What do state legislatures do

A proposal to make a new law, or to change or repeal an existing law, is presented to the Legislature as a bill. To become law, a bill must pass both Houses by a majority vote and be approved by the Governor.

How a Bill Becomes Law presents the steps in the process. The Legislature can also propose amendments to the New Jersey Constitution. No action by the Governor is required. If passed, the proposed amendment is placed on the ballot in November for a public vote. An amendment may also be presented to the voters if the Legislature passes it two years in a row by a majority vote. Additional powers of the Legislature include Senatorial approval of the Governor's appointments of judges and other officials.

The Legislature is also empowered to ratify amendments to the U. Constitution; appoint the State Auditor ; judge the elections and qualifications of its members; and institute and conduct impeachment proceedings against State officials.

At the general election in November , the voters approved a constitutional amendment permitting the Legislature to review administrative rules and regulations. Formal legislative action is expressed through the passage of a bill, or by adoption of a resolution, which expresses the sentiments or opinions of the members. There are three types of resolutions. A joint resolution must pass both Houses and be signed by the Governor. A concurrent resolution must pass both Houses, but is not presented to the Governor.

A simple resolution is considered only by the House in which it is proposed. The State operates on a fiscal year that begins on July 1 and ends the following June The Governor delivers the annual budget message to the Legislature for the ensuing fiscal year on or before the third Tuesday following the first meeting of the Legislature, except in a gubernatorial inaugural year when it is delivered later.

Text of the proposed budget can be accessed at the State of New Jersey, the web site for the Executive Branch. Committee review of the Governor's budget proposals is conducted through staff research and a series of hearings during which members of the Executive Branch and the public provide testimony.

In recent years legislative budget hearings have generally taken place during the months of March, April, and May. The appropriations committees produce a budget in the form of an annual appropriations bill.

As with any other law, the appropriations bill must be passed by both Houses and approved by the Governor or enacted by overriding a veto. The budget must be signed by July 1. Legislators value the opinions and suggestions of their constituents.

In addition, through their professionally staffed district offices, legislators are prepared to respond to requests for information about legislative matters or for assistance in dealing with State agencies. You may call, write or electronically mail legislators at their district offices.

Consult the Roster of Members listing at this web site for district office addresses and phone numbers. The 10 states below introduced the greatest amount of legislation during these six months. In , the Texas state legislature introduced 5, bills, accounting for 7.

Your browser is outdated. Upgrade to a modern browser to better experience this site. Your browser has turned off or is blocking Javascript. Congress Legislation moves faster and is passed at higher frequencies at the state level than the federal level. Legislation at the state level is more likely to be enacted than federal legislation. The legislature adjourned on August 31, In , the legislature was in session from January 3, , through August 31, In , the legislature was in session from January 4 through August The formal session ended on August 31, but constitutionally the session adjourned sine die on November Major issues during the legislative session included medical marijuana, tuition in the University of California system, a proposed tax increase, internet privacy, regulation of web-based businesses, and healthcare for illegal immigrants.

Major issues during the legislative session included the biennial budget, prison overcrowding, and water bonds. Major issues in the legislative session included property taxes for education and tax breaks for students.

In , the legislature was in session from January 3 through September 9, The legislature was convened in an extraordinary session to act upon legislation that addressed the fiscal emergency proclaimed by Governor Jerry Brown R on January 20, In , the legislature was in session from January 12 to August The legislature held a special session from Aug 27, , to January 11, The legislature also held three other special sessions during the year on improving the tax system, the budget shortfall, and fiscal emergencies.

This is allowed under California's Constitution as approved in under proposition Upon issuance of a declaration of fiscal emergency, the legislature immediately reconvened and was not able to adjourn until after the fiscal situation was resolved. Section 3 of Article IV states that the legislature is to meet in regular session on the first Monday of December in each even-numbered year to organize.

The legislature adjourns by November 30 of the following even-numbered year. Section 3 also gives the governor of California the power to call special sessions of the legislature. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, , and adjourn on June 8, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, , and adjourn on June 15, The Colorado State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 14, , through May 26, The suspension had originally been scheduled to continue through March 30, The suspension was then subsequently extended, first to April 2, , then to May 18, , and then to May 26, The legislature adjourned on June 15, In , the legislature was in session from January 10, , through May 9, In , the legislature was in session from January 11, , through May 10, The legislature held a special session from October 2 to October 3.

