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Welcome to FOCUS' COVID-19 Briefing. Visit our website housing these resources at: https://www.leoninepublicaffairs.com/covid-19-briefing/. This site is accessible to the public via that link and also accessible to clients within their FOCUS databases via the "Coronavirus Updates" menu on the left.

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NEW: FOCUS' 50-State Budget Overview tracks states that have announced budget freezes as part of their response to the coronavirus.

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FOCUS' Shelter in Place Orders & Essential Business Designations Chart details which states have issued orders to close “nonessential” businesses, and those that have issued official Shelter in Place Orders that prohibit residents from leaving their home.


Stay-at-Home Orders & Business Reopening Headlines


As of the morning of May 5, 32 states and the District of Columbia have active shelter in place orders and Puerto Rico is currently under curfew. States without orders or expired orders include: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.


States with orders expiring soon include North Carolina, several counties in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island on May 8. Mississippi’s order will expire on May 11. South Carolina’s order became voluntary on May 4 and will expire on May 12.


Colorado: Colorado Public Radio: Colorado COVID-19 Progress Update As Stay-Home, Safer At Home Orders Change Rules For Residents Often: Keep It Up, Polis Says


Montana: Press Herald: Deferring to state rules, Portland councilors repeal city’s stay-at-home order


Pennsylvania: Penn Live: Gov. Tom Wolf talks about coronavirus and reopening more of Pennsylvania


Rhode Island: WPRI: Here’s how Raimondo’s plan to gradually reopen RI’s economy works


South Carolina: The Post and Courier: SC to stop enforcing stay-at-home order, allow outdoor dining as coronavirus limits ease


Stay-at-Home Order Status as of 5/5/2020

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Upcoming Stay-at-Home Order Expirations

   
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Expiration of Shelter in Place Orders

The date listed is the date the order expires, which is not necessarily

the date on which the state/businesses will reopen. (last updated 4/29 at 4:55pm EST)

 

May 8

North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island

May 11

Mississippi

May 12

South Carolina

May 15

Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, New York and Vermont

May 18

Massachusetts and Minnesota

May 20

Connecticut

May 23

Indiana

May 25

Puerto Rico (curfew)

May 26

Wisconsin

May 30

Illinois

May 29

Ohio

May 31

Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire and Washington

June 10

Virginia

Indefinite

Alaska, California, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon and West Virginia

No order/ Order expired  

Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming

 


     

FOCUS' COVID-19 State Session Updates Chart lists which states are in session or have suspended operations, and whether hearings, crossover deadlines and other key processes are impacted. 

COVID-19 State Session Updates
   

who's in session

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Session Info


Alabama, California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio House, Pennsylvania and Vermont are in regular session. The District of Columbia Council, the Puerto Rico House and the U.S. Congress are also in regular session.

 

The following legislatures are postponing their 2020 legislative sessions due to COVID-19 until the dates provided: Ohio Senate (May 6), Puerto Rico Senate (May 11), Illinois Senate, Rhode Island and South Carolina (May 12), Delaware and Iowa (May 15), Colorado, Mississippi and North Carolina (May 18), Tennessee (June 1) and Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois House, Kansas, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York and Wisconsin (TBD).

 

Oklahoma is meeting in a special session beginning May 5 under the direction of Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt’s executive order issued on May 1. Lawmakers have stated that they will be addressing policy bills after first considering the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, reports NonDoc.

 

Iowa’s Administrative Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on May 8 via video conference call. Virginia’s General Assembly Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet on May 18.

 

Tennessee was scheduled to adjourn on April 30 but will now adjourn on a date to be decided. Mississippi was scheduled to adjourn on May 3 but will now adjourn on a date to be decided.

 

The following states have upcoming adjournments scheduled but are likely to postpone in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Colorado (May 6), Hawaii (May 7) and South Carolina (May 14).

 

Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has until May 7 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson has 20 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Connecticut Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont must act on legislation within 15 days of presentment or it becomes law without signature. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has 15 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has 10 days from presentment, Sundays excepted, to act or legislation becomes law without signature. Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills must act on legislation presented within 10 days of adjournment or it becomes law unless returned within three days after the next meeting of the same legislature.

 

The following states are currently holding 2020 interim committee hearings: Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.

