The Illinois House of Representatives adjourned its two-year legislative session sine die on Wednesday, December 3.

Some state business will be left until Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner and a new General Assembly take office in January. It is possible, however, for outgoing Gov. Pat Quinn to call a special session to force a vote on legislation increasing the minimum wage before he leaves office.

The Senate did not formally adjourn and will sit in session on January 13.

Photo of the Illinois Capitol Building by Daniel Schwen on Wikimedia Commons.

In an about-face, Gov. Jay Nixon announced a special session is not necessary.

After alerting the Legislature he was planning on calling a special session, legislative leaders suggested the governor already possessed the power required to ensure Missouri Highway Patrol officers and Missouri National Guard troops were paid for the time spent dealing with unrest in Ferguson.

The governor agreed with the leadership’s suggested interpretation of the law and declared the special session no longer necessary.

Photo of the statue of Thomas Jefferson at the south entrance of the Missouri State Capitol by Nickbigd on Wikimedia Commons.

Gov. Jay Nixon has informed legislative leaders he would be calling a special session to address funding issues related to the deployment of Missouri National Guard troops and Missouri State Highway Patrol officers in the city of Ferguson.

Gov. Nixon has yet to issue a formal call with the convening date for the session, but has stated he will do so shortly.

Photo of Gov. Jay Nixon by Bernard Pollack on Wikimedia Commons.

Legislators will meet beginning Monday, November 24, 2014 in a special session.

Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla called a special session to debate an increase in an oil tax in an attempt to bolster the financial standing of the Highway and Transportation Authority.

Photo of the Capitol of Puerto Rico courtesy of Mtmelendez on Wikimedia Commons.

The Nevada Legislature adjourned its special session on September 11, 2014, after sending four bills to the governor.

The four bills were a tax incentive package designed to bring a Tesla Motors battery factory to the state.

Photo of the Nevada Legislature courtesy of Dave Parker on Wikimedia Commons.

Gov. Brian Sandoval ordered the Nevada Legislature into special session beginning Wednesday, September 10, 2014.

The purpose of the special session is to consider tax breaks offered to Tesla Motors in exchange for locating a battery plant in Nevada.

Photo of the Nevada Legislature courtesy of Dave Parker on Wikimedia Commons.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will not call a special legislative session to make changes to a new law regulating above-ground storage tanks. The law, created in response to the chemical contamination of drinking water for 300,000 people, sets a January 1 deadline for the implementation of tank inspections.

Lawmakers urged the governor to call a special session, believing that the deadline is unattainable and overly burdensome. Gov. Tomblin instead plans to use administrative means to adjust the law, placing greater focus on high risk areas and hazardous materials.

The Florida Legislature will convene a special session at noon on Thursday, August 7, 2014. The special session is a result of a ruling by Judge Terry Lewis ordering the Legislature to revise its congressional district maps, specifically for the 5th and 10th Congressional Districts.

The Legislature could potentially adjourn as early as Monday, August 11, under a proposed schedule released by House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz. However, the Legislature has until August 15 to revise the maps.

Photo of the Florida State Capitol by Jenn Greiving on Wikimedia Commons.

Lawmakers ended a special session shortly after midnight on Wednesday, July 2, 2014. The House and Senate gave approval to a package of bills regarding teacher health insurance premiums, prison overcrowding, and limits on lottery monitor games.

Photo of Arkansas State Capitol Building by Stuart Seeger on Wikimedia Commons.

Gov. Mike Beebe has indicated a special session will be called to address overcrowding in jails and teacher insurance. The House and Senate will consider a bill to add 600 beds to the Department of Corrections facilities and the Pulaski County Jail.

Lawmakers will also consider a plan to reduce insurance costs for public school employees by eliminating part-time employees and spouses who have other options for health coverage.

The session will begin on June 30 and last until July 2, 2014.

Today Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer called for a special session of the Legislature to convene on May 27.

According to Brewer’s press release, the purpose of the special session will be to “overhaul the state’s child safety system” by creating and funding an entity called the Department of Child Safety, “a new, stand-alone agency whose sole focus is the safety of Arizona’s children.”

If passed, the state child welfare programs would be removed from the authority of the Department of Economic Security.

The regular session adjourned on April 24.

Photo of the Arizona State Capitol courtesy of Jeff Dean on Wikimedia Commons.

Delaware Lt. Gov. Matt Denn recently announced his candidacy for attorney general in 2014. If he is elected in November, the office of the lieutenant governor would be vacant until 2016.

Delaware law has no provision to address such a vacancy, so legislators in both houses have introduced bills for a constitutional amendment mandating a special election in these and similar circumstances.

Legislators can pass a constitutional amendment calling for a special election, but they must pass the bill twice. In order to accomplish this before the 2016 general election, the Legislature must pass the first part of the amendment by June 30, 2014.

Despite the adjournment of the Maine Legislature on May 2, 2014, legislators are still debating issues.

Republican leaders are urging Democrats to reconvene for a special session to address a funding crisis for the state’s nursing homes.

Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special session of the Legislature to convene on April 24, 2014.

Brown wants lawmakers to replace the rainy day fund measure currently on the November ballot with a new constitutional amendment establishing a dedicated reserve capable of paying down state debts and unfunded liabilities.
Photo of the California Senate Chamber by David Monniaux on Wikimedia Commons.