There are many things people refer to when they talk of legislative sessions.
The first is the 60-day Regular Session, which begins on the day the Legislature assembles and ends on the day it adjourns for the year.
Daily floor sessions, which adjourn each day, are any time the House or Senate meet on the floor of their respective chambers. At such times, both bodies are “in session.”
While the 80th Legislature is nearing the close of its first biennial session, two additional sessions are expected: an extended budget session and at least one special session.
Traditionally, three days prior to their official adjournment the governor may issue a proclamation calling for an extended budget session. This extension is solely for the purpose of considering the 2012 fiscal year budget, which runs from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.
In addition, according to the West Virginia State Constitution, Article 7, Section 14, any bill vetoed “may be reconsidered even if the Legislature is at the time in extended session for the sole purpose of considering the budget bill…”
The State Constitution calls for the governor to issue the proclamation on the 57th day of the 60-Day Session, which in this year was March 9th. The extension usually adds three days at a time but can be reissued until a budget is finally passed. Historically, the added time generally has consisted of a further week of review.
A special, or extraordinary, session is called by the governor via proclamation at a time other than a regularly scheduled session. This most frequently occurs in order to complete unfinished tasks for the year or may be convened to address special topics, or to deal with a natural disaster.
West Virginians will be following at least one special session in 2011. Using data obtained through the 2010 United States Census, West Virginia must reapportion its population so that citizens receive fair and equitable representation within the United States Congress and within the West Virginia Legislature. A special session to address the state’s redistricting will occur before the close of this year.
The US Secretary of Commerce and the Census Bureau Director will provide the Legislature’s Redistricting Office with total population counts by April 1, 2011. The detailed geographically defined population counts will be directed toward the governor and legislative leaders. All lawmakers may work with the Redistricting Office, using the software program Maptitude, to design their own plans and submit them to the Redistricting Committees. The Senate and House committees, appointed by legislative leadership, then will work to devise legislation to provide equal representation to all West Virginians.
Acceptance of the reapportionment of new geographic district boundary information – which will directly affect Magisterial Districts, voting precincts and respective Congressional and State Legislative Districts – must be accomplished by a vote of the Legislature.
Summarizing: the 80th Legislature is meeting in its first biennial session, is meeting in session on a daily basis, is expecting to participate in an extended budget session, and is looking ahead to a special session covering reapportionment.
