Welcome to FOCUS’ COVID-19 Resources Page. If you have any suggestions of other items to be included, please email them to robyn@leoninefocus.com. Updated June 3, 2020, 5:45 p.m. EST.
FOCUS is excited to announce the launch of a new service — Industry Impact Watch – to provide concise and comprehensive coverage of state policy actions relating to COVID-19 and your specific industry. Learn more and request a sample report through this page on our website.
The State Economy Reopening Guidelines Chart details the guidelines each state has provided for reopening their respective economies. Some states have created formal plans, complete with specific dates or benchmarks and some states have joined regional coalitions to coordinate the reopening of their economies with their nearest neighbors. Several states have not provided formal guidance but may have issued proclamations or updated states of emergency which may give timelines as to when specified businesses and/or activities may resume.
States with recently updated information include: Arkansas; Colorado; Delaware; District of Columbia; Georgia; Idaho; Illinois; Kansas; Maine; Missouri; New Jersey; New Mexico; North Dakota; Rhode Island; South Carolina; Tennessee; and Texas (June 2); and Alaska, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia (June 3).
FOCUS’ Shelter in Place and Essential Business Designations Chart is your go-to resource for a state-by-state response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It 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.
It also includes executive orders, proclamations and press releases related to other actions states’ are taking during the pandemic.
As of June 3, 12 states have active shelter in place orders and Puerto Rico is currently under curfew. States without orders or expired orders include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The District of Columbia’s shelter in place order has also expired. New Hampshire’s order was extended from May 31 to June 15. The District of Columbia’s order expired on May 29 instead of June 8 as originally scheduled. Illinois’ order expired on May 30. The orders in Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico and Washington expired on May 31. Mississippi’s order expired on June 1 and Michigan’s order expired on June 1 instead of June 12 as originally scheduled. The following orders are scheduled to expire on the dates provided: Pennsylvania (June 4), Virginia (June 10), New York (June 13), Puerto Rico’s curfew, New Hampshire and Vermont (June 15), Connecticut (June 20) and Alaska, California, Kentucky, New Jersey, Oregon and West Virginia (TBD). California: My Mercury News: More changes to Santa Clara County’s stay-at-home still weeks away, health officials say. Illinois: Chicago Tribune: Chicago to loosen coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday. Washington: My Northwest: Snohomish, Pierce, King counties prepare to ease stay-at-home restrictions.
Stay at Home Orders & Business Reopening Updates
Stay-at-Home Order Status as of 6/3:
Upcoming Stay-at-Home Order Expirations:
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 6/3 at 3:50pm EST)
June 4
Pennsylvania
June 10
Virginia
June 13
New York
June 15
Puerto Rico (curfew), New Hampshire and Vermont
June 20
Connecticut
Indefinite
Alaska, California, Kentucky, New Jersey, Oregon and West Virginia
No order/ Order expired
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming
FOCUS’ 50-State Budget Overview tracks states that have announced budget freezes as part of their response to the coronavirus.
We recently updated information on: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington 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.
California, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Vermont are in regular session. The District of Columbia Council, Puerto Rico 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: Rhode Island (June 9), Georgia and New Hampshire House (June 11), Hawaii (June 15), Nebraska (July 20) and New Hampshire Senate and Wisconsin (TBD). New York is in recess subject to the call of the chair. Louisiana began a special session immediately after the adjournment of the regular session on June 1, reports WBRZ. The legislature will discuss the spending of federal coronavirus aid and the expansion of tax break programs. This special session cannot last longer than June 30. Kansas convened a special session on June 3 to focus on extending the current state of emergency, reports The Wichita Eagle. New Mexico Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a special session beginning June 18. The agenda includes issues ranging from balancing the budget to coronavirus relief stimulus funding, reports the Albuquerque Journal. South Carolina adjourned on May 12 and is expected to meet for a two-week special session starting September 15, reports The News & Observer. Delaware’s Joint Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on June 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10. A Joint Legislative Council Committee meeting is scheduled for June 10. The following states adjourned on the dates provided: Oklahoma (May 29), Missouri (May 30) and Louisiana (June 1). The following states are scheduled to adjourn on the dates provided: Delaware and Rhode Island (June 30). Minnesota DFL Gov. Tim Walz has until June 3 to act on legislation presented on or before May 20 or it is pocket vetoed. Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has until June 6 to act on legislation presented on or after May 21 or it becomes law without signature. Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has until June 13 to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson has until July 14 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy must act on legislation within 20 days of presentment, not including Sundays 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. Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has 10 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. Louisiana Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has 20 days from presentment to sign or veto legislation or it will become 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. South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster has until two days after the next meeting of the legislature to act on legislation or it becomes law. Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey had a signing deadline on May 28. The following states are currently holding 2020 interim committee hearings: Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina House and Senate, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. Utah is currently posting 2020 bill drafts, prefiles and interim studies. Special Elections Danillo Sena, D-Middlesex, defeated Catherine Clark, R-Luneneberg, in the special general election for Massachusetts House 37th Middlesex District on June 2 by a vote of 4,226 to 1,471, reports Politico. Carol Doherty, D-Taunton, defeated Kelly Dooner, R-Taunton, in the special general election for Massachusetts House 3rd Bristol District on June 2, reports Politico. Official vote tallies have not yet been reported. The following seats will be filled by special elections on the dates provided: Georgia Senate District 4 (June 9), Kentucky Senate District 26 and Mississippi’s House District 88 (June 23), Oklahoma Senate District 28 (June 30) and New Jersey House and Senate District 25 (July 7).
Session Info
Connecticut: Hartford Courant: With recent layoffs and penalties, Connecticut’s aviation industry cuts back as coronavirus flattens airline industry. Illinois: Chicago Business: COVID-19 pandemic comeback will be led by manufacturing, says Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. Massachusetts: WBUR: Mass. Business Confidence Edges Up After Dismal March, April. Ohio: WHIO TV: Coronavirus: 3 programs created to help small, mid-sized Ohio businesses financially. Vermont: Vermont Biz: Businesses urge fast action on state emergency grants to survive. News from earlier this week:
Business Impact Headlines
FOCUS’ Utility Disconnect Executive Orders page lists the 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 coronavirus pandemic.
Updates were made this past week in: Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont and Washington.
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.
Updates were made this past week in: DC, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio and South Dakota.
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.
Updates were made this past week in: Missouri and Utah.
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.
New York: Syracuse.com: New York gives property tax extensions to residents in a few villages including 2 in Central NY. U.S. IRS News Release: IRS reminder: June 15 tax deadline postponed to July 15 for taxpayers who live and work abroad. News from earlier this week:
Tax Deadline Headlines
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.
This week we’ve included updates in Colorado, Illinois and Iowa.
Florida: Actions News Jax: Coronavirus: Florida Education Association offers proposal for reopening schools. Maine: Bangor Daily News: There’s no plan yet for Maine schools to reopen, but they won’t go back to normal this fall. Ohio: WTOL: Ohio Coronavirus Update: State ‘fully intends’ for schools to return in the fall. Washington: The News Tribune: Coronavirus updates: Inslee issues guidance for higher education, workforce training. News from earlier this week:
Educational Response Headlines
WEBINAR: Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 11-12:00 PM ET: Global Public Affairs Amid COVID-19: Submit Your Questions, Public Affairs Council WEBINAR: Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 3-4:00 PM ET: The Impact of COVID-19 on Legislative and Lobbying Processes Free Virtual Roundtable, State Government Affairs Council WEBINAR: Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Administering an Election during the COVID-19 Crisis, National Association of Counties WEBINAR: Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 2-3:00 PM ET: Virtual Roundtable: PhRMA Shares Industry Efforts on the Pandemic, State Government Affairs Council WEBINAR: Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 2:30 PM ET: COVID-19: Manufacturing Our Way to Economic Recovery, National Conference of State Legislatures 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 WEBINAR: Monday, June 22, 2020, 2:00 PM ET: COVID-19: Maintaining Child Vaccination Rates During a Pandemic, National Conference of State Legislatures
COVID-19 Webinars
Council of State Governments: COVID-19 Resources for State Leaders National Association of Counties: County Declarations and Policies in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic (interactive map) National Conference of State Legislatures: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for States
State & Local Resources
FOCUS offers free tracking of COVID-19-related legislation and regulation for all clients.
Current categories include:
Reach out to your lead analyst to add any of these to your database.
– 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.
Additional FOCUS Tools & Offerings
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