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q.4-3 SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: A PRIMER FOR CITY OFFICIALS Many people following the budget debate may have wondered why the VLF restoration bill ended up with an "X" in its title. It's because the bill was introduced as part of an "extraordinary session ". The California Constitution gives the Governor the authority to call the Legislature into special session to address specific topics. Formally called, an "extraordinary session ", but more commonly referred to as a "special session ", special sessions historically have addressed such topics as the energy crisis, earthquake relief and response, and most recently, the budget crisis. bills received completely different numbers (i.e., AB 456X became AB 24XX). Thus, keeping track of which bill was which and about what became a challenge. ATTENTION NLC CONVENTIONEERS Below is a list of exciting events occurring during the National League of Cities' Congres- sional Conference in Washington D.C. Monday, March 10 Bills introduced in a special session do not need to meet the same deadlines as those intro- duced in the regular session. For example, a special session bill does not need to be in print for 30 days prior being heard in a committee. Similarly, little public notice is required before a bill is heard in committee, in contrast to the four day file notice required of regular session bills. While the Gover- nor is the individual authorized to call a special session, both houses of the Legislature must vote to adjourn a special session. Some special ses- sions last a very short time such as one week or a month, while others can last over a year. Special session urgency bills (which require a two - thirds vote for passage) signed by the Governor go into effect immediately upon signature; non - urgency special session bills (which require a majority vote for passage) go into effect on the ninety -first day after the special session has been adjourned. Special session bills are commonly referred to as "AB 123X" for the first extraordinary session (that it, Assembly bill one -two -three X "). In 2001, the Governor actually called two special sessions that ran sequentially to address the energy crisis. In this situation, bills introduced in the second extraordinary session were referred to as "AB123XX, or Assembly bill one -two -three double X (or, as some would say, dos equis — let's drink to that!). When the first extraordinary session was adjourned, bills introduced in that session no longer were valid. Some bills were reintroduced in the second extraordinary session and some were not. To make the situation even more interesting, some reintroduced bills kept the same numerical number in the second session as the first (i.e., SB 123X became AB 123XX), while other reintroduced A Reception and Legislative Briefing by the League of California Cities, 5:00 — 6:30 p.m. at the U.S. Treasury Department's Cash Room. Due to heightened security, if you think you will be able to attend, please get your full name, social security number and date of birth to the League's Jennifer Lewis at: (916) 658 -8254 lewisj@cacities.org. Tuesday, March 11th A meeting with Senator Boxer on key issues of concern to California. Time and location to be announced. A Reception for California City Officials and Congressional Members hosted by the Califor- nia State Society, 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. at the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2237. Wednesday, March 12 A Roundtable Discussion with the California Congressional Delegation to discuss TEA -21 Reauthorization, 10:00 — 11:30 a.m. at the Cannon House Office Building, Room 421. Secretary Mineta has been invited to partici- pate in the discussion, and members on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be joining us. We urge all city officials attending the NLC Congressional Conference to attend this critical program. Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 3