June 10, 2021 •
Louisiana Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

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.
May 2, 2017 •
North Carolina Law to Merge Elections and Ethics Boards Put on Hold
On April 28, a three-judge panel issued an order in Gov. Roy Cooper’s legal challenge against Senate Bill 68 to put the law on hold until a further hearing on May 10. The new law to combine state elections and […]
On April 28, a three-judge panel issued an order in Gov. Roy Cooper’s legal challenge against Senate Bill 68 to put the law on hold until a further hearing on May 10.
The new law to combine state elections and ethics boards became law when the House and Senate voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 68.
Senate Bill 68 was a renewed effort to revamp the boards after a three-judge panel ruled that the General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted Senate Bill 4 in 2016 to establish a similar bipartisan board to oversee elections and ethics.
April 25, 2017 •
North Carolina Lawmakers Override Veto; Elections and Ethics Boards to Merge
On April 25, lawmakers finalized efforts to combine state elections and ethics boards with both the House and Senate voting to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 68. The bill merges the elections and ethics boards into a […]
On April 25, lawmakers finalized efforts to combine state elections and ethics boards with both the House and Senate voting to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 68.
The bill merges the elections and ethics boards into a single board split evenly between political parties.
The merger of the boards under Senate Bill 68 comes after a three-judge panel ruled that the General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted Senate Bill 4 to establish a similar bipartisan board to oversee elections and consider ethics complaints and issues.
April 5, 2017 •
North Carolina Lawmakers Make New Attempt at Combined Elections and Ethics Board
Lawmakers are back to work attempting to combine state elections and ethics boards after a three-judge panel ruled that the General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted Senate Bill 4 establishing a bipartisan board to oversee elections […]
Lawmakers are back to work attempting to combine state elections and ethics boards after a three-judge panel ruled that the General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted Senate Bill 4 establishing a bipartisan board to oversee elections and consider ethics complaints and issues.
The House Elections Committee approved changes to Senate Bill 68 to remove the bill’s original content relating to school attendance, replacing it with a reworked proposal to create a Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement.
Senate Bill 68 would merge the elections and ethics boards, but the governor would be able to appoint all members from nominations made by North Carolina’s Republican and Democratic parties. The board would be split evenly between the two parties.
Senate Bill 68 is set for a floor vote in the House on April 5.
March 20, 2017 •
North Carolina Merger of State Board of Elections and State Ethics Commission Ruled Unconstitutional
On March 17, a three-judge panel ruled that the North Carolina General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted Senate Bill 4 establishing a bipartisan board to oversee elections and consider ethics complaints and issues. The ruling held […]
On March 17, a three-judge panel ruled that the North Carolina General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted Senate Bill 4 establishing a bipartisan board to oversee elections and consider ethics complaints and issues.
The ruling held that lawmakers violated the separation of powers in trying to take control over appointments in the governor’s administration.
Prior to Senate Bill 4, the State Board of Elections and State Ethics Commission were separate entities and the governor had the power to appoint a majority from his own party to preside over elections. Lawmakers could appeal the decision.
March 3, 2017 •
Legal Challenges Create Confusion for NC Ethics Commission and Elections Board
On February 28, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that a three-judge panel did not have the authority to revive the two original boards after lawmakers had dissolved them with Senate Bill 4. Gov. Roy Cooper is currently challenging […]
On February 28, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that a three-judge panel did not have the authority to revive the two original boards after lawmakers had dissolved them with Senate Bill 4.
Gov. Roy Cooper is currently challenging Senate Bill 4 on the basis that the General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted the law establishing an eight-member board to oversee elections and consider ethics complaints and issues.
Last month, the North Carolina Supreme Court blocked Senate Bill 4 from taking effect while the legal challenge against the law is pending. This latest ruling means there is not technically an Ethics Commission or Board of Elections. Gov. Cooper is expected to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court, which could reestablish the boards.