In , the legislature was in session from January 7 through May 6. Major issues during the legislative session included energy development, the medical marijuana industry, tax refunds, and gun restrictions passed during the legislative session. Major issues during the legislative session included packages of bills for flood relief and wildfire mitigation. Major issues during the legislative session included gun control, immigration reform, election reform, and the enactment of laws to regulate and tax legal marijuana.

In , the legislature was in session from January 11 to May 9. A special session was held from May 14 to May Article V of the Colorado Constitution establishes when the Colorado General Assembly , of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 7 of Article V states that the assembly is to convene its regular session no later than the second Wednesday of January of each year.

Regular sessions are not to exceed calendar days. Section 7 also states that the governor of Colorado can convene special sessions of the general assembly. Special sessions can also be convened by a two-thirds vote of the members of both legislative houses. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, , and adjourn on June 9, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 5, , and adjourn on May 6, The Connecticut State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 12, The suspension was originally scheduled to lift at the end of March.

It was then extended to April 13, It was extended again to April 23, On April 21, , legislative leaders announced that the legislature would not reconvene in advance of its constitutional adjournment on May 6, The legislature convened a special session on July 21, The special session adjourned on July 27, In , the legislature was in session from February 7, , through May 9, In , the legislature was in session from January 4, , through June 7, The legislature held a veto session on July 24, The legislature held its first special session on July 31, The legislature held its second special session from September 14 to September The legislature held another special session on October 3.

State lawmakers held their fourth special session from October 25 to October The legislature met again in special session from November 14 to November In , the legislature was in session from February 3 through May 4.

The legislature held a special session from May to pass the state budget. In , the legislature was in session from January 7 through June 3. The legislature held a two-day special session from June 29 to June The legislature held a one-day special session on December 8. Major issues during the legislative session included a projected state budget deficit, transportation infrastructure, job expansion, lowering electricity costs for consumers, and domestic violence restraining orders.

Major issues during the legislative session included the biennial state budget, gun control, mental health, police training, and creating the Office of Early Childhood. Major issues during the legislative session included restrictions on gun ownership, an increase to the minimum wage, labels on genetically modified foods, and the ability for illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses.

In , the legislature was in session from January 5 through June 8. Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy D convened both houses in a special session to address budget cuts on June Individual and corporate income tax rates rose, along with inheritance, alcohol, cigarette, and gasoline levies.

The Republican legislative minority strongly criticized Malloy and Democratic leaders, calling their plan a "massive and unnecessary tax hike. Section 2 of Article III states that, in odd-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene its regular session on the Wednesday after the first Monday in January.

Section 2 requires regular sessions in odd-numbered years to adjourn by the Wednesday after the first Monday in June. The Constitution does not establish when the Legislature is supposed to meet in even-numbered years, so these dates are established by law.

In even-numbered years, the Legislature convenes on the Wednesday following the first Monday in February, pending the decision of the Legislature, and it must adjourn by the Wednesday after the first Monday in May. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, , and adjourn on June 30, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, , and adjourn on June 30, The Delaware State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 18, , through May 26, The suspension was initially scheduled to last through March 24, The legislature adjourned on June 30, In , the legislature was in session from January 9, , through June 30, In , the legislature was in session from January 10, , through June 30, The legislature held a special session on July 2.

Major issues in the legislative session included the annual budget, adding e-cigarettes to the Clean Indoor Air Act, and gun control. Major issues in the legislative session included raising the minimum wage, gun control, the budget, campaign finance, and the economy. Major issues in the legislative session included gun control, gay marriage, and budgetary problems. Legislators focused more on economic rather than social issues this session, including reforms to Medicaid and addressing the budget deficit.

Governor Jack Markell's D plan to cut public employee pension and health benefits received overwhelming support from officials within his administration, legislators and even public employee union officials.

It also eliminates the use of overtime when calculating pensions and the "double state share" health care benefit. Section 4 of Article II states that the General Assembly is to convene on the second Tuesday of January of each calendar year, and it is not to extend beyond the last day of June.

Section 4 also allows the General Assembly to be convened into special session by the Governor of Delaware or by the mutual call of the presiding officers of both Houses. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on March 2, , and adjourn on April 30, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, , and adjourn on March 19, No modifications to state legislative activity in Florida were made.

