The Massachusetts Legislature adjourned its formal session on July 31 with a flurry of activity.

Lawmakers passed several significant pieces of legislation, including a campaign finance law requiring certain independent expenditure-only committees to disclose their top five contributors, a law regulating services like Uber and Lyft, and bills funding state infrastructure projects.

The Legislature will continue to hold informal sessions until the body is adjourned sine die in January of 2017.

Photo of the Massachusetts State Capitol by Fcb981 on Wikimedia Commons.

The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 11, 2016, a day earlier than scheduled. Among its accomplishments is a new, two-year $105 billion budget and some adjustments to the new ethics rules passed last year.

If approved by the governor, lobbyists will file reports annually on July 1 for the preceding 12-month period, rather than the current semi-annual reporting, and items under $20 would be excluded from the definition of a gift.

Other, more extensive changes were proposed but were defeated in the House.

Photo of the Virginia State Capitol by Varmin on Wikimedia Commons.

On November 18, a special one-day session of the New Hampshire Legislature convened and adjourned after considering establishing funding for programs to battle the state’s rising use of heroin and other drugs. Lawmakers agreed to the creation of a joint Legislative task force to formulate legislation addressing drug abuse issues in the state.

According to the Union Leader, the task force will focus on several areas concerning illegal substance abuse, including “standardizing insurance company treatment authorization, enhancing the prescription drug monitoring program, [and] expanding drug courts.” The task force is expected to issue a final report on January 6, 2016.

Photo of the New Hampshire State House by AlexiusHoratius on Wikipedia.

The First Regular Session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on May 22, 2015, one week ahead of its scheduled deadline.

The Second Session will convene on February 1, 2016.

Photo of the Oklahoma State Capitol by Caleb Long on Wikimedia Commons.

On April 3, the Arizona Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die.

Gov. Doug Ducey has until April 15 to sign or veto legislation.

The governor does not have a pocket veto.

Photo of the Arizona State Capitol by Jeff Dean on Wikimedia Commons.

The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2015 session sine die on March 12, 2015. Governor Gary Herbert has until April 1 to veto or sign legislation. The Governor does not possess a pocket veto. The normal effective date for bills passed this year is May 12.

Photo of the Utah State Capitol by Robert Cutts on Wikimedia Commons.

The Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 6, 2015, after passing two campaign finance bills.

House Bill 38 was originally filed to remove all contribution limits for political action committees (PACs), but amendments to the bill keep a $5,000 limit from a PAC to any candidate who is not a statewide candidate.

House Bill 39 repeals the state’s aggregate contribution limits, which conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission.

Photo of the Wyoming State Capitol by Matthew Trump on Wikimedia Commons.

The first regular session of the 127th Maine Legislature convened on December 3, 2014. Legislators were sworn in by Gov. Paul LePage, including Republican Cathy Manchester.

Manchester was given a provisional seat in the Senate pending the resolution of the disputed election results from state Senate District 25. A special committee will review the results next week and determine the true victor.

In closing the swearing in ceremony, LePage said, “Sharpen your pencils and let’s get to work.”

Photo of the Maine State House by Albany NY on Wikimedia Commons.

On October 8, 2014, the Delaware Senate convened a special legislative session.

Gov. Jack Markell called the special session to confirm a new state Supreme Court justice.

The Nevada Legislature adjourned its special session on September 11, 2014, after sending four bills to the governor.

The four bills were a tax incentive package designed to bring a Tesla Motors battery factory to the state.

Photo of the Nevada Legislature courtesy of Dave Parker on Wikimedia Commons.

Despite the adjournment of the Maine Legislature on May 2, 2014, legislators are still debating issues.

Republican leaders are urging Democrats to reconvene for a special session to address a funding crisis for the state’s nursing homes.

Gov. Phil Bryant has called a special session of the Mississippi Legislature to begin May 8, 2014, to make appropriations for the state’s share of disaster relief for tornado damage.

The National Weather Service reported 23 tornadoes touched down in Mississippi on April 28, killing 14 people and damaging hundreds of buildings.

State and local governments are required to match one-eighth of federal aid dollars.

The Arizona Legislature adjourned its session sine die at 1:46 a.m. Thursday, April 24.

Gov. Jan Brewer has 10 days to sign or veto legislation transmitted to her or the legislation becomes law automatically.

The General Assembly adjourned late Monday, April 7, 2014, after approving bills to decriminalize marijuana and raise the state minimum wage.

Legislators also approved two lobbying bills addressing ethics training requirements and lobbyist certifications of authorization to lobby.

The new lobbying requirements in Senate Bill 92 and Senate Bill 90 will be effective October 1, 2014, unless Gov. Martin O’Malley vetoes the measures by May 27, 2014.