August 30, 2021 •
Redistricting Special Session Called by Governor
![Redistricting Special Session Called by Governor](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nebraska-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
Nebraska Capitol Building
On August 27, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts called for a special session to begin September 13 for the purposes of redistricting. New boundaries are expected for state legislative, judicial, and congressional districts. The does affect lobbyist reporting. A special lobbying […]
On August 27, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts called for a special session to begin September 13 for the purposes of redistricting.
New boundaries are expected for state legislative, judicial, and congressional districts.
The does affect lobbyist reporting.
A special lobbying activity report will be due October 15 for expenses over $5,000.
Lobbyists must also file a list of the bills lobbied and the position on each within 45 days after the end of the special session.
August 23, 2021 •
Illinois Special Session for Redistricting Scheduled
![Illinois Special Session for Redistricting Scheduled](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/illinois-springfield-capitol-and-sky-1000x563.jpg)
Illinois State Capitol Building
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon issued a joint proclamation calling on the Legislature to convene on August 31 for a one-day special session to make changes in the new state legislative district map after […]
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon issued a joint proclamation calling on the Legislature to convene on August 31 for a one-day special session to make changes in the new state legislative district map after official 2020 population numbers were released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The House and Senate approved the state legislative map on May 28 with only Democratic votes, and Gov. JB Pritzker signed the map into law on June 4.
Republicans have filed a lawsuit in federal court to invalidate the map and give the redistricting commission remapping authority, claiming if a valid redistricting plan with the full force and effect of law was not completed by June 30, the Illinois Constitution shifts the responsibility for drafting a plan from the General Assembly to a redistricting commission.
August 5, 2021 •
Texas Governor Announces Next Special Legislative Session
![Texas Governor Announces Next Special Legislative Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Greg_Abbott_Governor_of_Texas_26279225765-1000x563.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott - by World Travel & Tourism Council
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on August 5 that a second special legislative session will begin at noon August 7 with an expanded agenda. The 17-item agenda still includes well-known Abbott priorities like the election bill that caused House Democrats […]
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on August 5 that a second special legislative session will begin at noon August 7 with an expanded agenda.
The 17-item agenda still includes well-known Abbott priorities like the election bill that caused House Democrats to flee the state at the start of the first special session, which ends August 6.
The special session also features six additions, including the spending of federal COVID-19 relief funds and potentially changing the legislative rules regarding quorums.
There is also a new item on public education during the pandemic, an increasingly salient issue as parents prepare to send their kids back to school with the virus on the rise again in Texas.
No adjournment date has been set yet for the second special session.
July 23, 2021 •
Louisiana Legislature Adjourns Veto Override Session
![Louisiana Legislature Adjourns Veto Override Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Louisiana-flag-1000x563.jpg)
Louisiana state flag
The Louisiana Legislature ended its first-ever veto override session July 23 after failing to gather enough support to overturn any of the 28 bills Gov. John Bel Edwards had vetoed. During the session, which could have lasted until midnight July […]
The Louisiana Legislature ended its first-ever veto override session July 23 after failing to gather enough support to overturn any of the 28 bills Gov. John Bel Edwards had vetoed.
During the session, which could have lasted until midnight July 24, lawmakers failed to reach the necessary two-thirds majority in each chamber to revive the vetoed legislation.
The most noteworthy proposal, Senate Bill 156, would have banned transgender athletes from taking part in girls’ and women’s sports.
The House voted 68-30 July 21 in favor of overriding the governor’s veto of the bill with two votes shy of the 70 needed to make the bill law.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
July 20, 2021 •
Louisiana Legislature to Convene for First Veto Override Session in State History
![Louisiana Legislature to Convene for First Veto Override Session in State History](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/John-Bel-Edwards-crops-980x563.jpg)
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards
Louisiana lawmakers will convene for the first veto override session in history as the Republican-dominated Legislature plans to challenge Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ vetoes on a transgender sports ban, a gun rights expansion and as many as 26 other […]
Louisiana lawmakers will convene for the first veto override session in history as the Republican-dominated Legislature plans to challenge Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ vetoes on a transgender sports ban, a gun rights expansion and as many as 26 other vetoes.
