June 9, 2011 •
Arizona Legislature Called to Special Session
Special Session to Convene Friday
Governor Jan Brewer has called the Legislature to begin a special session on Friday, June 9, 2011.
The purpose of the special session is to extend unemployment benefits for the state’s jobless.
June 8, 2011 •
Nevada Legislature Adjourns
76th Session
The 76th session of the Nevada Legislature ended its scheduled 120 day assembly on June 6.
Upon receiving any remaining bills which have passed, Governor Brian Sandoval has 10 days to veto or sign the legislation.
Closeup photo of the Nevada State Capitol is from a photo by Dave Parker on Wikipedia.
June 7, 2011 •
No Extra Special Session
High Court Rules
The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled the Legislature does not have to meet today in a special session called by Governor Nikki Haley.
In a 3 to 2 decision, the court denied the special session, writing: “Although the General Assembly is currently in recess, it has not adjourned sine die and, therefore, is still in its annual session. Under these specific facts, respondent cannot convene an ‘extra’ session of the General Assembly since it is currently in session. To do so would interrupt the annual session and would violate the General Assembly’s authority to set its calendar and agenda and would constitute a violation of the separation of powers provision.”
The Legislature will meet in a previously scheduled session on June 14.
This blog post follows up a previous article “South Carolina’s Extra Special Session” by George Ticoras on June 3.
June 6, 2011 •
Lobbyists Fund Mobile Access to Oregon Legislature’s Streaming Videos
Oregon’s Legislature has been streaming videos on its website. Now you can view them on your mobile phone!
The Capitol Club, a lobbyist association in Oregon supplied the funding for the state’s Legislature to supply streaming video of hearings and sessions to mobile devices.
Read about what will now be offered and why the Capitol Club stepped up to help in Govtech.com’s article “Lobbyists Help Oregon Legislature Stream Video to Mobile Devices” by Sarah Rich from June 4.
June 3, 2011 •
South Carolina’s Extra Special Session
Will They Meet?
The regular session of the South Carolina Legislature adjourned on June 2 and a special session is scheduled for June 14. However, Governor Nikki Haley has requested an earlier additional special session for June 7 to pass further legislation, but the elected representatives may not convene.
While House Speaker Bobby Harrell has instructed house members to return on June 7, Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell has said the senate will not return, even though both the governor and Senator McConnell are in the same political party.
Several legislators challenge the governor’s legal authority to convene a special session without extraordinary circumstances.
June 1, 2011 •
Oklahoma Legislature Adjourns, Illinois General Assembly Recesses
Timely news from the states.
OKLAHOMA: The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on May 27, 2011.
ILLINOIS: The Illinois General Assembly has recessed. The senate will reconvene on October 25, 2011. No date has been set for the house to reconvene.
May 31, 2011 •
Texas Legislature Adjourns, But Special Session Called
The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die on Monday, May 30, 2011.
However, the Legislature was immediately called into special session by Governor Rick Perry due to the failed effort to finalize the state budget.
The special session is set to begin Tuesday, May 31, and cannot last longer than 30 days.
Other items are expected to be added to the special session’s agenda.
Photo of the Texas State Capitol by Kumar Appaiah on Wikipedia.
May 26, 2011 •
Washington Legislature’s Special Session Adjourns
Comes after passage of state budget.
The first special session of the 2011 Washington Legislature adjourned on May 25, 2011.
The 30 day session was called by Governor Gregoire after lawmakers failed to finish a budget and address spending matters before the conclusion of the regular session.
The special session adjourned after the passage of a state budget that includes billions in spending reductions with no increase in taxes.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol interior by Cacophony on Wikipedia.
May 24, 2011 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns
A special session will be necessary.
The regular session of the Minnesota Legislature adjourned the evening of May 23, 2011.
A special session will be necessary to avoid a state government shutdown at the end of June, as no budget compromise was reached during the regular session.
The Governor has until June 6, 2011 to act on bills passed by the Legislature.
Photo of the Minnesota State Capitol dome by Mulad on Wikipedia.
May 23, 2011 •
Tennessee General Assembly Adjourns Early
The first session of the 107th General Assembly adjourned the evening of May 21, 2011.
The adjournment was the earliest date in 18 years.
The 107th General Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, January 10, 2012.
Photo of the Tennessee House Chamber by Ichabod on Wikipedia.
May 16, 2011 •
Missouri General Assembly Adjourns
Will reconvene for a technical session.
The first regular session of Missouri’s 96th General Assembly adjourned the evening of May 13, 2011.
The General Assembly will reconvene for a technical session at 8:00 a.m., May 26, 2011 to last until May 30, 2011 in accordance with the constitution.
Governor Jay Nixon may sign or veto bills until July 14, 2011, and the veto session of the General Assembly is scheduled to convene on September 14, 2011.
Photo of the Missouri Capitol Building by RebelAt on Wikipedia.
April 18, 2011 •
Alaska Governor Calls Special Session
Begins Day After Regular Session Ends
The Alaska Legislature was adjourned on its scheduled date, but not in its usual manner.
Because the House and Senate could not agree on the time of the adjournment, which is on the 90th and last day authorized by law, Governor Parnell himself invoked state constitutional authority and adjourned the 27th session of the legislature on April 17. He then immediately called a special session to begin April 18.
The special session is limited by law to a maximum of 30 days.
March 23, 2011 •
Two Special Sessions of State Legislatures
Utah and Louisiana
UTAH: Governor Gary Herbert has called a special session of the legislature to convene at noon on March 25. The governor stated the purpose of the special session will be to repeal HB477, an open records law which the governor had previously signed earlier this month. The legislature had adjourned on March 10.
LOUISIANA: The legislature convened on March 20 for an ‘extraordinary session’ to establish redistricting boundaries for all congressional, state and local entities’ elections. The session is scheduled for no later than April 13. The regular session of the legislature convenes on April 25.
March 1, 2011 •
Wisconsin Special Election Set for May 3, 2011
Special Election to Replace Three Assembly Seats Vacated by Legislators Serving in Walker Administration
A special election has been scheduled for May 3, 2011 to fill three seats left vacant in the Wisconsin State Assembly by legislators who accepted positions in the Walker Administration. In an executive order, Governor Walker ordered the special election for Assembly Districts 60, 83 and 94.
If primaries are necessary in any of the districts, they will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, concurrent with the spring election.
Photo of the Wisconsin State Capitol by Jeff dean on Wikipedia.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.