The second special session of the Alaska Legislature that began with controversy and division ended quietly on Tuesday with no further legislative action.

Tuesday marked the 30-day session limit.

The Legislature approved restoring much of the operating budget money Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed.

Additionally, the Legislature approved a $1,600 pay out of the permanent fund dividend.

Gov. Dunleavy did not give a clear indication of whether he may call a third special session, but he must give a 30-day notice before the legislators must appear again.

The state Senate kicked off the second special session in Juneau and promptly removed Sen. Mia Costello as the majority leader.

Costello was in Wasilla with nearly a third of her fellow lawmakers.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy called for the second special session to be held in Wasilla on July 8.

The session ended quickly because there was no majority to conduct business.

House minority leader Lance Pruitt stated the members would remain in Wasilla and wait for the legislators in Juneau to attend.

Alaskan lawmakers have been busy strategizing how to continue campaign fundraising ahead of the July 11 special session.

State statute bans lawmakers from soliciting or accepting contributions in the capital city or any municipality where the Legislature is convened.

Despite calls by some lawmakers to hold the session in Anchorage due to a lodging shortage in Juneau, the formal legislative session will remain in Juneau allowing political fundraising to continue in Anchorage.

Photo of the chamber of the Alaska House of Representatives by L’Aquatique on Wikimedia Commons.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted to call for a special election to elect a mayor for the remainder of the current term. Deputy Mayor Mary Becker stepped in to the role in November following the passing of Mayor Greg Fisk. The special election will be held Tuesday, March 15. Because Becker was serving as Assemblymember for District 1 when she became mayor, there is now a vacant seat on the Assembly.

Interested applicants for the seat will be interviewed during a Special Assembly meeting on Monday, January 11. On Tuesday, January 12, the Assembly will hold a Special Assembly Meeting with the Juneau Legislative Delegation and will conduct a public hearing followed by Assembly action regarding appointment to the vacant District 1 seat.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker called for a third special legislative session to convene on October 24, 2015.

The Legislature will meet in Juneau to consider an act to monetize certain natural gas reserves via a gas reserves tax, as well as an act to make supplemental, capital, and operating appropriations from the constitutional budget reserve fund.