June 27, 2019 •
Tennessee Calls Special Session on August 23
![Tennessee Calls Special Session on August 23](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Tennessee-Capitol-HD-1000x563.jpg)
Tennessee Capitol Building
Gov. Bill Lee announced that the General Assembly will convene for a special session on August 23. Lee released a statement on June 27 announcing that the primary purpose of the special session is to select a new Speaker of […]
Gov. Bill Lee announced that the General Assembly will convene for a special session on August 23.
Lee released a statement on June 27 announcing that the primary purpose of the special session is to select a new Speaker of the House following Glen Casada’s resignation.
In addition, Lee has asked the General Assembly to take up approval of recent amendments to the Supreme Court rules.
June 27, 2019 •
South Carolina Lawmakers Return for a One-day Special Session
![South Carolina Lawmakers Return for a One-day Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/South-Carolina-Capitol-Building-1000x563.jpg)
South Carolina Capitol Building
South Carolina lawmakers met for a one-day special session June 25 to review several bills Gov. Henry McMaster recently vetoed. The special session was held to consider Gov. McMaster’s 28 budget vetoes worth approximately $41 million. Additionally, lawmakers considered a […]
South Carolina lawmakers met for a one-day special session June 25 to review several bills Gov. Henry McMaster recently vetoed.
The special session was held to consider Gov. McMaster’s 28 budget vetoes worth approximately $41 million.
Additionally, lawmakers considered a bill which allowed erasing of a public disorderly conduct charge for first offenders under certain conditions.
Lawmakers aren’t expected to return to the State House until session reconvenes in January.
June 17, 2019 •
West Virginia Governor Amends Special Session
![West Virginia Governor Amends Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Jim_Justice_DSC_0375_34158543401-1000x563.jpg)
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice
Gov. Jim Justice is adding an additional 12 bills for the Legislature to consider during the special session originally focusing on education. Gov. Justice amended his original proclamation by adding 10 new supplemental appropriation bills. One bill relates to the […]
Gov. Jim Justice is adding an additional 12 bills for the Legislature to consider during the special session originally focusing on education.
Gov. Justice amended his original proclamation by adding 10 new supplemental appropriation bills.
One bill relates to the procurement of construction work performed as part of disaster mitigation or recovery originating from a declared state of emergency.
Additionally, another bill relates to the Ryan Brown Fund.
Members of the House of Delegates are scheduled to convene today to continue the special session on education.
June 14, 2019 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns First Special Session, Governor Calls Second
![Alaska Legislature Adjourns First Special Session, Governor Calls Second](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Alaska_State_Capitol_Building-1000x563.jpg)
Alaska State Capitol Buildling - Jay Galvin
Lawmakers ended their special session on June 13. The Legislature passed a capital budget bill but failed to reach the three-quarter threshold required to fund major provisions. Failure to reach the threshold left millions of dollars in projects unfunded and […]
Lawmakers ended their special session on June 13.
The Legislature passed a capital budget bill but failed to reach the three-quarter threshold required to fund major provisions.
Failure to reach the threshold left millions of dollars in projects unfunded and federal match money at risk.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy called a second special session in order to address the permanent fund dividends the Legislature also could not agree on.
The second special session will convene on July 8, at 1 p.m. in Wasilla.
May 28, 2019 •
Minnesota Legislature Ends One-Day Special Session After Passing Budget
![Minnesota Legislature Ends One-Day Special Session After Passing Budget](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Minnesota-Capitol-Hi-Res.jpg)
Minnesota Capitol Building
Minnesota’s one-day special session ended early Saturday morning. The session ended with the legislature passing a $48 billion budget to fund the government for the next two years. The outline of the budget was agreed to during the regular session, […]
Minnesota’s one-day special session ended early Saturday morning.
The session ended with the legislature passing a $48 billion budget to fund the government for the next two years.
The outline of the budget was agreed to during the regular session, which ended on May 20 after reaching the maximum number of days the state’s constitution permitted.
A budget deal needed to be finalized by July 1 to avert a shutdown.
May 23, 2019 •
Minnesota Adjourns with Plans for Special Session
![Minnesota Adjourns with Plans for Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Minnesota-Capitol-Hi-Res.jpg)
Minnesota Capitol Building
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, the latest possible day the state constitution allowed it to be in regular session. Lawmakers reached a bipartisan budget deal after extensive negotiations. However, Gov. Tim Walz will need to call […]
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, the latest possible day the state constitution allowed it to be in regular session.
Lawmakers reached a bipartisan budget deal after extensive negotiations.
However, Gov. Tim Walz will need to call a special session for lawmakers to work out and vote on the details.
May 17, 2019 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns, Governor Calls Special Session
![Alaska Legislature Adjourns, Governor Calls Special Session](https://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Alaska_State_Capitol_Building-1000x563.jpg)
Alaska State Capitol Buildling - Jay Galvin
The 31st Alaska Legislature adjourned the first regular session at the constitutional deadline on May 15. The legislature did not find resolution on some of the biggest issues including crime, the budget, and the dividend residents receive from the state’s […]
The 31st Alaska Legislature adjourned the first regular session at the constitutional deadline on May 15.