The veto session, which will begin at noon July 20 and must end by midnight July 24, was triggered when a majority of legislators in both the House and Senate withheld their ballots that would have canceled the session.
Only 12 of 39 senators returned ballots to cancel, while 35 of 104 members of the House returned ballots to cancel. One seat is vacant in the 105-members House.
The most often mentioned targets for override have been Senate Bill 156 by Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, to ban transgender athletes from competing on girls sports teams and Senate Bill Senate Bill 118 by Sen. Jay Morris, R-Monroe, to allow anyone 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training.
If any veto is overturned, the bill becomes law without the governor’s signature.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
July 19, 2021 •
Rhode Island Legislature Adjourned
![Rhode Island Legislature Adjourned](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1024px-2019_Rhode_Island_State_House_02-1000x563.jpg)
Rhode Island State House - by Farragutful
Both chambers of the Rhode Island General Assembly recessed after passing the budget for the fiscal year 2022. The Legislature is expected to reconvene in the fall in order to address some outstanding issues. This includes a voting package that […]
Both chambers of the Rhode Island General Assembly recessed after passing the budget for the fiscal year 2022.
The Legislature is expected to reconvene in the fall in order to address some outstanding issues.
This includes a voting package that would continue less restrictive absentee voting rules temporarily in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 1, 2021 •
Arizona Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
![Arizona Legislature Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Arizona_State_Capitol-2-1000x563.jpg)
Arizona State Capitol - by Visitor7
The Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on June 30, concluding a 171-day session that was among the longest in recent state history. Relating to campaign finance, Senate Bill 1714 passed. Effective September 28, the bill provides a person who makes an […]
The Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on June 30, concluding a 171-day session that was among the longest in recent state history.
Relating to campaign finance, Senate Bill 1714 passed. Effective September 28, the bill provides a person who makes an expenditure for an advertisement or fund-raising fundraising solicitation, other than an individual, must include in the advertisement or solicitation the aggregate percentage of out-of-state contributors as calculated at the time the advertisement was produced for publication, display, delivery, or broadcast.
The disclosure must state “paid for by” followed by ” the aggregate percentage of out-of-state contributors. If the advertisement is delivered by hand or by mail, the disclosure must be clearly readable, and if the advertisement is paid for by a political action committee, the disclosure must be displayed in a height that is at least 10% of the vertical height of the advertisement.
Several other significant issues, including the passage of sweeping tax cuts, approval for an increase in unemployment benefits starting in 2022 and criminal justice changes were also resolved by final adjournment.
The 2022 Legislature is scheduled to convene on January 10.
June 15, 2021 •
New York Legislature Adjourns
![New York Legislature Adjourns](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1024px-New_York_State_Capitol_28337961392-1000x563.jpg)
NY State Capitol - by formulanone
The New York State Legislature adjourned on June 11. During the legislative session lawmakers introduced and failed to pass bills to ban corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and limited liability partnerships from making political contributions; create a restricted period for […]
The New York State Legislature adjourned on June 11.
During the legislative session lawmakers introduced and failed to pass bills to ban corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and limited liability partnerships from making political contributions; create a restricted period for vendor contributions; and increase required lobbyist disclosures of political contributions and business relationships with public officials.
The Senate is expected to return later this summer regarding the confirmation of state appointments.
The Assembly is expected to continue an impeachment inquiry through the summer months regarding sexual harassment allegations made against the governor.
June 15, 2021 •
Minnesota Legislature Returns for Special Session
![Minnesota Legislature Returns for Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Minnesota-Capitol-Hi-Res.jpg)
Minnesota Capitol Building
On June 14, the Minnesota Legislature returned to the capitol for a special session. In this session, lawmakers will be finalizing a two-year, $52 billion budget before the start of the next fiscal period July 1. If the legislature fails […]
On June 14, the Minnesota Legislature returned to the capitol for a special session.
In this session, lawmakers will be finalizing a two-year, $52 billion budget before the start of the next fiscal period July 1.
If the legislature fails to pass a budget before July 1, there will be a government shutdown.
