Session Updates
| North Carolina  | May 15, 2012 Regular Session Convenes Lawmakers return Wednesday to convene the 2012 regular session. Legislators are expected to consider adjustments to the $19.9 billion biennial state budget (approved in 2011), as well as natural gas fracking, voter identification requirements, a Cherokee gaming compact, and teacher tenure reforms. Lawmakers also have regulatory reform, drug liability restrictions, and conceal-carry issues on the agenda. The session is expected to last through the end of June.
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Minnesota | May 11, 2012 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session late Thursday after reaching agreement on a $975 million stadium plan for the Minnesota Vikings football team. To alleviate the taxpayers' financial burden, the deal requires the team to pay $477 million, which is just below 50 percent of the total cost. Charitable gambling will be expanded to help finance the state's $348 million commitment. The proposal now moves to the Minneapolis City Council for their consideration. Sources indicate that the council is very likely to endorse the plan. Legislators also approved a $46 million tax cut package to stimulate economic development, which includes business property tax breaks and tax credits for firms that hire veterans. Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) had previously vetoed a $200 million measure. Governor Dayton -- who possesses a pocket veto -- has until May 24 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Iowa | May 10, 2012 Regular Session Adjourns The legislature adjourned Wednesday --– three weeks later than scheduled -- after lawmakers reached agreement on a $6.2 billion budget that leaves more than $600 million in reserve. Legislators also approved an early childhood literacy initiative, increased penalties for failing to stop for a school bus, created an open meetings and records board, and funded flood prevention projects. As the session adjourned, lawmakers did not reach agreement on a property tax reduction measure, an increase in the gas tax, a "stand-your-ground”"firearms bill, and bans on traffic cameras and Internet gambling. Governor Terry Branstad (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until June 12 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Connecticut | May 10, 2012 2012 Session Adjourns; Special Session Pending Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session Wednesday after reaching agreement on a $20.5 billion budget, legalization of marijuana for adults, gradual abolition of the death penalty, and Sunday sales of alcohol. Legislators also approved an education bill designed to close the state's achievement gap between wealthy and poor students. As the session adjourned, lawmakers did not reach agreement on a minimum wage increase and a jobs bill that expands business assistance programs. The General Assembly is expected to return for a special session in June to complete consideration of the budget implementation bills and a debt fix for an anti-pollution program. Governor Dannel Malloy (D) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has 15 days upon transmittal to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Colorado | May 10, 2012 Regular Session Ends; Special Session Announced The legislature adjourned the 2012 regular session late Wednesday after lawmakers reached agreement on enhanced school discipline, restricting bath salts as a controlled substance, and reduced penalties for certain drug-possession offenses. Legislators also approved measures to increase child literacy, restrictions on enterprise zones, and legislation to balance the state's reliance on energy sources. As the session ended, several measures failed to get approval; including civil unions for gay couples, voter identification enforcement, economic development, and water projects. This prompted Governor John Hickenlooper (D) to call a special session for May 14 in order to continue consideration on the matters. Governor Hickenlooper -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until June 8 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Vermont | May 07, 2012 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session Saturday after reaching agreement on a $5 billion state budget without spending cuts and a new redistricting plan to reflect the 2010 census. Legislators also approved an overhaul of the mental health system due to recent flooding, $600 million in funding for infrastructure improvements, and parameters to establish a health insurance exchange under the new health care law. Also passed was a package of environmental measures; including a ban on hydraulic fracturing, mandated recycling, and renewable energy project incentives. As the session adjourned, lawmakers did not agree on Governor Peter Shumlin’s (D) proposal to allow the state police to combat drug abuse by accessing the prescription drug database without a warrant. Governor Shumlin -- who possesses a pocket veto -- has three days upon presentment to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Hawaii | May 04, 2012 2012 Session Ends Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session Thursday after reaching agreement on an $11.2 billion state budget and a $3.2 billion infrastructure improvement appropriation, with an emphasis on restoring previously-cut spending and economic development. Legislators also approved a measure to allow the state chief information officer to upgrade the state's technology apparatus, an overhaul of the early learning system and charter schools, enhancements for fighting cybercrimes such as identity theft and computer fraud, and mandatory