States, cities & tribes
special session
A legislative session outside the regular calendar, called by the governor or by the legislature itself, usually limited to specific subjects.
In full
Most states restrict what may be considered in a special session, often to the topics named in the governor's call. Special sessions are used for budget emergencies, court-ordered redistricting, disaster response, and occasionally for contentious legislation that failed during the regular session.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.