In , the legislature was in session from January 9, , through March 11, In , the legislature was in session from March 7, , through May 8, The legislature held a special session from June 7, , to June 9, In , the legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1. The first special session was held from June 1 to June The second special session was held from August 10 to August A third special session was held from October 19 to November 5.

Major issues during the legislative session included Gov. The legislature approved several bills, including legislation that would provide stand your grand immunity for people that fire warning shots, the legalization of non-euphoric medical marijuana, and allowing students born to undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates at state universities and colleges. The budget included a 5 percent raise for state law-enforcement officers and an increase for some working in the judiciary.

Critics of the budget argued that the budget should have included raises for a much larger portion of state workers. Major issues during the legislative session included ethics and election reforms, gambling laws, Medicaid, sales tax, and unmanned drone use by law enforcement. In , the Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 9.

In , the legislature reduced government spending and avoided raising taxes. Florida also removed 14, businesses from corporate tax income rolls.

Areas that spending was cut included education and social programs. Section 3 of Article III states that the regular session of the Legislature is to convene on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year and on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each even-numbered year. Regular sessions of the Legislature are not to exceed sixty days, unless extended by a three-fifths vote of each house.

Section 3 also allows for the convening of special sessions, either by the proclamation of the governor of Florida or as otherwise provided by law.

In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, , and adjourn on March 31, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, , and adjourn on June 26, The Georgia State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 14, , through June 15, The legislature adjourned on June 26, In , the legislature was in session from January 8, , through March 29, Major issues during the legislative session included medical marijuana, driver's licenses for those with lawful alien status and another look at Sen.

Joshua McKoon 's R religious freedom bill that created controversy in the last session. Medical marijuana previously stalled in the legislature after the two chambers could not agree on a bill. Major issues during the legislative session included moving up the state primary date to match the federal one, the state budget, and increases to K education funding. In , the legislature passed a bill that allows licensed gun owners to carry firearms into public places, including schools, bars, churches, government buildings, and elsewhere.

On May 9, , a poll commissioned by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution showed that 59 percent of those surveyed disapproved of the law, although 57 percent of Georgia voters supported gun rights more generally, while 37 percent disagreed. The poll surveyed 1, Georgia adults. Governor Nathan Deal R called the legislature into special session for August 15 to consider congressional and legislative redistricting plans based on the census.

The General Assembly must convene annually by the second Monday in January, and its sessions can last for only forty legislative days. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 20, , and adjourn on April 29, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 15, , and adjourn on July 10, The legislature adjourned on July 10, In , the legislature was in session from January 17, , through May 3, In , the legislature was in session from January 18, , through May 4, The legislature held its first special session from August 28, , to September 1, The legislature held its second special session from September 25 to September The legislature held its third special session on November In , the legislature was in session from January 20 through May 5.

The legislature held a special session from July 12 to July In , the legislature was in session from January 21 through May 7. The legislature convened a two-day special session on November 5 over judicial nominees.

Major issues in the legislative session included the general excise tax, medical marijuana, and homelessness. Major issues during the legislative session included GMO labeling, raising the minimum wage, clean energy, and climate change. A budget for the fiscal year was passed through HB Major issues during the legislative session included revenue, hotel room tax, GET increase, education funding, and renewable energy tax credits.

The legislature focused on job creation, creating a sustainable economy, sustainable and renewable energy, improving the state's information technology infrastructure, and education funding. Section 10 of Article III states that the Legislature shall convene in regular session on the third Wednesday in January of every year.

Regular sessions are limited to sixty legislative days, but they can be extended by fifteen days by the Governor of Hawaii or by the request of two-thirds of each legislative house.

Section 10 mandates that the Legislature take a mandatory recess of at least five days during each regular session. Section 10 also contains provisions regarding special sessions of the Legislature. Special sessions can involve both houses of the Legislature or the Senate alone.

Special sessions can be convened by the Governor of Hawaii or by two-thirds of the house or houses seeking to convene. Special sessions are limited in length. They are not to last more than thirty legislative days, but they, like regular sessions, can be extended for fifteen days.