certification for certain coffee growers. Governor Neil Abercrombie (D) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until July 1 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Arizona | May 04, 2012 Regular Session Adjourns The Legislature concluded its 2012 regular session Thursday after lawmakers reached final agreement on a package of personal income, business, and capital-gains tax cuts. Legislators also approved a measure to streamline the process for terminating state employees, financing for infrastructure improvements, and a prohibition against passive resistance to law enforcement. As the session ended, lawmakers could not reach agreement on a measure to transfer police powers in Colorado City to Mohave County, as well as film and television tax credits. Governor Jan Brewer (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has 10 days upon transmittal (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto legislation that reaches her desk. Find out more: |
Mississippi | May 03, 2012 Regular Session Ends The Legislature ended the 2012 regular session Thursday. Lawmakers approved several measures; including a new redistricting plan to replect the 2010 census, a $5.6 billion state budget, restrictions on the state's abortion clinic, and workers compensation changes. As the session concluded, lawmakers were unable to agree on a long-term infrastructure improvement bond package, expansion of charter schools, or enhanced immigration enforcement. Governor Phil Bryant (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has 15 days upon transmittal (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Tennessee | May 02, 2012 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session Tuesday after reaching agreement on a $31 billion state budget that relies primarily on spending cuts. Legislators also approved drug testing and legal status checks for certain welfare recipients, elimination of the gift tax on large grants, a phase-out of the inheritance tax, and lower taxes on food. Civil service reforms, an overhaul of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, and a strengthened abstinence-based sex education curriculum also reached the governor's desk. As the session concluded, lawmakers did not agree on participation in an interstate compact to challenge the federal health care law, and a prohibition on banning guns in company parking lots. Governor Bill Haslam (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has 10 days upon transmittal (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Alaska | May 01, 2012 Special Session Adjourns House lawmakers adjourned the special session Monday after reaching an impasse on Governor Sean Parnell's (R) proposals to decrease oil taxes and establish a natural gas pipeline. Indicating little support for the gas pipeline, the Senate previously adjourned April 26 after the governor removed the oil-tax proposal from the agenda. Despite such disagreements, legislators approved a sex trafficking prohibition measure advocated by the governor.
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Kentucky | April 21, 2012 Regular Session Ends; Special Session Concludes Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session April 12 without approving a major road-construction plan and a measure to combat prescription drug abuse. The disagreement prompted Governor Steve Beshear (D) to call a special session for April 16 to address the lingering issues. The governor's proposal requires additional regulations for pain management clinics and transfers responsibility for electronic prescription reporting from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the attorney general. The General Assembly also decided not to consider an override of any gubernatorial vetoes. During the session, legislators passed a new biennial state budget, however failed to approve an increase in the school drop-out age and expanded gambling. The governor -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until April 24 to sign or veto legislation passed yesterday. UPDATE (04/20/12): Lawmakers adjourned the special session Friday after approving a $4.5 billion transportation budget and a measure to retain the electronic monitoring of prescriptions in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Find out more: |
Virginia | April 19, 2012 Session Update The General Assembly reconvened the regular session yesterday to consider Governor Bob McDonnell's (R) vetoes. Lawmakers partially rejected the governor's edits to voter identification legislation, but approved his changes to several pension system measures. None of the governor's seven outright vetoes were overridden. Lawmakers also reconvened the special session and passed an $85 billion state budget after Senator Charles Colgan (D) broke the 39-day stalemate and voted to approve the Republicans' spending plan. The spending plan is now in the hands of the governor, who has seven days upon transmittal to sign or veto the measure. Find out more: |
Nebraska | April 19, 2012 Session Adjourns The legislature adjourned sine die yesterday after lawmakers overrode two vetoes from Governor Dave Heineman (R), restoring pre-natal care funding for certain mothers and allowing cities to vote on local option sales tax increases up to 0.5 percent. Legislators failed to override two vetoes: one to allow pari-mutuel betting on certain races at horse race tracks and another to provide school-based health clinic funding. During the session, Senators also approved a new state budget, funding for veterinary diagnostics and cancer research, and updated truancy procedures. Voter ID and a repeal of the death penalty failed to make it to the governor's desk.
