May 26, 2020 •
New Mexico Governor to Call Special Legislative Session
![New Mexico Governor to Call Special Legislative Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Michelle-Lujan-Grisham-scaled-1-1000x563.jpg)
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham targeted June 18 for the start of a special legislative session. The session will be held to adjust the state budget amid a major hit to expected revenue related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, […]
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham targeted June 18 for the start of a special legislative session.
The session will be held to adjust the state budget amid a major hit to expected revenue related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, Governor Grisham hopes to reach bipartisan agreement on financial measures.
As of now, the state is on track to re-open thousands of more businesses and services on June 1.
The legislative session is expected to span several days.
May 22, 2020 •
Rhode Island General Assembly Extends Delay and Schedules Committee Hearings
![Rhode Island General Assembly Extends Delay and Schedules Committee Hearings](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Rhode-Island-Skyline-1000x563.jpg)
Rhode Island Skyline
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has extended the delay of the legislative session. House and Senate legislative sessions have been canceled for the week of May 25 to May 29. Three Senate Committees are scheduled to […]
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has extended the delay of the legislative session.
House and Senate legislative sessions have been canceled for the week of May 25 to May 29.
Three Senate Committees are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 26, Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28.
The House Finance Committee is also expected to meet during the week and the schedule will be announced at a later date.
The State House building remains closed to the public due to the emergency.
The full General Assembly is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
May 22, 2020 •
Delaware General Assembly to Reconvene Virtually
![Delaware General Assembly to Reconvene Virtually](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Delaware-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Delaware Capitol Building
Delaware lawmakers announced the General Assembly will reconvene virtually and livestream the sessions on YouTube. The House of Representatives will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 26, and the Senate will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 27. A link to each […]
Delaware lawmakers announced the General Assembly will reconvene virtually and livestream the sessions on YouTube.
The House of Representatives will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 26, and the Senate will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 27.
A link to each meeting of the House, Senate, and joint committees will be posted on the General Assembly’s website.
The Legislative Hall remains closed to the public until further notice.
May 20, 2020 •
Alabama Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
![Alabama Legislature Adjourns Sine Die](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Alabama_State_Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Alabama State Capitol Building
On May 18, the final day of the regular session, the Alabama Legislature voted to approve with Gov. Kay Ivey’s amendment to Senate Bill 161. This amendment allocates the $1.8 billion received by the state from the CARES Act. Thus, […]
On May 18, the final day of the regular session, the Alabama Legislature voted to approve with Gov. Kay Ivey’s amendment to Senate Bill 161.
This amendment allocates the $1.8 billion received by the state from the CARES Act.
Thus, the Alabama Legislature now stands adjourned sine die.
May 18, 2020 •
Wyoming Special Session Ends with Approval of Three Bills
![Wyoming Special Session Ends with Approval of Three Bills](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1152px-Wyoming_State_Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Wyoming Capitol - By Bradlyons
The Legislature’s first special session since 2004 ended Saturday night with three bills headed to the desk of Gov. Mark Gordon for his consideration. The main task of the special session was to set up programs and time frames for […]
The Legislature’s first special session since 2004 ended Saturday night with three bills headed to the desk of Gov. Mark Gordon for his consideration.
The main task of the special session was to set up programs and time frames for the spending of $1.25 billion Wyoming received through the federal CARES act.
Though Gov. Gordon has the ultimate authority to spend the money, the approved legislation provides a broad outline of where that money will go.
May 14, 2020 •
Michigan Adjourns Until May 19 Due to Protests
![Michigan Adjourns Until May 19 Due to Protests](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Michigan-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
Michigan State Capitol - By Brian Charles Watson
Thursday’s legislative session was canceled and the Capitol in Lansing was closed due to an armed protest and death threats against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. At the end of the Senate session on May 13, lawmakers simply adjourned until May 19 […]
Thursday’s legislative session was canceled and the Capitol in Lansing was closed due to an armed protest and death threats against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
At the end of the Senate session on May 13, lawmakers simply adjourned until May 19 rather than call the next previously scheduled meeting.
The adjournment came in fear of a repeat of the events on April 30.
Armed protesters entered the Senate Chamber’s visitors gallery, standing above the members during the session.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued an opinion on May 11 saying the State Capitol Commission could ban firearms.
The commission voted to study a ban this week, and on May 12, Sen. Dayna Polehanki proposed Senate Resolution 118 to ban firearms in the Capitol.
May 4, 2020 •
Louisiana Lawmakers Resume Regular Session
![Louisiana Lawmakers Resume Regular Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2014_Louisiana_State_Capitol-800x563.jpg)
Louisiana State Capitol
Louisiana lawmakers will resume their regular legislative session on May 4 to address budget issues and virus response legislation. Despite the stay-at-home order in place through May 15, many legislators are ready to return for the remainder of session. These […]
Louisiana lawmakers will resume their regular legislative session on May 4 to address budget issues and virus response legislation.
Despite the stay-at-home order in place through May 15, many legislators are ready to return for the remainder of session.
These final four weeks began March 9, and the session was postponed March 16.
Legislative leaders also anticipate a large financial gap from widespread unemployment, forcing down tax collections and oil prices.
Altogether, the next financial year, beginning July 1, is predicting between $500 million to $1 billion less in state funding.
