September 20, 2017 •
Rhode Island Legislature Meeting in Rare Fall Session
Rhode Island lawmakers returned this week to work through legislation abandoned by the General Assembly’s abrupt recess in June amid a budget dispute. The General Assembly is considering a handful of bills including legislation requiring paid time off for workers […]
Rhode Island lawmakers returned this week to work through legislation abandoned by the General Assembly’s abrupt recess in June amid a budget dispute.
The General Assembly is considering a handful of bills including legislation requiring paid time off for workers who call in sick. There is no recess date planned.
The Legislature is scheduled for final adjournment on January 2, 2018.
September 15, 2017 •
Colorado Governor Calls for Special Legislative Session in October
Gov. John Hickenlooper has called a special legislative session on Oct. 2 to fix a budgeting issue that resulted from consolidating two marijuana taxes. A bill-drafting error inadvertently left out the Regional Transportation District, the Denver Zoo, and other Denver-based […]
Gov. John Hickenlooper has called a special legislative session on Oct. 2 to fix a budgeting issue that resulted from consolidating two marijuana taxes.
A bill-drafting error inadvertently left out the Regional Transportation District, the Denver Zoo, and other Denver-based institutions from receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in marijuana tax revenue.
Republican leaders reacted angrily, claiming they had not been consulted about a game plan and questioning why this could not wait till the regular session convenes in January.
Per the state constitution, lawmakers are required to convene when called, but they are not required to take action.
September 6, 2017 •
Alaska Governor Plans Fourth Special Session
Alaska Governor Bill Walker asked his legislative director to notify legislators he will be calling a special session to convene on October 23. The focus of this special session will be on finding alternative forms of revenue that are vital […]
Alaska Governor Bill Walker asked his legislative director to notify legislators he will be calling a special session to convene on October 23.
The focus of this special session will be on finding alternative forms of revenue that are vital in stabilizing the state’s economy, but the exact bills to be discussed will be announced in the official special session proclamation issued on or before September 22.
September 1, 2017 •
North Carolina Legislature Adjourns, Agrees to Reconvene in October
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on August 31 after finishing a two-week special session. Members voted on new legislative districts per court order and voted to override two vetoes by the governor. The Legislature will reconvene on October 4, […]
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on August 31 after finishing a two-week special session.
Members voted on new legislative districts per court order and voted to override two vetoes by the governor.
The Legislature will reconvene on October 4, 2017, to consider constitutional amendments, election regulations, and to draw new judicial districts.
August 18, 2017 •
Oklahoma Governor Considering Special Legislative Session
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin wants a special legislative session to address a budget shortfall caused by a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court Ruling. The Court struck down a cigarette fee resulting in $215 million in lost revenue. If the budget is […]
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin wants a special legislative session to address a budget shortfall caused by a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court Ruling. The Court struck down a cigarette fee resulting in $215 million in lost revenue.
If the budget is not reappropriated, the ruling will force four state agencies to restructure their budgets due to loss of funds. Money cannot be transferred to the affected agencies without a legislative directive.
Though a special session is likely inevitable, legislative leadership has suggested the governor wait to call a session because there are other revenue-related court cases still pending.
August 16, 2017 •
Texas Special Session Adjourns Sine Die
The Texas Legislature ended its special legislative session abruptly Tuesday night without a resolution on Gov. Greg Abbott’s top priority of property tax reform. The House adjourned earlier in the day leaving the Senate to accept their version of the […]
The Texas Legislature ended its special legislative session abruptly Tuesday night without a resolution on Gov. Greg Abbott’s top priority of property tax reform.
The House adjourned earlier in the day leaving the Senate to accept their version of the property tax reform bill or not pass one. The Senate did not accept the House version and the session ended without fanfare.
Some Senators are calling for Gov. Abbott to call a second special session solely for the issue.
About half of the session’s 20-item agenda was accomplished, including the passage of several sunset bills.
August 7, 2017 •
Talk of Utah Special Session
Rumors of a special session of the Utah Legislature to allocate money or legislation concerning the homeless and lawlessness in downtown Salt Lake City have been circling this week. Gov. Gary Herbert said he’s willing to call a special session […]
Rumors of a special session of the Utah Legislature to allocate money or legislation concerning the homeless and lawlessness in downtown Salt Lake City have been circling this week.
