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FACT BRIEF

Are Nevada lawmakers limited in what they can do in special sessions?

By Hanna Fahsholtz
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YES

According to the Nevada Constitution, the governor may call the Legislature into a special session for a specific purpose, in which case the Legislature may only introduce, consider or pass bills on the agenda set by the governor.

Once in special sessions, lawmakers can amend and make changes to bills outlined in the special session proclamation, but cannot introduce new bills or veer from the directions included in the proclamation.

The Legislature itself may convene a special session for a specific purpose if two-thirds of the members of each house sign a petition for the special session. In this case, the Legislature may only consider bills specified in the petition. Assembly Democrats currently hold a supermajority 28 of 42 seats, while Democrats hold 13 of 21 seats in the Senate — one short of the supermajority needed to petition and set the agenda for a special session.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Nevada Legislature Special Sessions of the Nevada Legislature
Nevada Legislature Nevada Constitution Article 4, Section 2A: Special Sessions of the Legislature
Nevada Legislature Nevada Constitution Article 5, Section 9: Special Sessions of the Legislature
Nevada Legislature Current Assembly Legislators
Nevada Legislature Current Senate Legislators
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The Nevada Independent
The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.
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