed in the late-night session include Senate Bill 568, which would move the presidential primary election to March; Assembly Bill 249, which would require campaign advertisements to clearly […]
The California Legislature adjourned in the early hours of September 16.
Bills passed in the late-night session include Senate Bill 568, which would move the presidential primary election to March; Assembly Bill 249, which would require campaign advertisements to clearly display their largest funders; and Assembly Bill 132, which would require counties to provide additional voter education and requires every signature of a recall petition to be examined and verified.
The bills are now waiting for Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature or veto.
September 1, 2017 •
North Carolina Legislature Adjourns, Agrees to Reconvene in October
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on August 31 after finishing a two-week special session. Members voted on new legislative districts per court order and voted to override two vetoes by the governor. The Legislature will reconvene on October 4, […]
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on August 31 after finishing a two-week special session.
Members voted on new legislative districts per court order and voted to override two vetoes by the governor.
The Legislature will reconvene on October 4, 2017, to consider constitutional amendments, election regulations, and to draw new judicial districts.
July 24, 2017 •
Washington Legislature Adjourns Special Session
On July 20, the Washington Legislature adjourned its third special session sine die. Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill due to negotiations breaking down on a water-rights bill that was tied to the budget. Gov. Jay […]
On July 20, the Washington Legislature adjourned its third special session sine die.
Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill due to negotiations breaking down on a water-rights bill that was tied to the budget.
Gov. Jay Inslee indicated that he would not call lawmakers back for another overtime session unless they have a firm plan that will lead to a vote on the capital budget.
July 24, 2017 •
Alaska to Hold Third Special Session
On July 27, the Legislature is expected to convene again for a one-day special session to pass the state’s capital construction budget. This will be the Legislature’s third special session. Lawmakers were previously unable to agree to a compromise on […]
On July 27, the Legislature is expected to convene again for a one-day special session to pass the state’s capital construction budget. This will be the Legislature’s third special session.
Lawmakers were previously unable to agree to a compromise on the budget, but have reportedly reached an agreement with enough support to call a special session.
Under the Alaska Constitution, the approval of two-thirds of the Legislature is necessary to call a special session.
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