With a session that must end June 1, many legislators are eager to use the available days to assist with economic recovery.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
May 4, 2020 •
New Hampshire General Court Suspends Legislative Activities Indefinitely
![New Hampshire General Court Suspends Legislative Activities Indefinitely](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/New-Hampshire-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
New Hampshire State House - AlexiusHoratius
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Court has suspended all legislative activities until further notice except for remote public meetings. Lawmakers previously suspended legislative activities until May 4. The State House and Legislative Office Building will be closed to […]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Court has suspended all legislative activities until further notice except for remote public meetings.
Lawmakers previously suspended legislative activities until May 4.
The State House and Legislative Office Building will be closed to legislative members, legislative staff, and visitors during the suspension.
April 23, 2020 •
Connecticut General Assembly Announces Session Will Not Reconvene
![Connecticut General Assembly Announces Session Will Not Reconvene](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Connecticut_State_Capitol_Hartford-1000x563.jpg)
Connecticut State Capitol
On April 21, the General Assembly announced the regular session will not reconvene before the May 6 constitutional adjournment date. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the legislative session has been suspended since March 11. Legislative leaders expect a special […]
On April 21, the General Assembly announced the regular session will not reconvene before the May 6 constitutional adjournment date.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the legislative session has been suspended since March 11.
Legislative leaders expect a special session to be called in the coming months to address pending bills to ensure the continuity of government functions.
This does not immediately affect lobbyist reporting.
April 16, 2020 •
Utah Convenes Online for Emergency Special Session
![Utah Convenes Online for Emergency Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Utah-Capitol-Building-1-1000x563.jpg)
Utah Capitol Building - Jkinsocal
Due to COVID-19, Utah lawmakers are meeting online for the first time on April 16 for an emergency special session. Only Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Brad Wilson are expected to be in the legislative chambers in the […]
Due to COVID-19, Utah lawmakers are meeting online for the first time on April 16 for an emergency special session.
Only Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Brad Wilson are expected to be in the legislative chambers in the closed state Capitol.
Work on more than 20 items on the agenda will be tackled in one chamber at a time, beginning in the House.
Bills will not receive committee hearings, which are optional in a special session.
The session will continue for a period of up to 10 days.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
April 13, 2020 •
Iowa Legislature Will Remain Adjourned Until April 30
![Iowa Legislature Will Remain Adjourned Until April 30](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Iowa-Capitol-2-1000x563.jpg)
Iowa Capitol Building - Ashton B Crew
The Legislative Council of Iowa met virtually to suspend the legislative session until April 30. The council makes rules when the legislative body isn’t in session. The suspension comes due to concerns over the increasing number of coronavirus cases in […]
The Legislative Council of Iowa met virtually to suspend the legislative session until April 30.
The council makes rules when the legislative body isn’t in session.
The suspension comes due to concerns over the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the state.
Lawmakers have not passed a budget for next year and the current fiscal year ends June 30, but a bill passed in March before the session’s suspension extends this year’s budget through the end of August.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
April 9, 2020 •
Colorado Lawmakers Plan to Resume Session May 18
![Colorado Lawmakers Plan to Resume Session May 18](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Colorado-Capitol-1000x563.jpg)
Colorado Capitol Building
The Colorado General Assembly tentatively plans to return from recess on May 18. Lawmakers set the date during an April 8 meeting at the closed Capitol. They also indicated it may change depending on the status of the COVID-19 public […]
The Colorado General Assembly tentatively plans to return from recess on May 18.
Lawmakers set the date during an April 8 meeting at the closed Capitol.
They also indicated it may change depending on the status of the COVID-19 public health crisis.
The General Assembly has flexibility to extend the session beyond the original May 6 adjournment date.
The timeline to resume is guided by the need to finish the state budget.
The House and Senate did not put an end date on the legislative term and continue to refine the agenda for the remainder of the session.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
April 9, 2020 •
South Carolina Legislature Unable to Agree on Spending Legislation
![South Carolina Legislature Unable to Agree on Spending Legislation](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/South-Carolina-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
South Carolina Capitol Building
On April 8, the Legislature met for a single day to approve funding legislation to ensure the state can continue operating for the next fiscal year. Despite unanimous passage in the House, debate in the Senate led to an amendment […]
On April 8, the Legislature met for a single day to approve funding legislation to ensure the state can continue operating for the next fiscal year.
Despite unanimous passage in the House, debate in the Senate led to an amendment being passed late in the afternoon after the House had adjourned.
The House and Senate also failed to come to an agreement about convening a special session later in the year after the legislative session ends on May 14.
The House will have to reconvene by the May 14 constitutional deadline or convene a special session prior to the end of the fiscal year on June 30 to avoid the state being left unable to spend money.
April 6, 2020 •
California Legislature Extends Recess to May 4
![California Legislature Extends Recess to May 4](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/California-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
California State Capitol Building - Jeff Turner
The California Legislature pushed back a scheduled return to the legislative session by three weeks to give public health officials more time to deal with the coronavirus spreading through the state. The Legislature now is scheduled to reconvene on May […]
The California Legislature pushed back a scheduled return to the legislative session by three weeks to give public health officials more time to deal with the coronavirus spreading through the state.
The Legislature now is scheduled to reconvene on May 4.
Lawmakers had voted unanimously on March 16 to suspend its session until April 13.
The initial decision last month to suspend activities at the state Capitol was unprecedented in California history.
The decision came after legislators grappled for several days to balance public health concerns with the need for action to address the impact of the pandemic.
Both houses quickly passed a $1 billion relief plan on March 16 before putting a halt to all legislative business.
Whether a return in early May will be possible could depend on the state’s success or failure this month in slowing the rate of infection.
Early spring is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for the Legislature, with hundreds of bills considered by policy committees before receiving final votes in either of the two houses by May 31.
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