Minnesota Democrats ask state Supreme Court to resolve state House power struggle
The Associated Press
Minnesota Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon and House Democrats have asked the state’s highest court to intervene in a legislative partisan power struggle. Simon petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court late Tuesday to declare that he legally remains the presiding officer in the Minnesota House, for now, and that Tuesday’s election of GOP leader Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, as speaker was invalid.
Wisconsin state legislature places voter ID question on April ballot
Washington Examiner
The Wisconsin state legislature passed a proposal that could enshrine voter ID requirements in the state constitution if Wisconsin voters support it at the ballot box in April. The proposal passed 54 to 45 along party lines in the state Assembly, with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats against.
West Virginia governor axes DEI and enacts vaccine exemptions on first full day in office
CBS News
West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a slew of aggressive executive orders on his first full day as West Virginia’s chief executive Tuesday, including one enabling families to receive religious exemptions from required school vaccinations and another order calling for the termination of all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, initiatives from state-run institutions.
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming are in regular session. The District of Columbia Council and U.S. Congress are also in session.
New Jersey adjourned its 2024 legislative session on January 14.
The following states are expected to convene for the 2025 legislative session on the dates provided: Alaska, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah (January 21); Nevada and Oklahoma (February 3); Alabama (February 4); West Virginia (February 12); Florida (March 4) and Louisiana (April 14).
California gaveled in its ongoing special session on January 9. According to KCRA, the special session, which had been in recess since the end of last year, is meant to provide the state’s Department of Justice with an extra $25 million to prepare for legal battles with the Trump administration. However, Democratic leaders have expanded the session to also address the wildfires in the southern part of the state and are planning to provide $2.5 billion in relief efforts through legislation in the session.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron Desantis has announced a special session scheduled to begin on January 27 to address illegal immigration. CBS News reports, Governor Desantis is planning the special session for the week after President Donald Trump’s inauguration so that the state can implement the incoming president’s new policies on immigration. Desantis explained the session, saying, “State and local officials in Florida must help the Trump administration enforce our nation’s immigration laws.” The session will also address other issues, including hurricane recovery and the ballot initiative process.
Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine had until January 10 to act on legislation or it became law without signature.
District of Columbia Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has 10 days from presentment, weekends excepted, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey has 10 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has 14 days from presentment to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has 45 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature.
Interim Committees/Prefiles
The following states are currently holding interim committee hearings: Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma House and Senate, Oregon and West Virginia.
The following states are currently posting bill drafts, prefiles and interim studies: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah.
Special Elections
The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on January 28: Iowa Senate District 35 and Minnesota House District 40B and Senate District 60.
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