In a legislature, a special session (also extraordinary session) is a period when the body convenes outside of the normal legislative session.

There are two main types of legislative sessions—regular and special (sometimes known as extraordinary). A regular session is the annual or biennial gathering of legislators, the starting date (and often, the length) of which is set by constitution or statute.

Nov 15, 2024 · A special session can run separately (i.e., outside the regular session) or concurrently with the regular session (i.e., at the same time). Just like in a regular session, officers are elected and rules are adopted by both the Assembly and Senate.

Jan 15, 2025 · NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that he will call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special session on Monday, January 27, to pass the Education Freedom Act.

Dec 2, 2024 · The special session, which will establish a new litigation fund, comes in response to the incoming federal administration’s signaled policy proposals that would harm Californians.

Nov 7, 2024 · The special session responds to the public statements and proposals put forward by President-elect Trump and his advisors, and actions taken during his first term in office — an agenda that could erode essential freedoms and individual rights, including women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights.

Feb 4, 2025 · Newsom called lawmakers into a special session in November to pass the proposals. The longtime Trump political rival said at the time that California’s freedoms were threatened by the Republican president’s election and that the state wouldn’t “sit idle” as he returned to the nation’s highest office.

Jul 9, 2021 · Special sessions can mean the difference between bills passing or dying — and the circumstances under which they are called can spell the difference between protecting or restricting voting rights. Today, we’ll explain what exactly a special session is and why they matter in the legislative process. What are special sessions?

3 days ago · The meaning of SPECIAL SESSION is an extraordinary session (as of a court or a legislative body).

Jan 13, 2025 · Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling state lawmakers into a special session to help carry out President-elect Donald Trump’s promises for a swift crackdown on immigration.