Gov. Mark Dayton has outlined several conditions legislators must meet before he will call a special legislative session.

In a letter sent to House and Senate leaders, Dayton indicates they must agree on several points in the priority subjects of transportation, taxes, and numerous omissions in supplemental budget and bonding bills before he will call the session.

Several lawmakers have requested a special session after the Legislature recessed last month without passing an important bonding bill, but only Dayton has the authority to call the session.

On May 26, the 2016 spring sitting of the first session of the 33rd Yukon Legislative Assembly adjourned. Neither Bill 104, the Paid Lobbying Act, nor Bill 107, the Act to Amend the Elections Act with Respect to Political Contributions, were passed by the Assembly.

The spring sitting commenced on April 7, 2016. No future session is currently scheduled. The Legislature will likely meet again in the spring of 2017.

Photo of the Yukon Legislative Assembly by US Mission Canada on Wikimedia Commons.

On May 27, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a call for a second special session of the Louisiana Legislature. The special session will convene at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 6, and must adjourn by midnight on June 23.

The governor wants the Legislature to address the state’s budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning on July 1. The Legislature is currently in session and is schedule to adjourn no later than June 6, the same day the special session is scheduled to begin.

Photo of the Louisiana State Capitol Building by Chrismiceli on Wikimedia Commons.

The second regular session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, May 27.

Prior to adjournment, lawmakers addressed the growing budget deficit and passed a budget, but failed to pass health care reform legislation or approve an increase on cigarette tax.

House Democrats say they would have supported the cigarette tax if Republicans had supported health care expansion.

The Legislature adjourned sine die at midnight after a long day on Sunday, May 23.

Prior to adjournment, $260 million of a $900 million budget surplus was allotted to tax credits and cuts for parents, farmers, businesses, and college students. Lawmakers also passed extra spending measures for broadband internet infrastructure development and a statewide voluntary preschool program. Despite several last minute efforts, the Legislature could not come to agreement on a bonding bill to fund construction and transportation projects prior to the end of the session.

A special session could be called soon to address the bonding bill.

On May 19, the fifth session of the 40th parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia adjourned. The Local Elections Campaign Financing (Election Expenses) Amendment Act, 2016, also received royal assent on May 19. Member Bills 213, 219, and 229, which also dealt with campaign finance, did not progress pass the first reading stage.

The Legislature is scheduled to convene again this year on October 3.

On May 18, the Alaska Legislature hit the constitutional limit on session length of 121 days in session without reaching a budget deal. Gov. Bill Walker immediately called a special session scheduled to begin May 23.

In addition to the budget, the issue of oil and gas tax credits will also be addressed in the special session.

The 98th General Assembly adjourned Friday, May 13.

Although ethics reform was a top priority this session, lawmakers fell short of passing bills creating political contribution limits or prohibiting lobbyist gifts. The Legislature did approve a 6-month waiting period for public officials seeking to become lobbyists as well as prohibit legislators from serving as paid political consultants.

Both houses stand adjourned until Wednesday, May 25. They will convene for a technical session and then adjourn sine die on May 30 pursuant to constitutional mandate.

West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced a special legislative session set to begin Monday, May 16. The session is needed to enact the 2016-2017 budget.

The regular session adjourned March 15 without passing a budget bill. The state faces a potential government shutdown if a budget is not approved before July 1.

The General Assembly has completed its business for the year and adjourned the 2016 legislative session on Friday, May 6, 2016, a day ahead of schedule.

By joint resolution of the House and Senate, lawmakers will reconvene on June 9 if Gov. Shumlin vetoes any bill, otherwise the legislature will be adjourned sine die.

The session’s conclusion marks the end of an era as Gov. Shumlin, Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell, and House Speaker Shap Smith will not be returning next year.

On May 7, the Arizona Legislature adjourned its 52nd, Second regular session sine die at 5:45 a.m. The governor has 10 days once the Legislature has adjourned to sign a bill into law, veto a bill, or do nothing and allow it to become law without his or her signature. The governor does not have a pocket veto. The Legislature can override a governor’s veto with a vote of two-thirds of its members.

The 28th Hawaii State Legislature adjourned its regular session sine die on May 5, 2016.

Among other things, lawmakers approved funding for air-conditioning in public schools, appropriated money for statewide homeless programs, increased funds for preschool programs to provide families with opportunities for school readiness, and focused on growing jobs and the state economy.

The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned its regular session yesterday, May 4, 2016, without reaching a deal on the state budget.

As time ran out on the session, constitutionally mandated to end at midnight, Democratic leaders postponed a vote on the budget and will return next week for a special session. The Senate announced the special session will begin on May 12.

The Kansas Legislature adjourned after passing a budget in the early hours of May 2, 2016. Lawmakers have been in session only 73 of the scheduled 90 days and will return to the state capitol on June 1 for a brief adjournment ceremony.

Leadership is hopeful business has been completed for the year; however, more work may be ahead as the state’s supreme court reviews changes to how more than $4 billion is distributed to school districts. Justices will hear arguments on May 10.

Photo of the Kansas State Capital dome by Aviper2k7 on Wikimedia Commons.