Session Updates
| West Virginia  | June 18, 2013 Miley Elected Speaker Delegate Tim Miley (D) has been elected as the new Speaker of the House, succeeding Richard Thompson (D), who stepped down mid-term to become Secretary of Veterans Assistance.
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Arizona | June 14, 2013 Regular, Special Sessions Adjourn After approving an $8.8 billion state budget with a Medicaid expansion plan proposed by Governor Jan Brewer (R), lawmakers adjourned the special session Thursday and the 2013 regular session early Friday. The agreements on the legislation came after several moderate Republicans in both chambers joined with the minority Democrats. Several amendments failed, including measures to repeal the hospital assessment, restrict abortions, and induce roll-back triggers. Before adjourning, legislators also approved a measure to streamline the sales tax collection process for businesses and enhanced penalties for unemployment insurance fraud. Lawmakers could not reach agreement on a package of electoral law changes. Governor Brewer -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until June 26 to sign or veto legislation that reaches her desk. Find out more: |
| Arizona | June 12, 2013 Special Session Called Governor Jan Brewer (R) called a sudden special session late yesterday to resolve the impasse on both the state budget as well as Medicaid expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act. The special session allows certain regular session rules to be abandoned in order to streamline consideration. The special session is expected to adjourn June 13.
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Washington | June 12, 2013 Special Session Update Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a new spending plan (due June 30) by the June 11 special session deadline. The impasse prompted Governor Jay Inslee (D) to call a second special session in order to continue deliberations.
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Louisiana | June 07, 2013 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2013 regular session yesterday after approving a new state budget and continued funding for the school voucher program, as well as increased education funding. Legislators also approved further protections for firearm owners and a measure prohibiting the state from collecting fines from Crescent City Connection toll violations. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on elimination of the income tax, Medicaid expansion, and a measure to halt privatization of the state's public hospitals. Governor Bobby Jindal (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has 20 days upon transmittal to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Illinois | June 06, 2013 Special Session Called Governor Pat Quinn (D) has called lawmakers back to the capitol June 19 to address the state's pension fund shortfall, currently estimated to be $100 billion. The governor issued the call after Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service both downgraded the state's bond rating in response to the legislature not approving a pension reform measure during the regular session.
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Nebraska | June 06, 2013 Regular Session Ends The 2013 regular session adjourned late yesterday, after lawmakers approved a new state budget -- with a $627 million rainy-day fund and no tax increases -- as well as tax breaks for wind energy equipment and an in-state tuition freeze at state colleges. Legislators also approved an overhaul of the juvenile justice system, including increased in-home rehabilitation and family involvement in lieu of incarceration. As the session adjourned, lawmakers were unable to agree on a shift from income to sales taxes, Medicaid expansion, repealing the death penalty, water management, and aid to public schools. During the interim, legislators will study these issues as well as others. Governor Dave Heineman (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has five days upon transmittal to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Connecticut | June 06, 2013 2013 Session Adjourns Lawmakers concluded the 2013 regular session late yesterday after approving firearms restrictions, an increase in the minimum wage and gas taxes, driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, and increased regulations for coastal storm management. Legislators also approved sustained funding for municipalities, labeling for genetically modified food (if approved by certain other states), teacher evaluations based on student performance, and increased funding for community health centers. As the session ended, lawmakers could not reach agreement on eliminating the motor vehicle tax and the 20 percent surcharge on the corporation tax, as well as deregulating land-line telecommunications. 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: |
Nevada | June 04, 2013 Regular Session Adjourns; Special Session Called Lawmakers adjourned the 2013 regular session late yesterday after approving driver's licenses for illegal aliens, online poker, universal background checks for firearm purchases, and a measure to allow police to take DNA swabs of felony suspects. Legislators also approved increased penalties for child trafficking, hate crime designation for offenses deemed to be a result of gender identity, and a constitutional amendment allowing same-sex marriage (subject to approval next session and voter ratification). As the session ended, legalized recreational marijuana, medically accurate sex education, conceal-carry on college campuses, and voter ID failed. Lawmakers also could not reach agreement on a measure to allow Clark County to increase the local sales tax for law enforcement, sales tax abatements for aircraft, and reduced class sizes. Citing the unfinished business of the legislature, Governor Brian Sandoval (R) called it back for a one-day special session to consider these issues. Governor Sandoval -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until June 14 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Kansas | June 03, 2013 Floor Sessions End Lawmakers concluded normal floor sessions early Sunday after approving a new $14.5 billion biennial budget that cuts funding to education and prisons, and a plan to keep the state sales tax at 6.15 percent, rather than allowing it to revert to 5.7 percent. The plan also decreases income taxes over five years and restores a food sales tax rebate program. As the floor sessions ended, legislators could not reach agreement on a measure to limit the national "Common Core" educational standards. Lawmakers will return to the capitol June 20 to ceremonially adjourn sine die. Find out more: |
