Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

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Each state has its own legislature. The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[1] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Forty-six state legislatures hold regular sessions annually. The other four states—Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas—meet in odd-numbered years. The length of a session may be set by a state's constitution, a statute, or by the legislature and varies among the states. Special or extraordinary sessions may also be called by a state's governor or legislature over a specific subject matter during or after a regular session.

Ten state legislatures have full-time legislators, meaning the legislature meets throughout the year. All other legislators are considered part-time because they only meet for a portion of the year.[2]

This page gives information on the 2023 legislative sessions in all 50 states.

  • The legislative map, which was updated weekly, shows what states adjourned, were in regular session, or were special session.
  • The session table breaks down the start and end date of a state's legislative session, the length of the session, special sessions, and trifecta status.
  • The methodology Ballotpedia used to assemble the map and chart.
  • A glossary of terms specific to legislative sessions.

Map of legislative sessions

The legislative map below shows 2023 state legislative session information. States with full-time legislators may meet throughout the year after adjourning their regularly scheduled sessions. The map was updated every Friday with information gathered by MultiState and the National Conference of State Legislatures.


State legislative sessions

The state legislative session table below breaks down the start and end date of a state's 2023 legislative session, the length of the session, and also covers any special sessions that were called. The table was updated weekly to reflect any notable events that occurred in a state's session. Information was gathered from MultiState and the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Key:

  • Not yet conveneda = Not yet convened
  • State's session adjourneda = State's session adjourned
  • State in regular sessiona = State in regular session
  • State in special sessiona = State in special session
  • No regular session scheduleda = No regular session scheduled
  • This state's session is not a regular or special session.a = This state's session is not a regular or special session.
  • (*) - This state has full-time legislators.
  • (**) - This state did not adjourn on designated dates due to unfinished business.