In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, , and adjourn on May 12, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, , and adjourn on March 20, The Idaho State Legislature convened a special session on August 24, The special session adjourned on August 26, In , the legislature was in session from January 8, , through March 28, In , the legislature was in session from January 12 through April The legislature had a one-day special session on May 18 about child support enforcement.

Major issues during the legislative session included increased education funding, infrastructure improvements, tax reductions, government transparency, and additions to the state's Human Rights Act. Major issues during the legislative session included the creation of a state-controlled health exchange, school reform, business tax breaks, and ethics rules. Legislators considered setting up a state-based health care exchange as required under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Conservative legislators opposed to the law sought to set up a public-private ownership as a compromise, rather that risking the federal government setting up one on the state's behalf.

The budget and public education reform were also major issues. According to Idaho Code, the Idaho Legislature convenes annually at noon on the Monday closest to the 9th of January. Section 8 also states that the Governor of Idaho can convene special sessions of the Legislature at any time. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, , and adjourn on June 1, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, , and adjourn on May 23, The Illinois General Assembly suspended its session, effective March 16, The suspension was originally set to expire the week of March 23, It was subsequently extended.

The legislature reconvened on May 20, , before adjourning on May 23, In , the legislature was in session from January 8, , through May 31, In , the legislature was in session from January 11, , through May 31, The legislature held its first special session from June 21, , to July 6, The legislature held its second special session from July 26, , to July 31, The state Senate met on August 13, , to override Gov.

Bruce Rauner 's R veto of a school funding formula. The state House met on August 16, but did not override the veto. The Illinois state Legislature met again from August 28 to August 29 in special session over school funding. The legislature held a veto session from October 24 to November 9. In , the legislature was in session from January 14 through December 7 extended session. Major issues during the legislative session included a potential income tax increase, a statewide minimum wage and federal healthcare funding.

Major issues during the legislative session included the pending expiration of a temporary income tax, corporate tax incentives, Chicago pension reform, and capital construction. Major issues during the legislative session included regulation of horizontal hydraulic fracturing, concealed carry, same-sex marriage, and pension reform. In , the General Assembly was in session from January June 1.

A special session was called by Governor Pat Quinn D to settle disputes regarding Illinois construction projects on June 22, Section 5 also creates rules for the convening of special sessions. When the Governor calls a special session, the General Assembly can generally only deal with matters related to the purpose of the session, as stated by the Governor's proclamation of the session, but they can also deal with impeachments or confirmation of appointments.

Section 5 also allows the presiding officers of both houses of the General Assembly to convene a special session through joint proclamation. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, , and adjourn on October 1, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, , and adjourn on March 11, No modifications to state legislative activity in Indiana were made.

In , the legislature was in session from January 2, , through March 16, Major issues in the legislative session included infrastructure improvements, decreasing the reliance on standardized testing in schools, and civil protections for LGBT people. Major issues during the legislative session included an increase in education funding, funding for roads and bridges, Sunday alcohol sales, and funding 's criminal code overhaul. Major issues during the legislative session included a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, elimination of the state tax on business equipment, and education reforms, including whether Indiana should continue participating in Common Core.

Major issues during the legislative session included education funding, utility bills, riverboat gambling, and regulation of how much pseudoephedrine individuals can buy annually. Main issues included right-to-work legislation, a statewide smoking ban, a tax raise to finance a mass transit system, and elimination of the state's inheritance tax. The legislation sought to ban companies and unions from negotiating a contract that requires non-union members to pay union dues.

Republicans argued that the move would bring jobs to the state while Democrats said that it would lead to lower wages. In the session, the Indiana legislature reduced the corporate income tax from 8.

On June 30, the state's largest agency, the Family and Social Services Administration, was accidentally eliminated due to a major clerical error during the drafting of legislation related to the agency. The administration helps more than a million people access Medicaid and food stamps in Indiana.

According to the AP, "Senate Bill was intended to repeal a provision already in law that would have automatically eliminated the Family and Social Services Administration - called a sunset. The sunset language was set for June The bill that repealed the sunset provision went into effect July 1, so technically, FSSA was eliminated minutes before the bill intended to save it went into effect. The mistake was noticed days after the new law went into effect and caught many welfare recipients and legislative leaders off guard.

Article 4 of the Indiana Constitution establishes when the Indiana General Assembly , of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 9 of Article 4 states that the General Assembly will begin its regular session on the Tuesday following the second Monday in January of each year.

