Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Assembly advances measure for Legislature to call special session

Sun Coverage

CARSON CITY – On a party-line vote, the Assembly on Friday approved a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the powers of the Legislature to call itself into special session.

Currently, only the governor can convene a special session.

Voters in 2006 rejected a similar proposal by 26,000 votes.

But Democrats pushed the measure through with a 25-16 vote Friday to permit a special session to be convened if two-thirds of the members of each house approved. The session would be limited to such things as considering bills vetoed by the governor during the regular session; impeachment of a governor, justices of the Supreme Court and other state officials; and to expel legislators found guilty of misconduct.

Assemblyman James Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, said two-thirds of the legislatures in the country have the power to call themselves back into special session. The resolution would limit the session to 20 days. That could be exceeded in case of impeachment of state officials or expulsion of a legislator.

Assembly Minority Leader Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, said voters have already rejected the proposal.

The resolution was approved by the 2009 Legislature. If approved by the Senate this session, it will go on the ballot in 2012.

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