Also meeting: PUERTO RICO and UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Texas - Special session on redistricting convenes September 20.
Oregon - Upcoming special session on redistricting scheduled for September 20.
Pennsylvania - In recess until September 20.
New Jersey - In recess until November 1.
South Dakota - Upcoming special session on redistricting scheduled for November 8.
Idaho - In extended recess until December 31.
STATE AND LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
TRENDING NEWS:
Special Election Set to Fill Alabama House Seat Vacated By Lawmaker’s Death
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) has set the dates for a special election to fill the Alabama House seat vacated by the death of Rep. Thad McClammy, D-Montgomery. The primary will be November 16, with a runoff, if necessary, on December 14. The special general election will be March 1. The deadline for candidates to qualify with the Democratic and Republican parties is September 14 at 5PM. The deadline for independent and/or minor party candidates to qualify is November 16 at 5PM.
Special election set for Georgia House District 165
Georgia Brian Kemp (R) announced a special election on September 3 to fill late Rep. Mickey Stephen’s seat. The Georgia District House 165 representative recently passed away at the age of 77 after battling health issues in recent years. Governor Kemp signed off on November 2 for the special election and a runoff will be held on November 30, if needed. The last day to register to vote in the special election will be October 4, and advance in-person absentee voting would begin on October 12. The 165th District includes portions of Savannah’s east side and Historic District down to Vernonburg and Montgomery.
STATE LEGISLATURES MEETING THIS WEEK:
MASSACHUSETTS
The Joint Education Committee will hold a hearing on September 20 regards Massachusetts HB 553. This measure reduces barriers to education and career opportunities. This measure also authorizes the issuance of a Commonwealth diploma to students who demonstrate subject matter competency by passing state assessment tests, including MCAS, and authorizes the issuance of a Horace Mann diploma to student who satisfy local school committee requirements. The measure also allows students to receive both diplomas and entitles students who receive of either diploma to graduate.
Contact: Sophia Tailor
The Joint Education Committee will hold a hearing on September 20 regarding Massachusetts HB 570. This measure places a moratorium on high stakes testing. This measure suspends the requirement to demonstrate mastery of common core skills via the MCAS, student learning measures, and mandated state standardized assessments for three full school years. DESE must establish a grant program supporting school district task forces in developing alternative assessment models and limits said task forces to one quarter of districts.
Contact: Sophia Tailor
The Joint Education Committee will hold a hearing on September 20 regarding Massachusetts HB 644. This measure relates to equity and inclusion in education. This measure requires, starting July 1, 2021, assessments of school performance to measure "authentic" student growth in English, math, science, and social studies, through mechanisms such as computer-adaptive assessments. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education must establish regulations requiring leveled education options for students in K-12 according to their demonstrated achievement. This measure also requires the use of computer-adaptive assessments to determine appropriate instruction levels and prohibits discrimination against students according to age.
Contact: Sophia Tailor
PENNSYLVANIA
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on September 21 regarding Pennsylvania SB 749. This measure is outlining the circumstances under which disclosure of medical marijuana use may be required for safety-sensitive positions and provide guidance on use of medical marijuana in the workplace. This measure states a patient may not perform any employment duties at heights or in confined spaces, including, but not limited to, mining while under the influence of medical marijuana. Also, a patient may be prohibited by an employer from performing any task which the employer deems life threatening, to either the employee or any of the employees of the employer, while under the influence of medical marijuana. The prohibition will not be deemed an adverse employment decision even if the prohibition results in financial harm for the patient.
Contact: Shaili Banerjee
NORTH CAROLINA
The House Finance Committee will hold a hearing on September 23 regarding North Carolina HB 792. This measure amends the "Barber and Electrolysis Practice Act" by eliminating the NC Board of Barber Examiners and establishes the seven-member NC Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners. This measure states provides for licensure to practice barbering rather than certificates of registration, and expands shop permitting to include mobile barbershops. No longer requires applications for examination to include proof of the applicant's qualifications under oath, or places a deadline to require applications to be submitted at least 30 days before the examination. Modifies the qualifications for licensure of applicants who hold a license in another state to require the applicant to have practices one of the last five immediately preceding years.
Contact: Robert Phillips
LOCAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
OREGON
On September 20, 2021, the Keizer City Council will discuss an ordinance relating to telecommunications and right-of-way regulation and collection of fees.
Contact: Thomas Cawley
NEVADA
On September 21, 2021, the Clark County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing and consider adopting an ordinance imposing a fee to be charged and collected when a passenger car is shared through a peer-to-peer car-sharing program.
Contact: Thomas Cawley
CALIFORNIA
On September 21, 2021, the South Lake Tahoe City Council will consider adopting an ordinance temporarily waiving penalties and fees for late remittance of transient occupancy tax and business license fees.
Contact: Stephanie Rojo
On September 22, 2021, the Long Beach Technology and Innovation Commission will conduct a study session to evaluate the use of facial recognition technology and discuss privacy considerations, best practices, and regulatory approaches regarding the City's use of facial recognition technology.
Contact: Thomas Cawley
MISSOURI
On September 23, 2021, the Kansas City Council will consider, on the final reading, an ordinance to prohibit the City from conducting pre-employment testing for marijuana and to establish exceptions to that prohibition.
Contact: Thomas Cawley
GROUPS
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
Annual Meeting
Louisville, KY
September 19-22
Contact: Michael Behm
National Association of State Treasurers
Annual Meeting
Chicago, IL
Republican Lieutenant Governors Association
Fall Meeting
Charleston, SC
September 21-22
Contact: Kiley Smith
