Definition:
The term is used to refer both to a particular day's meeting of the House or the Senate and to the entire period for which the Legislature has been convened. The types of session that may be convened are: executive, extended, joint, organization, regular, and special.
Executive Session: A session excluding from the chamber or committee room all persons other than members and essential staff personnel. Section 4(b) of Article III of the State Constitution provides that the Senate may resolve itself into executive session for the sole purpose of considering a person's appointment to office or removal or suspension from office. Extended Session: A regular or special session that has been prolonged beyond its allocated time in order to complete action on introduced legislation. Extension of a session requires a three-fifths vote by members in each house. Joint Session: The annual session held the first day of a regular session in the House Chamber and attended by members of both houses, the Governor, the Cabinet, members of the Supreme Court, and invited guests. During this session, the Governor informs the Legislature concerning the condition of the state, proposes such reorganization of the executive department as will promote efficiency and economy, and recommends measures in the public interest. Joint sessions are also held on other occasions. Organization Session: Section 3(a) of Article III of the State Constitution directs the Legislature to convene on the 14th day after the general election, solely for the purpose of organization and election of officers. Regular Session: The annual session that begins on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year, and on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in January, or such other date as may be fixed by law, of each even-numbered year, for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days. There is no limit on the subject matter that may be introduced in a regular session. Special Session: Special sessions may be called by Proclamation of the Governor, by Joint Proclamation of the House Speaker and the Senate President, or by the members of the Legislature for the purpose of considering specific legislation and shall not exceed 20 consecutive days unless extended by a three-fifths vote of each house. In order for members of the Legislature to call a special session, three-fifths of the members of both houses must vote in favor of calling a special session. |