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| Alaska | April 16, 2012 2012 Session Ends; Special Session Called Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session early Monday without reaching agreement on oil taxes, the intrastate gas line, and a human-trafficking measure; prompting Governor Sean Parnell (R) to call a special session April 18 to further consider the issues. Legislators did complete work on the state operating and capital budgets, film tax credits, a long-term funding vehicle for student scholarships, and an insurance requirement for minors with autism. Governor Parnell -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has 20 days upon transmittal (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk.
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Washington | April 11, 2012 Special Sessions Adjourn After allowing the first special session to expire late yesterday evening, lawmakers met for a one-day second special session Wednesday, reaching a final agreement on a supplemental budget estimated to close a $500 million spending gap. Generally, the budget relies on a temporary control of local sales taxes, eliminates a tax break on banks, and leaves approximately $320 million in reserves. The general agreement includes $1 billion for infrastructure improvements and a requirement for state budgets to adhere to certain anticipated revenue forecasts. Also approved were measures that change health insurance benefits for public school employees and curtail early retirement benefits for state employees.
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Maryland | April 10, 2012 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session late Monday evening after approving a basic $35 billion state budget. However, they could not agree on a tax increase (from one-quarter to three quarters of a percent) to finance the new spending, prompting legislative leaders to indicate that a special session to resolve the matter was likely. Legislators also approved mandatory education spending levels for counties, doubling the so-called "flush tax" to finance sewer plant upgrades, online privacy protections for prospective employees, and same-sex marriage. The same-sex marriage law is likely to face a voter referendum in November. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a sales tax on gasoline, a one-point hike in the sales tax for infrastructure improvements, off-shore wind power, and a new casino in Prince George's County. Governor Martin O'Malley (D) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until May 29 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Idaho | March 30, 2012 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session late Thursday after approving a $35 million tax cut package for corporations and high earners that restores funding for teachers and rainy-day needs. Legislators also approved education reforms, improved ethics requirements, and a measure to restrict certain protests, which was later overturned in the courts. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement on requiring those seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound of the fetus. Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until April 11 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk.
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Georgia | March 30, 2012 2012 Session Ends
2012 Session Ends The 2012 regular session ended late Thursday after lawmakers approved an overhaul of the state's criminal justice procedures, increased access under the open records law, and funding for charter schools. Legislators also approved a cut in unemployment benefits, and further restrictions on abortion, including a measure to prevent abortions under the "fetal pain" standard and a five-month limit except for cases of defects or a health threat to the mother. As the session ended, legislation to prevent union picketing in front of executives' homes failed. Governor Nathan Deal (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until May 9 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Florida | March 28, 2012 Special Session Ends Lawmakers concluded the special session after approving a new Senate district boundary proposal. A previous plan was invalidated by the state Supreme Court, which upheld the new House district lines.Lawmakers adjourned the 2012 regular session March 12 after reaching agreement on a $70 billion state budget that creates a new state university and closes six prisons. Legislators also approved a measure to reduce Medicaid payments to hospitals, random drug testing of state workers, and legislation to combat fraud in the state’s personal injury protection (PIP) car insurance program. As the session adjourned, lawmakers could not reach agreement on a plan to allow parents to convert certain failing schools into charter schools, mandated use of E-Verify to combat illegal immigration, and a ban on texting while driving. Governor Rick Scott (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until May 5 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
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