The legislature did not find resolution on some of the biggest issues including crime, the budget, and the dividend residents receive from the state’s oil-wealth fund.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy called a special session to begin on May 16.
The special session will be limited to discussing a crime reform package, an operating budget containing a full permanent fund dividend, a capital budget, funding for K-12 education, and a mental health trust budget.
March 8, 2019 •
West Virginia Governor Calls Special Session
Gov. Jim Justice called the West Virginia Legislature to convene a special session to address improvements to public education and pay raises for school teachers. Speaker Roger Hanshaw said the House would go through a feedback gathering process that could […]
Gov. Jim Justice called the West Virginia Legislature to convene a special session to address improvements to public education and pay raises for school teachers.
Speaker Roger Hanshaw said the House would go through a feedback gathering process that could take a couple months or more, and that the special session would likely meet a couple days each month before the new fiscal year begins on July 1.
The regular session is scheduled to adjourn sine die on March 9.
March 6, 2019 •
Alabama Gov. Calls Special Session
Gov. Kay Ivey has called a special session to begin March 6, 2019. The special session will focus on legislation related to a gas and diesel fuel tax. Calling the special session suspends the regular session and allows the gas […]
Gov. Kay Ivey has called a special session to begin March 6, 2019.
The special session will focus on legislation related to a gas and diesel fuel tax.
Calling the special session suspends the regular session and allows the gas tax bill to pass with a majority vote, as opposed to the three-fifths vote required during a regular session.
The regular session is expected to re-convene on March 19.
December 18, 2018 •
Special Session Called in Kentucky
Governor Bevin called a special session to find a resolution to the public employee pension plan. Two bills were introduced to reform the current plan. The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled last week that a pension law passed last session was […]
Governor Bevin called a special session to find a resolution to the public employee pension plan. Two bills were introduced to reform the current plan.
The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled last week that a pension law passed last session was unconstitutional because it was passed improperly.
The Governor needs only 51 votes to pass a bill in special session compared to the 60 he would need in the regular session convening in two weeks.
The special session must last for at least five days.
November 21, 2018 •
Utah Special Session to be Held on December 3
The Utah Legislature will meet in a special session on December 3 to discuss the voter-approved medical marijuana ballot measure passed by a majority of voters this month. This week, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser said his fellow senators needed to […]
The Utah Legislature will meet in a special session on December 3 to discuss the voter-approved medical marijuana ballot measure passed by a majority of voters this month.
This week, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser said his fellow senators needed to attend the session and he could compel their presence if necessary.
Gov. Gary Herbert vowed to call a special session to discuss medical marijuana regardless of the outcome of the bill. Gov. Herbert has been working with legislators and the Mormon church to find a compromise and tweak legislation based on the passed measure.
A two-thirds majority vote is necessary to make the legislation effective.
November 19, 2018 •
GA Adjourns Special Session
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned a special session on Saturday. Legislators approved two bills allocating $270 million for emergency relief and providing $200 million of tax incentives for areas affected by Hurricane Michael. Gov. Deal also signed a bill ratifying […]
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned a special session on Saturday.
Legislators approved two bills allocating $270 million for emergency relief and providing $200 million of tax incentives for areas affected by Hurricane Michael.
Gov. Deal also signed a bill ratifying an executive order suspending the collection of sales and use tax on jet fuel
November 8, 2018 •
Utah Special Session to Address Medical Marijuana
This week, Utah voters passed Proposition 2 legalizing medical marijuana. The highly controversial ballot initiative caused Gov. Gary Herbert to announce his intention to call a special session on medical marijuana regardless of the outcome of this week. The proposition […]
This week, Utah voters passed Proposition 2 legalizing medical marijuana.
The highly controversial ballot initiative caused Gov. Gary Herbert to announce his intention to call a special session on medical marijuana regardless of the outcome of this week.
The proposition will go into effect on December 1, 2018, and Gov. Herbert’s office announced its intent this week to convene a special session shortly thereafter.
Under state law, an initiative passed by statewide vote can be amended by the legislature after it becomes law.
Gov. Herbert has already discussed changes and compromises with lawmakers and proponents of Proposition 2. This will be the state’s third special session this year.
November 7, 2018 •
Utah Voters Approve Amendment C
Utah voters passed Amendment C allowing the Legislature to call itself into a special session. This came after Gov. Gary Herbert refused to call lawmakers to set a special election to fill the vacancy created by the departure of U.S. […]
Utah voters passed Amendment C allowing the Legislature to call itself into a special session.
This came after Gov. Gary Herbert refused to call lawmakers to set a special election to fill the vacancy created by the departure of U.S. Representative Jason Chaffetz.
Amendment C will allow legislators to convene if two-thirds of the House and Senate agree it is necessary because of a fiscal crisis, war, natural disaster or emergency.
The amendment also allows the Legislature to hold a special session outside the Capitol if the building isn’t available.
Voters appear headed to approve Amendment C as unofficial vote totals show it winning 63.2 percent to 36.8 percent.
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