On April 23, the Washington Legislature adjourned the regular session sine die.

Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill during the regular session, forcing a special session to start Monday, April 24.

A two-year operating budget needs to be signed into law by June 30 or the state faces a partial government shutdown.

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Gov. Jim Justice signed a proclamation to extend the legislative session by one day to an adjournment date of April 9. The extension is required by the constitution since the Legislature has not yet passed a budget bill.

More time may be needed for lawmakers to pass a budget as there is little agreement among lawmakers on how to address West Virginia’s $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget.

Both the House and Senate advanced budget bills on Wednesday, April 5; however, Justice indicated he plans to veto either plan that reaches his desk.

The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2017 regular legislative session sine die on March 9, 2017.

Lawmakers worked just beyond their midnight deadline and passed a record 535 bills and resolutions during the 45-day session.

The passed bills include House Bill 52 creating a misdemeanor when a person conspires to make a contribution through one or more persons to avoid disclosure, House Bill 204 requiring the state to hold a presidential primary in every year a presidential election is held, and Senate Bill 275 repealing provisions requiring in certain circumstances a corporation to disclose donor identity and notify donors if the corporation uses the money to influence the outcome of an election.

In a statement to the Utah House of Representatives, Gov. Gary Herbert said it was the best legislative session he has ever seen by the state.

On March 3, the Wyoming Legislature adjourned its 2017 general session.

Lawmakers passed a supplemental budget bill making cuts to education and substance abuse prevention funding.

The budget adjustment was needed due to lower state revenues than previously anticipated.

The 2018 legislative session is scheduled to convene February 12, 2018.

The Virginia General Assembly adjourned the 2017 regular session sine die on Saturday, February 25.

A major focus of the short session was the commonwealth’s biennial budget and several bills supporting second amendment rights received strong support from both sides of the aisle.

A reconvened session is scheduled for April 5, 2017, for lawmakers to consider bills and recommendations returned to them by the governor.

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The regular legislative session is fast approaching and is set to convene January 9, 2017. With 30 days before the official start date, December 10, 2016, will mark the date legislators and state executive officeholders may not solicit or accept campaign contributions until the session adjourns.

Candidates may accept contributions that were made on December 9 or earlier, including contributions that were mailed and bear a December 9 postmark.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives cancelled a non-voting session day scheduled for Nov. 22, 2016, effectively ending the 2015-2016 legislative session.

Adjournment sine die does not technically take place until Nov. 30; however, both chambers have completed their work. Lawmakers will reconvene for the next legislative session on Jan. 3, 2017.

The Utah Legislature adjourned a one day special session sine die on November 16, 2017. Lawmakers unanimously passed a bill to fix a complicated gas tax distribution formula in order to evenly distribute revenue and reflect the legislative intent of the original bill passed last year.

Lawmakers also passed a bill clarifying the definitions of solid waste and solid waste management facility, seeking approval from Gov. Gary Herbert who vetoed similar legislation earlier this year and requested changes.

Per Utah law, the ban on contributions during a special legislative session concludes at the time of adjournment.

Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran recently proposed sweeping changes to House Rules for when lawmakers return to Tallahassee next year. Corcoran is specifically taking aim at lobbyists and their interactions with House members.

Some of the proposed changes include banning lobbyists from texting lawmakers while in committee or in the House chamber, proposing a constitutional amendment banning elected officials from lobbying for six years after leaving office, and requiring lobbyists to disclose the bill or amendment they are trying to influence.

Newly elected lawmakers will be sworn in on November 22, 2016, and the 2017 regular session will begin on March 7.

Gov. Gary Herbert has called a special legislative session beginning November 16 to fix a flawed gas tax formula.

The session was called after the Utah League of Cities and Towns and the Utah Association of Counties negotiated a solution to redistribute the tax revenue evenly.

The special session, Utah’s fourth this year, is also expected to consider a bill aimed at exempting some recycling facilities from certain licensing requirements.

Gov. Pat McCrory announced that he expects to call a special session in early December to address Hurricane Matthew relief.

The governor said he will turn in the state’s request for federal disaster assistance on Nov. 14.

Once federal relief is approved by Congress, the state will need to provide matching funds and funding for what federal relief won’t cover.

Photo of Gov. Pat McCrory by Hal Goodtree on Wikimedia Commons.

Gov. Pat McCrory is planning to call a special session to address Hurricane Matthew disaster relief.

Information on when the session will be held is expected to be released next week.

The regular session of the General Assembly is not scheduled to meet until January 2017.

Photo of Governor McCrory by Hal Goodtree on Wikimedia Commons.