June 10, 2021 •
West Virginia Legislature Holds One-Day Special Session
![West Virginia Legislature Holds One-Day Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/West-Virginia-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
West Virginia Capitol Building - O Palsson
The West Virginia held a one-day special session on June 7. Though the session was brief, the Legislature managed to pass seven bills. Six of these bills concerned reallocation of unused federal relief funds to road maintenance work and the […]
The West Virginia held a one-day special session on June 7.
Though the session was brief, the Legislature managed to pass seven bills.
Six of these bills concerned reallocation of unused federal relief funds to road maintenance work and the departments of Health and Human Resources and Education, while the final bill concerned property exemptions for bankruptcy proceedings.
June 10, 2021 •
Nebraska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
![Nebraska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Nebraska-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
Nebraska Capitol Building
The 2021 session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature has adjourned sine die June 10. Gov. Pete Ricketts addressed lawmakers, who overrode three of his vetoes. Ricketts praised senators for approving nearly $1.7 billion in property tax relief over the next […]
The 2021 session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature has adjourned sine die June 10.
Gov. Pete Ricketts addressed lawmakers, who overrode three of his vetoes.
Ricketts praised senators for approving nearly $1.7 billion in property tax relief over the next two years.
The governor said the legislature’s quick and decisive action also empowered state agencies to respond effectively to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Legislature is scheduled to convene in early fall for a special legislative session to complete the 2021 redistricting process.
The 2022 legislature is scheduled to convene January 5.
June 10, 2021 •
Louisiana Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
![Louisiana Legislature Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2014_Louisiana_State_Capitol-800x563.jpg)
Louisiana State Capitol
The Louisiana Legislature will adjourn sine die no later than 6 p.m. June 10 in accordance with state law. Gov. John Bel Edwards will hold a media briefing about the 2021 legislative session 30 minutes after adjournment sine die. During […]
The Louisiana Legislature will adjourn sine die no later than 6 p.m. June 10 in accordance with state law.
Gov. John Bel Edwards will hold a media briefing about the 2021 legislative session 30 minutes after adjournment sine die.
During the session, a bill eliminating certain aggregate campaign contribution limitations passed.
Senate Bill 4 removes the limitation on combined contributions for both the primary and general elections that may be accepted by any candidate and his principal and subsidiary campaign committees from a political committee.
Present law provides the total amount of combined contributions for both the primary and general elections that may be accepted by a candidate and his principal and subsidiary campaign committees from political committees must not exceed $80,000 for major office candidates, $60,000 for district office candidates, and $20,000 for other office candidates in aggregate.
Senate Bill 4 was sent to the governor on June 1 and has an effective date of August 1.
June 10, 2021 •
Colorado Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
![Colorado Legislature Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Colorado-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Colorado Capitol Building
The Colorado General Assembly adjourned sine die for the 2021 session shortly before 8 p.m. on June 8 after debating a controversial climate bill on the House floor. During the session, a bill was passed relating to local government election […]
The Colorado General Assembly adjourned sine die for the 2021 session shortly before 8 p.m. on June 8 after debating a controversial climate bill on the House floor.
During the session, a bill was passed relating to local government election codes. Senate Bill 21-160 clarifies that, when computing time for any designated period of days for a local government election, the first day from which the period of days runs is excluded and the last day from which the period of days is included.
The bill also provides a process for dividing a special district into separate director districts and for members to be elected from each director district at large or by the electors within each director district.
The bill takes effect following the expiration of the 90-day period after final adjournment of the General Assembly.
June 7, 2021 •
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba adjourned until October 6
![Legislative Assembly of Manitoba adjourned until October 6](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Manitoba-Legislative-Building-1000x563.jpg)
Manitoba Legislative Building
On June 1, the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba adjourned for the summer. Bill 222, The Lobbyists Registration Amendment Act, was introduced in March, but has not yet moved beyond the first reading. The bill would remove the exemption for union […]
On June 1, the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba adjourned for the summer.
Bill 222, The Lobbyists Registration Amendment Act, was introduced in March, but has not yet moved beyond the first reading.
The bill would remove the exemption for union representatives in The Lobbyists Registration Act.
If passed, the Act would come into force 90 days after the day it receives royal assent.
The Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on October 6.
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