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June 22, 2026

This Week in

FOCUS

Legislative developments and policy trends from across the states to keep you ahead of the curve.
 
   

States in Session

   

Please note: FOCUS will not publish This Week in Focus next week due to the Independence Day holiday. Your next update will be published on Monday, July 6. 

   

Current Legislative Landscape

In Session

7 states, DC, PR and US are currently in regular session. 

In Recess

Ohio is in recess until November 9.
   

We are closely monitoring all legislative session activity to provide you with the most up-to-date information. (Got an on-the-ground tip on sessions? Email us!)

   
 
   

Past Governor Signing Deadlines

  • Connecticut (Lamont) - May 21
  • Minnesota (Walz) - June 3 or pocket vetoed
  • Colorado (Polis) - June 13


Upcoming Governor Signing Deadlines

  • Hawaii (Green) - June 22
  • Missouri (Kehoe) - June 29
  • Alaska (Dunleavy) - 20 days from presentment, Sunday excepted
  • Arizona (Hobbs) and New York (Hochul) - 10 days from presentment, Sundays excepted
  • Florida (DeSantis) - 15 days from presentment
  • Illinois (Pritzker) - 60 days
  • Louisiana (Landry) - 20 days from presentment
  • Maryland (Moore ) - 30 days from presentment
  • New Hampshire (Ayotte), South Carolina (McMaster) and Vermont (Scott) - five days, Sundays excepted
  • Rhode Island (McKee) - six days from presentment 
  • Wisconsin (Evers) - six days from presentment, Sundays excepted

Adjournments

The following states adjourned their 2026 legislative session on the dates provided:
  • Rhode Island (June 11)  
  • Arizona (June 13)


The following states are expected to adjourn their 2026 legislative session on the dates provided:
  • Delaware (June 30)
  • Massachusetts and North Carolina (July 31)

Special Sessions

 

Alaska began a second special session on June 20 after adjourning the previous special session without agreeing on gas line legislation. The House rejected Senate amendments to a tax bill for the proposed Alaska LNG megaproject as the second special session began. [The Anchorage Daily News]

 

Georgia is currently holding a special session which began on June 17. Legislators will not redraw congressional maps despite calls to do so from Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. The special session will continue with other voting and tax legislation up for consideration. [Atlanta News First]

Interim Activity


Interim committees and study postings are underway in: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, *Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, *Louisiana, *Maine, * Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, * Missouri, Montana, Nevada, *New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, *Oklahoma, Oregon, *South Carolina, South Dakota, *Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, *West Virginia and Wyoming. 


*Added since the last newsletter.
   

Special Elections

Georgia held a special election on June 9 for House District 177. Democrat Alvin Payton Jr. defeated Democrat Eric Howard with 67 percent of the vote compared to Howard’s 33 percent. [WALB]

 

Additionally, a special election was held in Senate District 7 on June 16. Democrat Adrienne White defeated Republican Aizaz Shahbaz Shaikh with 51 percent of the vote. [WABE]

 

A special election was also held for Maine House District 29 on June 9. Republican Nancy Theriault kept the seat red with over 61 percent of the vote. Opponent, Democrat Nancy McDowell, received nearly 39 percent of the vote. [270toWin]

 

The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on the dates provided: Louisiana House District 39 (June 27), Arkansas 

House District 44 (August 4) and Pennsylvania House District 12 (August 18). 

Posting Bill Drafts for 2027

Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah are posting bill drafts for 2027. 
 
   

State Policy News

Alaska

Dunleavy vetoes nine bills, but Alaska lawmakers override two in special session flurry. [Alaska Beacon]

New Hampshire

Ayotte vetoes 'bathroom bill' passed by New Hampshire legislature. [WMUR]

Hawaii

Key lawmakers exit creates power void in Hawaii legislature. [Honolulu Star]

Vermont

Vermont's Governor Scott vetoes legislature's latest attempt at health care reform. [The Boston Globe]
   
 
   
   

State legislatures across the country are already laying groundwork for the 2027 legislative session, even though many 2026 sessions are still wrapping up. For advocates, agencies and anyone who tracks state policy, this overlap matters. Interim hearings, prefiling windows and early committee work happening right now will shape which bills move once the 2027 legislative session opens. From agency bill requests to interim study topics named by legislative leadership, the building blocks of next year’s agenda are taking shape well before any text becomes public.


   
 
   

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