 

Special Elections

 

The following seats will be filled by special elections on the dates provided: Massachusetts Second Hampden and Hampshire and Plymouth and Barnstable Senate districts and Thirty-seventh Middlesex and Third Bristol House districts (June 2), Georgia Senate District 4 and New Jersey House and Senate District 25 (June 9) and Mississippi’s House District 88 (June 23).


     

Business Impact Headlines


California: Los Angeles Times: Coronavirus led to furloughs of crucial business departments


Massachusetts: Boston Globe: Massachusetts lawmakers will debate bill to provide marijuana businesses with coronavirus relief funds


Michigan: Click on Detroit: GM, Ford, FCA discuss tentative date to reopen Michigan auto plants


New York: WIVB: Buffalo Niagara Partnership releases results of COVID-19 Business Impact Survey


Texas: San Antonio Express News: Despite reopening, coronavirus inhibits business


Utah: Salt Lake Tribune: Utah governor signs bill shielding businesses, property owners from coronavirus-related suits

  

     

FOCUS' Utility Disconnect Executive Orders page lists states that have executive orders that restrict or prohibit utilities – such as voice service, cable television, broadband service or other telecommunication service providers  from disconnecting clients for non-payment during the pandemic.

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FOCUS' Relaxed Alcohol Laws table details which states have listed alcohol-related businesses as essential/non-essential, alcohol-specific orders, laws and related changes and other COVID-19-related policy information impacting the beer, wine and alcohol industry.

     

FOCUS' COVID-19 Cannabis-related Executive Orders Chart lists the states that have Executive Orders listing cannabis businesses and services as essential and easing pick-up or delivery service rules.


Cannabis-Related Executive Orders
     
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FOCUS is tracking information on recently-announced extensions to state and local tax filing deadlines. Please contact 

anastasia@leoninefocus.com to be added to the distribution list for this daily email, which includes brief summaries.

Tax Deadline Headlines


Alabama: Alabama News: Alabama Department of Revenue Extends Time for Car Registrations and Car Tax Payments


Colorado: Executive Order D 2020-055: Extending Executive Order D 2020 022 Ordering the Temporary Suspension of Certain Statutes Concerning Taxpayer Filing Requirements for Certain Taxable Property due to the Presence of COVID-19 in the State of Colorado; Executive Order D 2020-057: Extending Executive Order D 2020 023 Ordering a One-Month Extension for Filing and Remitting State and State-Administered Local Sales Tax Due to the Presence of COVID-19 in Colorado. 


Illinois: Department of Revenue: Additional Relief for Renewals of Illinois Sales Tax Exemption (“E”) Numbers During the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak


New Jersey: The Bernardsville News: Bernardsville extends tax payment grace period to June 1


Ohio: The Columbus Dispatch: Coronavirus in Ohio: Franklin County extending property tax deadline to Aug. 5


     

FOCUS’ COVID-19 Remote Notarization Orders highlights Executive Orders and other actions loosening restrictions on remote and electronic notarial actions, removing requirements that notarizations be in-person and other actions impacting notaries public.


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Educational Response Headlines


Connecticut: Hartford Courant: Gov. Ned Lamont closes Connecticut schools for rest of academic year due to coronavirus pandemic


Idaho: KHQ: Idaho Board of Education allowing schools to reopen if they follow COVID-19 safety protocols


Texas: The Texas Tribune: "Between 0 and 100%": Texas schools weigh the odds of students returning this fall


West Virginia: Charleston Gazette Mail: WV announces plan to send about $300 to most WV students for food


     

COVID-19 Webinars

 

WEBINAR: Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Safety and Emergency Management with the Coronavirus Pandemic, City & State


WEBINAR: Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 1:00 PM ET: COVID-19: How’s It Changing Elections? National Conference of State Legislatures


WEBINAR: Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Regulatory Affairs in a Time of Uncertainty – What’s ahead for the rest of 2020, Women in Government Relations


WEBINAR: Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 3:00 PM ET: COVID-19: Mobilizing a Safe and Adequate Health Workforce, National Conference of State Legislatures


WEBINAR: Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 3:00 PM ET: COVID-19: Congressional Appropriations for Justice and Homeland Security Programs, National Conference of State Legislatures