States

2023 state legislative sessions
State Start date End date (projected) Session length limit[3] Special sessions/Other sessions
State's session adjourneda Alabama March 7, 2023 June 6, 2023 30 legislative days in 105 calendar days Special session from March 8, 2023 to March 16, 2023. Special session started on July 17, 2023 until July 21, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Alaska January 17, 2023 May 17, 2023 90 calendar days Special session was on May 18, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Arizona January 9, 2023 July 31, 2023 Saturday of the last week in which the 100th calendar day falls Recess started on May 15, 2023 until June 11, 2023, and from June 14, 2023 to July 30, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Arkansas January 9, 2023 May 1, 2023 Odd-numbered years - 60 days
Even-numbered years - 30 days 		Reconvened on May 1, 2023 for formal adjourn sine die, and, if necessary, vetoes. Special session started on September 11, 2023 until September 14, 2023.
State's session adjourneda California*[4] December 5, 2022 September 14, 2023 Constitution: Even-numbered years - Nov. 30
Odd-numbered years - None
Chamber Rule: Even-numbered years - Aug. 31
Odd-numbered years - Sept. 12 		Concurrent special session that started on December 5, 2022 has ended.
State's session adjourneda Colorado January 9, 2023 May 8, 2023 120 calendar days Special session started on November 17, 2023 until November 20, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Connecticut January 4, 2023 June 7, 2023 Odd: Wednesday after the first Monday in June; Even: Wednesday after the first Monday in May Special session was on September 19, 2023. House special session started on September 26, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Delaware January 10, 2023 June 30, 2023 May not extend past June 30 Special session started on September 8, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Florida March 7, 2023 May 5, 2023 60 calendar days Special session was from February 6, 2023 to February 10, 2023. Special session was from November 6, 2023 to February 9, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Georgia January 9, 2023 March 29, 2023 40 legislative days Special session started on November 29, 2023 until December 7, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Hawaii January 18, 2023 May 4, 2023 60 legislative days
State's session adjourneda Idaho January 9, 2023 April 6, 2023 None Veto recess was from April 1, 2023 to April 5, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Illinois*[4] January 11, 2023 May 27, 2023 None Lame duck session started on January 4, 2023, to January 10, 2023. Veto session started on October 24, 2023 until November 9, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Indiana January 9, 2023 April 28, 2023 Odd-numbered years - 61 days (April 29)
Even-numbered years - 30 days (March 14)
State's session adjourneda Iowa January 9, 2023 May 4, 2023 Odd-numbered years - 110 days
Even-numbered years - 100 days 		Special Session was on July 11, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Kansas January 9, 2023 April 28, 2023 None (odd), 90 days (even) First adjournment ("drop dead day") on April 6, 2023. Veto session started on April 26, 2023 until April 28, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Kentucky January 3, 2023 March 30, 2023 Odd-numbered years - 30 legislative days or March 30
Even-numbered years - 60 legislative days or April 15 		Interim session started on June 6, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Louisiana April 10, 2023 June 8, 2023 Even-numbered years - 60 legislative days in 85 calendar days
Odd-numbered years - 45 legislative days in 60 calendar days 		Special session on property insurance scheduled was from January 30, 2023, to February 5, 2023. Veto session on July 18, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Maine December 7, 2022 March 30, 2023 Odd: 3rd Wed in June; Even: 3rd Wed in April Special session was from April 5, 2023 until July 6, 2023. Veto session was from July 25, 2023 until July 26, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Maryland January 11, 2023 April 10, 2023 90 calendar days
State's session adjourneda Massachusetts*[4] January 4, 2023 November 15, 2023 Odd: 3rd Wed in November; Even: July 31 Formal session ended on November 15, 2023. Informal session started on November 16, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Michigan*[4] January 11, 2023 November 14, 2023
State's session adjourneda Minnesota January 3, 2023 May 22, 2023 120 legislative days in 2 years, or the 1st Monday after the 3rd Saturday in May each year
State's session adjourneda Mississippi January 3, 2023 April 1, 2023 90 calendar days; except after a gubernatorial election then 125 days
State's session adjourneda Missouri January 4, 2023 May 12, 2023 May 30 Veto session started on September 13, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Montana January 2, 2023 May 2, 2023 90 legislative days in two years
State's session adjourneda Nebraska January 4, 2023 June 1, 2023 Odd-numbered years - 90 legislative days
Even-numbered years - 60 days
State's session adjourneda Nevada February 6, 2023 June 5, 2023 120 calendar days in two years Special session was on June 6, 2023. Special session was from June 7, 2023 to June 14, 2023.
State's session adjourneda New Hampshire January 4, 2023 June 29, 2023 45 legislative days or July 1 Veto session moved from mid September 2023, to January 3, 2024. Veto session on October 26, 2023.
State in regular sessiona New Jersey*[4] January 10, 2023 January 8, 2024 None
State's session adjourneda New Mexico January 17, 2023 March 18, 2023 Odd-numbered years - 60 days
Even-numbered years - 30 days
State's session adjourneda New York*[4] January 4, 2023 June 21, 2023 None Senate adjourned on June 10 and Assembly reconvened from June 20, 2023 to June 21, 2023.
State's session adjourneda North Carolina January 11, 2023 October 25, 2023 None Non-voting session days started on November 29, 2023, until November 30, 2023. And started on December 20, 2023, until December 21, 2023.
State's session adjourneda North Dakota January 3, 2023 April 29, 2023 80 legislative days in two years Special session started on October 23, 2023 until October 25, 2023.
State in regular sessiona Ohio*[4] January 2, 2023 December 31, 2023 None
State's session adjourneda Oklahoma February 6, 2023 May 26, 2023 Last Friday in May Special concurrent session started on May 17, 2023 until July 31, 2023 (extended on June 12, 2023 from June 30, 2023). Special session held from October 3 to October 4, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Oregon January 17, 2023 June 25, 2023 Odd-numbered years - 160 calendar days
Even-numbered years - 35 calendar days
State's session adjourneda Pennsylvania*[4] January 3, 2023 December 13, 2023 None Special session was on January 9, 2023. The Senate reconvened on August 30, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Rhode Island January 3, 2023 June 16, 2023 None
State's session adjourneda South Carolina January 10, 2023 May 11, 2023 First Thurs in June Special session was from May 16, 2023 to June 14, 2023.
State's session adjourneda South Dakota January 10, 2023 March 27, 2023 40 legislative days Veto recess was from March 10, 2023 to March 26, 2023
State's session adjourneda Tennessee January 10, 2023 April 21, 2023 90 legislative days Special session started on August 21, 2023 until August 29, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Texas January 10, 2023 May 29, 2023 140 calendar days in two years First special session started on May 29, 2023 and ended June 27, 2023. Second special session started on June 27, 2023, and ended on July 13, 2023. Special session on attorney general impeachment was held from September 5 to September 16, 2023. Special session on school vouchers started on October 9, 2023 until November 8, 2023. Special session started on November 7, 2023, until December 5, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Utah January 17, 2023 March 3, 2023 45 calendar days Special session was on May 17, 2023. Special session was on June 14, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Vermont January 4, 2023 May 12, 2023 None Veto session started on June 20, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Virginia January 11, 2023 February 25, 2023 Odd numbered years - 30 calendar days
Even-numbered years - 60 days 		Reconvened (veto) session started on April 12, 2023. Special session was on September 6, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Washington January 9, 2023 April 23, 2023 Odd numbered years - 105 calendar days
Even-numbered years - 60 days 		Special session started on May 16, 2023.
State's session adjourneda West Virginia January 11, 2023 March 11, 2023 60 calendar days Special session was from August 6, 2023 to August 8, 2023.
State in regular sessiona Wisconsin*[4] January 3, 2023 December 31, 2023 None Special session started on September 20, 2023.
State's session adjourneda Wyoming January 10, 2023 March 3, 2023 Odd-numbered years - 40 legislative days
Even-numbered years - approximately 20 days 		Special session on child care was on September 9, 2023.

