June 1, 2021 •
Nevada Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Nevada Legislature adjourned sine die June 1. In the last day of the session, the Legislature passed bills to license cannabis lounges; overhaul state voting policies; change the date of the state’s presidential primary; and mandate all active voters […]
The Nevada Legislature adjourned sine die June 1.
In the last day of the session, the Legislature passed bills to license cannabis lounges; overhaul state voting policies; change the date of the state’s presidential primary; and mandate all active voters be sent a mail-in ballot in future elections.
Earlier in the year, Nevada passed a bill changing the definition of lobbyist to remove the provision requiring an appearance in person in the Legislative Building or any other building in which the Legislature or any of the standing committees hold meetings.
This does affect lobbyist reporting.
The July 10 lobbyist activity report for activity in June, must be filed before the termination and final report due July 1.
June 1, 2021 •
Texas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die May 31 after 140 days in session. Talk of a special session and questions about how soon one may happen or what additional issues Gov. Greg Abbott could task legislators with has largely defined the last […]
The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die May 31 after 140 days in session.
Talk of a special session and questions about how soon one may happen or what additional issues Gov. Greg Abbott could task legislators with has largely defined the last weekend of the legislative session.
In the final days of the session, House Democrats staged a walkout and broke quorum, making it impossible to give final approval to Senate Bill 7, a massive voting bill that would tighten the state’s election laws, before the midnight deadline.
Gov. Abbott quickly made clear that the bill, along with another other priority legislation that would have made it harder for people arrested to bond out of jail without cash, still must pass and that the two issues will be added to the special session agenda.
Before lawmakers adjourned, Gov. Abbott made clear he intends to reprimand the Legislature over its unfinished business by vetoing the section of the state budget that funds the legislative branch.
June 1, 2021 •
Missouri Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 101st General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 25, sending less than a hundred bills to Gov. Mike Parson and leaving unfinished business, including the passage of the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA), a tax on medical providers that helps […]
The 101st General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 25, sending less than a hundred bills to Gov. Mike Parson and leaving unfinished business, including the passage of the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA), a tax on medical providers that helps pay for the state’s Medicaid program.
They have until September 30 to pass the FRA and Rep. Sarah Unsicker has requested a special session to renew it.
Other Lawmakers have also sent requests for special sessions to Gov. Mike Parson on different topics, including redistricting, election bills, the Kansas City police budget, and race-related school curricula.
May 28, 2021 •
Nebraska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 107th legislative session of the Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die May 27, earlier than anticipated. During the session, lawmakers passed the state’s two-year budget and approved significant tax reform. The Legislature is scheduled to convene in early fall for […]
The 107th legislative session of the Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die May 27, earlier than anticipated.
During the session, lawmakers passed the state’s two-year budget and approved significant tax reform.
The Legislature is scheduled to convene in early fall for a special legislative session to complete the 2021 redistricting process.
The May sine die adjournment triggers a statement of activity report due July 11, which is 45 days after adjournment sine die of the legislative session.
The Legislature is scheduled to convene in its 2022 session on January 5.
May 28, 2021 •
Oklahoma Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned its 2021 regular legislative session sine die on May 27, one day before a constitutionally mandated deadline. The House and Senate both adjourned before noon after each chamber passed a bill making some minor modifications to […]
The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned its 2021 regular legislative session sine die on May 27, one day before a constitutionally mandated deadline.
The House and Senate both adjourned before noon after each chamber passed a bill making some minor modifications to the state’s medical marijuana laws.
The House also gave final approval to a measure that allows the governor to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy should one occur. Both of those bills now head to the governor’s desk.
Ethics Rule Amendment 202101 related to candidate committee reporting is slated to take effect upon adjournment sine die. The amendment modifies ethics rules applicable to candidate committees formed for elections held prior to January 1, 2015, by providing a mandatory dissolution date, modifying uses of surplus funds and treatment of debt of those committees, and providing a repeal of ethics rules applicable to candidate committees formed for elections held prior to January 1, 2015.
The 2022 legislative session will convene on February 7.
May 28, 2021 •
Kansas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Kansas Legislature adjourned sine die from its 2021 legislative session on May 26. During the session, lawmakers in Kansas passed proposals to ban COVID-19 vaccine passports, limit efforts to track down the close contacts of people with the coronavirus […]
The Kansas Legislature adjourned sine die from its 2021 legislative session on May 26.
During the session, lawmakers in Kansas passed proposals to ban COVID-19 vaccine passports, limit efforts to track down the close contacts of people with the coronavirus and provide up to $500 million to businesses that closed or faced pandemic restrictions.
Several bills related to lobbying law were also introduced but did not pass. House Bill 2055 would have changed the five-day grace period for the late filing notice for lobbyist reports and statements of substantial interest reports to begin when the notice is deposited in the mail.