WEBINAR: Thursday, May 7, 2020 11-12:00 PM ET: Maintaining Strong Cross-Border Economic Ties during the COVID-19 Crisis, The Council of State Governments, Midwestern Legislative Conference


WEBINAR: Thursday, May 7, 2020, 1-2:00 PM ET: COVID-19 and Impact to Dealerships: M&A, Customer Expectations, and Virtual/Remote Operations, Center for Automotive Research


WEBINAR: Thursday, May 7, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Election 2020: Smart Get Out the Vote Strategies during Quarantine, Public Affairs Council


WEBINAR: Thursday, May 7, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Fine-tune Your Executive Presence As We Navigate Our New Normal, Women in Government Relations


WEBINAR: Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: New York’s Most Vulnerable to the Coronavirus Pandemic, City & State


WEBINAR: Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Counties Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Small Business Support, National Association of Counties


WEBINAR: Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 3:00 PM ET: COVID-19: Juvenile Justice Responses, National Conference of State Legislatures 


WEBINAR: Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 3-4:00 PM ET: COVID-19: Ensuring Adequate Health Care Facilities, National Conference of State Legislatures 


WEBINAR: Thursday, May 14, 2020, 11-12:00 PM ET: Balancing Criminal Justice & Public Health in the Time of COVID-19, The Council of State Governments, Midwestern Legislative Conference 

 

WEBINAR: Thursday, May 14, 2020, 2-3:15 PM ET: Lobbying and Advocacy Lessons from COVID-19, Public Affairs Council


VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Tuesday, May 19, 2020, 2-4:15 PM ET: Communicating the Value of GR in Dollars and Cents, Public Affairs Council


WEBINAR: Thursday, May 21, 2020, 11-12:00 PM ET: Relief & Recovery: Strategies to Rebound from the COVID-19 Economic Downturn,  The Council of State Governments, Midwestern Legislative Conference


WEBINAR: Thursday, May 21, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Tracking a Moving Target: Researching the Impact of COVID-19 on County Governments, National Association of Counties


WEBINAR: Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: New York’s Education System in the Coronavirus Pandemic, City & State 


WEBINAR: Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Administering an Election during the COVID-19 Crisis, National Association of Counties


WEBINAR: Tuesday, June 16, 2020, 9:30-12:15 PM ET: Virtual Workshop: Online and Social Media Compliance for PAC and Grassroots during COVID-19, Public Affairs Council


     

State & Local Resources

Council of State Governments: COVID-19 Resources for State Leaders


National Association of Counties: The National Association of Counties has provided a map updated with county declarations and policies in response to COVID-19. 


National Conference of State LegislaturesCoronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for States

     
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Current COVID-19-related categories include:

  • COVID-19 Response (General)
  • Contact Tracing
  • E-closings
  • Essential Business Designations & Shelter in Place
  • Eviction Moratoriums
  • Government Assistance to Individuals
  • Government Assistance to Businesses
  • Health Insurance/Medicaid
  • Insurance Misc.
  • Paid Leave
  • Price Gouging
  • Remote Education
  • Remote Meeting & Voting in Legislatures
  • Remote Notarization
  • School Requirement Waivers
  • Tax Deadline Extensions
  • Utility Disconnect

Reach out to your lead analyst to add any of these to your database.

     

Additional FOCUS Tools & Offerings


- Free tracking of coronavirus-related legislation and regulations for all clients.

- Free, unlimited trainings on the FOCUS database for all clients.  

- Free access to our global lobbyist network, The Advocacy Group (TAG)

- Research, White Papers and Resource-Gathering.


Learn more about what we do at LeoninePublicAffairs.com/Services/FOCUS/

 

To our clients: FOCUS is currently well-equipped to continue providing you with the same high level of service you are used to. Our goal during these challenging times is to continue to be there for you and serve as an extension of your staff. We will continue to manage your association or issues and provide you with information about legislative and regulatory developments that remain essential to your job. If there are special projects, research or other services that could be helpful to you during this time, please reach out to us and ask. If we are able to help you, we will!

Stay safe and be well.

~ Leif Johnson and the FOCUS Team

   
   
 
FOCUS, a Leonine Business | Montpelier, Vermont | Arlington, Virginia
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