However, Section 9 allows the starting date for the session to be changed by law. This has happened in Indiana in , as the General Assembly's session convened on January 5 instead of the constitutionally designated date, which was January Section 9 also gives the Governor of Indiana the power to call special sessions of the General Assembly. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, , and adjourn on May 19, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, , and adjourn on June 14, The suspension was initially scheduled to last through April 15, It was subsequently extended further, first to April 30, , then to May 15, , and then to June 3, The legislature adjourned on June 14, In , the legislature was in session from January 8, , through May 5, Major issues during the legislative session included road funding, state budget, income tax cuts, broadband expansion, school calendars, local option sales taxes, medical marijuana, eminent domain, banning traffic cameras, and a sales tax increase.

Major issues during the legislative session included cutting the state income tax, increasing the gas tax, and a minimum wage increase. Major issues during the legislative session included education reform, providing healthcare for low-income and other uninsured residents, and a tax relief package that sought to lower property taxes.

In , the General Assembly was in session from January 10 through July 1. The legislature had an extended session due to concerns on how to reduce commercial property taxes. House Republicans favored a 25 percent reduction in commercial property tax rates, while Senate Democrats proposed a tax credit that would be paid directly to the owners of the commercial properties. Iowa legislative rules allow lawmakers to receive per diem for a maximum of days in even numbered years, and days in odd numbered years.

The th calendar day of the session was April The rules may be amended at any time to extend the legislative session. The six percent increase was one percent higher than expected. The Senate approved the plan by a vote of and the House by Lawmakers failed to agree on reforms to the state's property tax system. House Republicans called for across-the-board property tax cuts, while Democrats sought to limit tax concessions to small businesses.

Section 2 of the article states that the General Assembly is to convene its regular session on the second Monday of January of each year. The General Assembly can also be called into special session by a proclamation of the Governor of Iowa or by a written request of two-thirds of both houses of the General Assembly.

In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, , and adjourn on May 26, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, , and adjourn on May 21, The Kansas State Legislature suspended its session effective March 19, A veto session scheduled for April 27, , was delayed to May 21, , at which time the legislature reconvened before adjourning the session.

A special session was convened on June 3, The special session ended June 4, In , the legislature was in session from January 8, , through April 7, In , the legislature was in session from January 9, , through June 26, The legislature held a veto session from May 1 to June In , the legislature was in session from January 11 through June 1. A special session was held from June 23 to June 24 over education funding.

Major issues during the legislative session included school funding, changing the state's court nomination system, and Medicaid expansion.

Major issues during the legislative session included school funding, a settlement between tobacco companies and the state, mental health funding, KanCare, unauthorized immigration, pension system changes, shifting taxes to the local level, and liquor sales.

In , the legislature was scheduled to be in session from January 9 through May However, the session was extended through the 20th. Major issues which remained unresolved included education funding, state employee pension reform, redistricting , and the budget. My hope is that they wrap it up here pretty soon.

Alongside the budget, legislators considered reforming the school financing formula and expanding Medicaid's managed care system. In the session, the legislature allowed expensing , a way for businesses to receive larger tax deductions for start-up costs such as new equipment and software. In response, state education administrators petitioned lawmakers to restore some of the funding for schools that was eliminated as part of Governor Sam Brownback's R measures the previous year.

In , the legislature's regular session was scheduled to last from January 11 to March However, the session was extended, and it did not adjourn until May Article 2 of the Kansas Constitution establishes when the Kansas State Legislature , of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 8 of Article 2 states that the Legislature is to convene on the second Monday of January of each year. Section 8 also limits the length of regular sessions in even-numbered years to ninety calendar days, but it allows these sessions to be extended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of both houses.

In , this kind of extension occurred, moving the session's adjournment date from March 30th to May 28th. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, , and adjourn on March 30, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 7, , and adjourn on April 15, The legislature adjourned on April 15, In , the legislature was in session from January 2, , through April 14, In , the legislature was in session from January 3, , through March 30, The legislature held a veto session from March 16 to March Major issues in the legislative session included legislation regarding unions, repeal of the prevailing wage, teacher pensions, charter schools, and the budget.