Additionally, House Bill 2235 would have required lobbyists to wear body cameras while inside the statehouse. The bill would have required such recordings to be public records. Additionally, House Bill 2235 would have prohibited any economic benefit or hospitality provided by a lobbyist to a legislator or candidates for the Legislature.
The 2022 legislative session will convene on January 10.
May 24, 2021 •
Vermont Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 21. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 legislative session was conducted remotely. During the session, lawmakers failed to pass proposed ethics bills including House Bill 64 prohibiting gifts to legislators from […]
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 21.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 legislative session was conducted remotely.
During the session, lawmakers failed to pass proposed ethics bills including House Bill 64 prohibiting gifts to legislators from lobbying entities.
Lawmakers are expecting to lift all COVID-19 restrictions by the summer and resume an in-person legislative session for 2022.
May 19, 2021 •
Alabama’s 2021 Legislative Session Comes to End
The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on May 17. Among the measures passed were the $2.4 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year, legalization of medical marijuana, and a ban on curbside voting. Additionally, a bill requiring all campaign […]
The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on May 17.
Among the measures passed were the $2.4 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year, legalization of medical marijuana, and a ban on curbside voting.
Additionally, a bill requiring all campaign finance reports to be filed electronically was passed earlier in the session.
This requirement goes into effect in August 2023.
May 14, 2021 •
Alaska Gov. Intends to Call Two Special Sessions This Summer
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy intends to call two special sessions during the summer on May 20 and August 2. Dunleavy will task lawmakers with addressing the state budget and the Permanent Fund dividend. The Legislature’s regular session is scheduled to […]
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy intends to call two special sessions during the summer on May 20 and August 2.
Dunleavy will task lawmakers with addressing the state budget and the Permanent Fund dividend.
The Legislature’s regular session is scheduled to end May 19 and lawmakers are not on track to finish the state’s budget before then.
During the August session, the Legislature will consider a constitutional amendment to reduce the Permanent Fund and permanently cap the Legislature’s ability to spend from the fund.
May 13, 2021 •
Idaho Senate Adjourns, House to Recess
On May 12, the Idaho Senate adjourned and the House of Representatives voted to recess ending the longest legislative session in Idaho’s history. Passed legislation included campaign finance bills to prohibit foreign political contributions, enable candidate contribution transfers from one […]
On May 12, the Idaho Senate adjourned and the House of Representatives voted to recess ending the longest legislative session in Idaho’s history.
Passed legislation included campaign finance bills to prohibit foreign political contributions, enable candidate contribution transfers from one seat to another, and require statement of expenditures to include the identity of the candidate or measure passed.
Lawmakers also passed a bill allowing the Legislature to convene in special session.
May 6, 2021 •
Tennessee Legislature Adjourns
The Tennessee Legislature adjourned sine die on May 5. The Legislature succeeded in approving a $42.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year and criminal justice reform measures aimed at improving outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. However, the session […]
The Tennessee Legislature adjourned sine die on May 5.
The Legislature succeeded in approving a $42.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year and criminal justice reform measures aimed at improving outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals.
However, the session also prominently featured highly contentious bills concerning transgender students, abortion, and guns.
May 4, 2021 •
Washington Legislature adjourns
Washington Lawmakers adjourned sine die after the Democratic-led Legislature passed many progressive initiatives during the 105-day session. Police reform, climate change, and a $59 billion two-year spending plan were among the highlights of the session. A bill to require 24-hour […]
Washington Lawmakers adjourned sine die after the Democratic-led Legislature passed many progressive initiatives during the 105-day session.
Police reform, climate change, and a $59 billion two-year spending plan were among the highlights of the session.
A bill to require 24-hour reporting of grassroots lobbying expenditures did not pass.
April 30, 2021 •
Montana Legislature Adjourns
The Montana Legislature adjourned sine die April 29 after passing the state budget and policies to regulate and tax marijuana sales. The Republican majority focused attention on numerous socially conservative causes including abortion, transgender rights, and bills decreasing the power […]
The Montana Legislature adjourned sine die April 29 after passing the state budget and policies to regulate and tax marijuana sales.
The Republican majority focused attention on numerous socially conservative causes including abortion, transgender rights, and bills decreasing the power of local public health and the executive branch during a health crisis.
The Legislature’s most lauded achievement was passing $120 million in tax cuts over the next two years.
April 13, 2021 •
Maryland General Assembly Adjourns 2021 Session
The Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 12. Key enacted legislation included the $1 billion pandemic relief enacted with Gov. Larry Hogan’s approval and sweeping police reform measures enacted despite Hogan’s veto. Additionally, a hotly debated immigrants’ rights […]
The Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 12.
Key enacted legislation included the $1 billion pandemic relief enacted with Gov. Larry Hogan’s approval and sweeping police reform measures enacted despite Hogan’s veto.
Additionally, a hotly debated immigrants’ rights bill aimed at making Maryland a sanctuary state was also passed, but it is expected to be vetoed by Hogan.
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