| Illinois | June 03, 2013 Regular Session Ends The 2013 regular session adjourned late Friday after lawmakers approved a new state budget that keeps education and human services funding at current levels. Legislators also approved a conceal-carry firearms measure and regulations for fracking natural gas. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a gambling expansion measure, same-sex marriage, a solution to the current $100 billion pension debt, as well as a plan to transfer state pension costs to downstate school districts and colleges. Governor Pat Quinn (D) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has 60 days upon transmittal to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Texas | May 28, 2013 Regular Session Ends; Special Session Called Lawmakers concluded the 2013 regular session yesterday after approving a $197 billion state budget, $4 billion in restored funding for schools, $1 billion in tax decreases, and lessened standardized testing. Legislators also approved water infrastructure improvements and sufficient funding for the rainy day fund. As the regular session concluded, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on redistricting, as well as several social issues, such as abortion curtailment, drug testing for welfare recipients, school choice, and firearms in schools. Such issues may be considered in a special session -- which lacks the normal two-thirds vote threshold in the Senate -- that began shortly after the regular session adjourned. Find out more: |
Oklahoma | May 28, 2013 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2013 regular session Friday after approving a new $7.1 billion state budget, tax relief for the recent tornado victims, and funding for repairs to the capitol building. Earlier in the session, legislators passed a personal income tax rate decrease and an overhaul of the state workers' compensation system. As the session concluded, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on expanded health insurance for low-income residents. Governor Mary Fallin (R) -- who possesses a pocket veto -- has until June 8 to sign or veto legislation that reaches her desk. Find out more: |
Iowa | May 23, 2013 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2013 regular session today, after approving health care expansion for low-income residents, as well as tax cuts on earned income and property. Legislators also approved a new system for evaluating teachers and funding for debt reduction. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a ban on state funding for abortions under Medicaid. Governor Terry Branstad (R) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until June 29 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk.
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Massachusetts | May 23, 2013 Lieutenant Governor Murray Resigns Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray (D) has resigned to enter the private sector. No immediate plans to replace him have been announced.
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Minnesota | May 21, 2013 Regular Session Adjourns The 2013 regular session adjourned late last night as lawmakers approved increases in the state income and cigarette taxes, as well as $585 million in funding for all-day kindergarten programs by 2014. Legislators also approved same-sex marriage, funding for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium, and in-state tuition levels for illegal immigrants. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on an increase in the state minimum wage, an increase in alcohol, gasoline, and sales taxes, as well as a legislative pay raise. Governor Mark Dayton (D) -- who possesses a pocket veto -- has until June 3 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Alabama | May 21, 2013 2013 Session Ends Lawmakers adjourned the 2013 regular session late Monday after approving the Education Trust Fund and General Fund budgets, which include a two percent raise for teachers. Legislators also approved measures to strengthen gun rights, enhance school security, and increased intervention powers for superintendents in failing school districts. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on delayed implementation of school tax credits and scholarships, creation of a joint committee on legislative operations, and drug testing for welfare recipients. Governor Robert Bentley (R) -- who possesses a pocket veto -- has until May 30 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Missouri | May 20, 2013 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers ended floor sessions for the 2013 regular session Friday after approving a $700 million tax cut, including decreases in the income tax and increased education spending, as well as a measure to inhibit dues collection from public-sector employees. Legislators also revitalized the Second Injury Fund (for disabled workers), and passed measures to render federal gun laws unenforceable, intervene in failing school districts sooner, and change the prevailing wage formula. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a measure to curtail business tax credits, accepting $900 million in funding for Medicaid expansion, increased scrutiny for school teachers, and a sales tax increase to fund infrastructure improvements. The legislature will meet May 30 for a technical session and is expected to adjourn sine die accordingly. Find out more: |
Vermont | May 15, 2013 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers adjourned the 2013 regular session yesterday after approving a $1.4 billion general fund budget without raising taxes, including a more progressive income tax. Legislators also approved measures to decriminalize certain amounts of marijuana and hashish, allow physicians to provide lethal medications to terminally ill patients, and allow illegal immigrants to obtain special drivers licenses. The legislature also increased license fees for barbers and cosmetologists. As the session ended, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on campaign contribution limits and a measure to provide more transparency in campaign finances. Governor Peter Shumlin (D) -- who possesses a pocket veto -- has three days upon transmittal to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
Colorado | May 09, 2013 Regular Session Adjourns Lawmakers wrapped up the 2013 regular session Wednesday, after approving recreational marijuana, same-sex marriage, stricter gun control measures (such as limited magazine capacity and universal background checks), and drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. Legislators also approved $20 million in funding to overhaul the response to mental health crises, same-day voter registration, as well as income and child tax credits for lower-income families. As the session adjourned, lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on increased penalties for violations of the state oil and gas laws. Governor John Hickenlooper (D) -- who does not possess a pocket veto -- has until June 8 to sign or veto legislation that reaches his desk. Find out more: |
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