Major issues in the legislative session included heroin abuse, telecom deregulation, and the solvency of the state teacher pension system. Major issues during the legislative session included the biennial state budget, casino gambling, tax reform based on the recommendations of commission, and raising the minimum wage. Major issues during the legislative session included reforms to the state's tax code, pension plans for governmental retirees, legalization of casino style gambling, and redistricting.

In , the legislature was in session from January 4 through April 9. A special session was held from March 14 to April 6.

It focused on balancing the state's Medicaid budget. Section 36 of The Legislative Department of the Kentucky Constitution establishes when the Kentucky General Assembly , which the Senate is a part of, is required to meet.

Regular Sessions convene on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January. Sessions in odd numbered years can last no more than 30 legislative days and must be concluded by March Sessions in even numbered years can last no more than 60 legislative days and must be concluded by April The governor may call additional special sessions.

Bills may be filed at anytime the House and Senate Clerks' offices are open. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on April 12, , and adjourn on June 10, The Louisiana State Legislature initially suspended its session from March 16, , through March 31, The legislature resumed its session on May 4, In , the legislature was in session from March 12, , through May 18, In , the legislature was in session from April 10, , through June 8, The legislature held its first special session from February 13, , to February 22, The legislature held its second special session from June 8, , to June 16, In , the legislature was in session from March 14 through June 6.

A special session was held from February 14 to March 9 to address the state's budget gap. Major issues in the legislative session included Common Core , education funding, Medicaid expansion, the coastal erosion lawsuit filed by the South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, and legalization of medical marijuana.

Major issues during the legislative session included the state budget, an overhaul of public education, increasing the retirement age of public workers, gun control, and abortion. In , the Legislature was in regular session from April 25 through June The Legislature undertook a special session from March 20 to April 13, focusing on redistricting following the census.

In , the Legislature was in session from March 29 to June Section 2 of Article III states that, in even-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene on the last Monday in March and meet for no more than sixty legislative days during a period of eighty-five calendar days.

In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is to convene on the last Monday in April and meet for no more than forty-five legislative days during a period of sixty calendar days.

During regular sessions in odd-numbered years, the Legislature can only consider measures regarding the state budget, revenues, and appropriations. Section 2 of Article III also allows the Legislature to be called into a special session by the Governor of Louisiana or by a majority of the members of each legislative house.

During special sessions, the Legislature can only legislate on matters related to the proclaimed purposes of the session. Section 2 of Article III also authorizes the Governor of Louisiana to call an emergency session without prior notice in the event of a public emergency. In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on December 2, , and adjourn on March 30, In , the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, , and adjourn on March 17, The Maine State Legislature adjourned its session early, effective March 17, , in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In , the legislature was in session from December 7, , through July 4, The legislature reconvened on July 20, , to override vetoes and other unfinished business. The legislature held a veto session on August 2, The Legislature held a special session on October 23 over a food sovereignty law and funding for the state mapping agency. The Legislature met in special session on November 6 over Gov. LePage's veto of a bill that would legalize the sale of recreational marijuana.

The House did not have enough votes to override the veto. In , the legislature was in session from January 6 through April A one-day veto session was held on April In , the legislature was in session from December 3, , through July 16, extended session.

Major issues in the legislative session included the state economy, government financial aid, and energy policy. Major issues during the legislative session included Medicaid expansion vetoed by Gov. Paul LePage R during the last session and government financial aid. LD called for a referendum to amend the Maine State Constitution to shift the selection of these officers from the Legislature to voters. At the time, legislators selected all three officers every two years. This legislation was blocked on June 3 by the Maine State Senate The House and Senate votes largely followed party lines with Democratic majorities in both houses.

Republican majorities in the House and Senate blocked similar legislation in They also looked to restructure the state Medicaid system, reduce energy costs, and improve charter schools. In , the legislature was in session from December 1, , to June 28, Maine statutes required the legislature to adjourn by June 15, however, pursuant to Joint Order S. Dirigo Health, an "experiment in near-universal health care," would be phased out entirely by the beginning of LePage's first budget also cut government financial aid programs including benefits for legal noncitizens and limited participation in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families TANF program to five years.

Section 1 of the Part states that, following a legislative election, the Legislature is to convene its first regular session on the first Wednesday of December. The second regular session of the legislature is to convene in the next even-numbered year. This second session is to convene on the first Wednesday after the first Tuesday in January.