Methodology

Ballotpedia considered four sources when compiling the data in the map and chart above:

  1. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
  2. FiscalNote
  3. MultiState
  4. Statescape


The four sites each contained a mix of projected end dates for the legislative sessions. Ballotpedia used a projected end date if three sites had the same date. If two websites had the same date but two had a different matching date, Ballotpedia used the date provided by the NCSL.

Glossary of state legislative session terms

Adjourn:

  • Termination of a legislative session. The date and time of the next meeting is set before adjournment.[5]

Informal session:

  • A type of session called by some states where no attendance is taken and only a few members attend the session. These sessions address day-to-day business and non-controversial bills. The bills do not require debate or a roll-call vote and must be passed unanimously. If one member objects, the measure is blocked.

Lame-duck session:

  • A legislative session where its members meet after their successors are elected.[5]

Organizational session:

  • The first day that legislators take office. The members are sworn in and new leadership is chosen.[5]

Recess:

  • A temporary pause for a period of time in a legislative session.[5]

Regular session:

  • A state's legislative members meet for a period of time regularly scheduled by a state's constitution, a statute, or by the legislature where they write and pass bills. Forty-six state legislatures hold regular sessions annually. Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas only meet in odd-numbered years.[5]

Skeleton session:

  • In a typical skeleton session, a clerk, a presiding officer, and another legislative member are the only people present. The presiding officer will convene the session day and adjourn it minutes later.

Sine die:

  • Final adjournment of a legislative session. It is Latin for "without a day."[5]

Special session:

  • A special meeting of the legislature called by the governor or by the legislature over a specific subject matter. This is also called an extraordinary session.[5]

Trifecta:

  • A trifecta occurs when one political party holds the governorship, a majority in the state senate, and a majority in the state house in a state's government.

Veto session:

  • Legislatures may hold a veto session where the members consider all bills vetoed by the governor.[5]

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed November 8, 2018
  2. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Legislative session length," accessed March 5, 2019
  3. ↑ NCSL, "Legislative Session Lengths," accessed December 14, 2014
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 This state has full-time legislators. The legislature may meet throughout the year after adjourning their regularly scheduled sessions.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 National Conference of State Legislatures, "GLOSSARY OF LEGISLATIVE TERMS," accessed May 19, 2017
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