Gov. Gary Herbert said he’s willing to call a special session of the Utah Legislature if necessary to put the proper steps in motion to rid the Rio Grande area of the city of its drug dealing. A stepped-up effort to clean up downtown’s Rio Grande area has been created to transform downtown into a safe place that residents can once again enjoy without fear.
House Speaker Greg Hughes called the rumors premature but progress in the coming weeks will tell.
August 1, 2017 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers to Convene Special Session
Wisconsin lawmakers are scheduled to convene this morning specifically to consider and act upon legislation to bring Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics manufacturing services provider, to the state. Though the legislature is still in regular session, Gov. Walker called a […]
Wisconsin lawmakers are scheduled to convene this morning specifically to consider and act upon legislation to bring Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics manufacturing services provider, to the state.
Though the legislature is still in regular session, Gov. Walker called a special legislative session to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Wisconsin to lead the nation in high-tech manufacturing.
The legislation to be considered could bring 13,000 direct Foxconn jobs, 10,000 direct construction jobs, and 22,000 additional project-related jobs to the state.
July 24, 2017 •
Washington Legislature Adjourns Special Session
On July 20, the Washington Legislature adjourned its third special session sine die. Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill due to negotiations breaking down on a water-rights bill that was tied to the budget. Gov. Jay […]
On July 20, the Washington Legislature adjourned its third special session sine die.
Lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on a budget bill due to negotiations breaking down on a water-rights bill that was tied to the budget.
Gov. Jay Inslee indicated that he would not call lawmakers back for another overtime session unless they have a firm plan that will lead to a vote on the capital budget.
July 19, 2017 •
Texas Special Session Convenes
The Texas Legislature convened a special session Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Gov. Greg Abbott selected 20 bills for the agenda to be discussed by lawmakers during the session. The priority for the session is sunset legislation to allow select state […]
The Texas Legislature convened a special session Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Gov. Greg Abbott selected 20 bills for the agenda to be discussed by lawmakers during the session.
The priority for the session is sunset legislation to allow select state agencies to continue operating.
Among the other subjects on the agenda are bathroom privacy, property tax, and multiple education issues.
The special session comes a week after Gov. Abbott announced his bid for a second term.
July 18, 2017 •
Alaska Adjourns Second Special Session
Alaska’s second special session adjourned July 15 with lawmakers ending the oil tax credit program. The Legislature may be called back into another special session soon to deal with the unfinished business of the capital budget and deficit reduction measures. […]
Alaska’s second special session adjourned July 15 with lawmakers ending the oil tax credit program.
The Legislature may be called back into another special session soon to deal with the unfinished business of the capital budget and deficit reduction measures.
Gov. Bill Walker said in a press conference he is waiting for legislative leaders to present a compromise on the budget before he will call another costly special session.
July 14, 2017 •
Hawaii Lawmakers Plan for Special Legislative Session
Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki recently sent a memorandum to the Hawaii Legislature providing notice of a tentatively scheduled special legislative session. Subject to final confirmation and an agreement on the proposed language for bills […]
Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki recently sent a memorandum to the Hawaii Legislature providing notice of a tentatively scheduled special legislative session.
Subject to final confirmation and an agreement on the proposed language for bills to be discussed, the leadership asked all lawmakers to be in Hawaii for a legislative session from August 28 to September 1, 2017.
The purpose of the special session will be to create a solution to fund the Honolulu Rail Transit Project.
June 19, 2017 •
Alaska Convenes Second Special Session
The Alaska Legislature’s first special session ran out of time on June 16 without lawmakers passing a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Gov. Bill Walker immediately called a second special session convening that same day […]
The Alaska Legislature’s first special session ran out of time on June 16 without lawmakers passing a budget bill to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit.
Gov. Bill Walker immediately called a second special session convening that same day to address the budget.
Alaska faces a government shutdown if a budget is not adopted by July 1.
June 7, 2017 •
Texas Governor Calls July Special Session
Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session of the Texas Legislature on Tuesday in an effort to push through a bill package necessary to keep some state agencies from closing. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick intentionally kept the legislation, known as […]
Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session of the Texas Legislature on Tuesday in an effort to push through a bill package necessary to keep some state agencies from closing.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick intentionally kept the legislation, known as a sunset bill, from passing in order to force a special session to discuss other items that did not pass during the regular session of the Legislature.
Gov. Abbott announced a 20-item agenda for the session but stated no other legislation would be looked at until the sunset bill is passed in full. Some other items listed on the agenda include school finance reform and mail-in ballot fraud.
The special session is scheduled to convene July 18, 2017.
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