What Cities Need to Know about Second Half of the 2018 Legislative Year
May 2, 2018
The session is two weeks shorter in 2018 because this is an election year. The Legislature must conclude its business by midnight on Friday, Aug. 31. The Governor will then have until Sept. 30 to sign or veto bills on his desk. Between now and the end of the session, there are a number of important milestones and deadlines cities should track carefully.
The Governor is expected to present his revised FY 2018–19 state budget within the next week. Although legislative budget committees have already begun hearings in the Capitol, the May Revise will begin the more serious budget discussions and hearings. The Legislature must send the Governor a budget by June 15 for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Appropriations committee hearings in both houses are now in full swing with the April 27 deadline for policy committees to hear fiscal bills a few weeks past. The appropriations committees must finish hearing all fiscal bills by May 25. May 11 is the last day for policy committees to hear non-fiscal bills.
With June 1 being the House of Origin deadline (bills introduced in one house must pass to the second house), no policy committees will meet the week of May 29. Floor sessions only will be held May 29–June 1. Legislative policy committees begin again the week of June 4. June 29 is the next fiscal bill deadline.
June 28 is another important date. This is the last day that a legislative measure can qualify for the November statewide ballot.
The Legislature will adjourn on July 6 for its summer recess and resume Aug. 6 for the final four weeks of session.
Cities should be ready to advocate on League priority bills.
The Governor is expected to present his revised FY 2018–19 state budget within the next week. Although legislative budget committees have already begun hearings in the Capitol, the May Revise will begin the more serious budget discussions and hearings. The Legislature must send the Governor a budget by June 15 for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Appropriations committee hearings in both houses are now in full swing with the April 27 deadline for policy committees to hear fiscal bills a few weeks past. The appropriations committees must finish hearing all fiscal bills by May 25. May 11 is the last day for policy committees to hear non-fiscal bills.
With June 1 being the House of Origin deadline (bills introduced in one house must pass to the second house), no policy committees will meet the week of May 29. Floor sessions only will be held May 29–June 1. Legislative policy committees begin again the week of June 4. June 29 is the next fiscal bill deadline.
June 28 is another important date. This is the last day that a legislative measure can qualify for the November statewide ballot.
The Legislature will adjourn on July 6 for its summer recess and resume Aug. 6 for the final four weeks of session.
Cities should be ready to advocate on League priority bills.