July 16, 2019 •
Kentucky Governor Announces Start Date of Special Session

The Kentucky State Capitol building
Gov. Matt Bevin announced he will convene the Kentucky General Assembly into special session at 8 a.m. on July 19. Since the conclusion of the 2019 regular session, Bevin has been working with state legislators preparing for a special session […]
Gov. Matt Bevin announced he will convene the Kentucky General Assembly into special session at 8 a.m. on July 19.
Since the conclusion of the 2019 regular session, Bevin has been working with state legislators preparing for a special session to help Kentucky’s quasi-agencies from the financial burden caused by the state’s looming public pension crisis.
Agencies needing help include regional universities, health departments, domestic violence centers, and community health centers,
An official proclamation will be issued later this week in accordance with the Kentucky Constitution.
July 15, 2019 •
Kentucky Special Session Likely for July 19

Ky Gov. Matt Bevin - Gage Skidmore
Gov. Matt Bevin is set to call a special legislative session to pass a bill giving relief to quasi-governmental groups from the soaring pension costs they must pay starting this month. The special session will have to start on July […]
Gov. Matt Bevin is set to call a special legislative session to pass a bill giving relief to quasi-governmental groups from the soaring pension costs they must pay starting this month.
The special session will have to start on July 19 or regional universities, health departments, and others will have to wait until after a critical deadline to receive relief from a massive increase in pension costs.
Lawmakers passed a bill providing relief in March, but Bevin vetoed the bill because of concerns that parts of the bill were illegal and the measure would be financially harmful to the state’s cash strapped pension funds.
July 8, 2019 •
Hawaii Lawmakers Won’t Convene a Special Session to Override Gov.’s Vetoes

Hawaii Capitol Building
Leaders in the state Senate and House of Representatives announced on July 5 that lawmakers will not attempt to override any vetoes issued by Gov. David Ige. House Speaker Scott Sakiki said the Legislature would not convene an override session […]
Leaders in the state Senate and House of Representatives announced on July 5 that lawmakers will not attempt to override any vetoes issued by Gov. David Ige.
House Speaker Scott Sakiki said the Legislature would not convene an override session due to a lack of consensus between the Senate and the House.
Gov. Ige has identified 20 bills that he intends to veto of the 303 passed by lawmakers this year.
Ige has until Tuesday, July 9 to make his final decision on issuing vetoes.
June 27, 2019 •
Tennessee Calls Special Session on August 23

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 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 14, 2019 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns First Special Session, Governor Calls Second

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 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 17, 2019 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns, Governor Calls Special Session

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 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.
October 25, 2018 •
Georgia Governor Announces Special Session
Gov. Nathan Deal announced a special session for November 13 regarding the costs associated with Hurricane Michael. The hurricane lead to deaths and destruction of property in southwest Georgia last month. The governor’s office expects the recovery costs to be […]
Gov. Nathan Deal announced a special session for November 13 regarding the costs associated with Hurricane Michael.
The hurricane lead to deaths and destruction of property in southwest Georgia last month.
The governor’s office expects the recovery costs to be more than $100 million.
The legislature will also vote on an executive order passed by Gov. Deal last July suspending the collection of sales tax on jet fuel.
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