February 14, 2017 •
NC Supreme Court Reinstates Block on Elections Board Merger
Monday, the North Carolina Supreme Court issued an order blocking Senate Bill 4 from taking effect while the legal challenge against the law is pending. This order halts the merger to combine the State Board of Elections with the State […]
Monday, the North Carolina Supreme Court issued an order blocking Senate Bill 4 from taking effect while the legal challenge against the law is pending.
This order halts the merger to combine the State Board of Elections with the State Ethics Commission.
Gov. Roy Cooper is currently challenging Senate Bill 4 on the basis that the General Assembly overstepped its state constitutional authority when it adopted the law establishing an eight-member board to oversee elections and consider ethics complaints and issues.
February 10, 2017 •
North Carolina Appeals Court Reinstates Law to Merge Ethics and Elections Boards
On Thursday, a ruling from the North Carolina Court of Appeals overturned a lower court order that blocked Senate Bill 4 from taking effect while the legal challenge against the law was pending. This allows the merger to go forward […]
On Thursday, a ruling from the North Carolina Court of Appeals overturned a lower court order that blocked Senate Bill 4 from taking effect while the legal challenge against the law was pending.
This allows the merger to go forward to combine the State Board of Elections with the State Ethics Commission.
Gov. Roy Cooper appealed this ruling today to the state Supreme Court.
December 30, 2016 •
Judge Puts North Carolina’s Senate Bill 4 on Hold
Today, Governor-elect Roy Cooper filed a legal challenge against Senate Bill 4. Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens agreed to block the law from taking effect while the lawsuit is pending. Senate Bill 4 would have taken effect January […]
Today, Governor-elect Roy Cooper filed a legal challenge against Senate Bill 4. Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens agreed to block the law from taking effect while the lawsuit is pending.
Senate Bill 4 would have taken effect January 1, 2017, to merge the State Board of Elections with the State Ethics Commission and create a new eight-member board split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. The bill was passed by a Republican dominated legislature in an attempt to limit the power of the executive branch before newly elected Democrats take power.
December 19, 2016 •
North Carolina Bill to Merge Ethics and Elections Boards Becomes Law
On Friday, December 16, Gov. Pat McCrory signed Senate Bill 4 into law. Senate Bill 4 merges the State Board of Elections with the State Ethics Commission and creates a new eight-member board split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. The […]
On Friday, December 16, Gov. Pat McCrory signed Senate Bill 4 into law. Senate Bill 4 merges the State Board of Elections with the State Ethics Commission and creates a new eight-member board split evenly between Republicans and Democrats.
The bill was introduced by Republicans in an attempt to limit the power of the executive branch before newly elected Democrats take power. Governor-elect Roy Cooper has stated that he plans to challenge the law in court as unconstitutional.
December 16, 2016 •
North Carolina Bill to Merge Ethics and Elections Boards Passes Senate
Yesterday, Senate Bill 4 passed in the North Carolina Senate with a 30-16 vote. Senate Bill 4 seeks to merge the State Board of Elections with the State Ethics Commission and create a new eight-member board split evenly between Republicans […]
Yesterday, Senate Bill 4 passed in the North Carolina Senate with a 30-16 vote.
Senate Bill 4 seeks to merge the State Board of Elections with the State Ethics Commission and create a new eight-member board split evenly between Republicans and Democrats.
The bill is now headed to the House for consideration
December 15, 2016 •
Surprise Special Session Called in North Carolina
Minutes after legislators finished work on a hurricane relief package in a two-day special session set by Gov. Pat McCrory, Republicans called a second special session Wednesday in an attempt to pass legislation to limit newly elected Democrats. Most of […]
Minutes after legislators finished work on a hurricane relief package in a two-day special session set by Gov. Pat McCrory, Republicans called a second special session Wednesday in an attempt to pass legislation to limit newly elected Democrats.
Most of the 21 bills introduced seek to limit the power of the executive branch. Senate Bill 4 would merge the State Board of Elections with the State Ethics Commission and create a new eight-member board split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Current law gives a majority of the state elections board’s five members to the governor’s party.
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