HB 1041

This bill requires the general assembly to convene for a September session on the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day in each odd-numbered year and adjourn no later than September 30 of the same year. At the conclusion of the first annual session of each general assembly, the adjournment resolution must provide that the general assembly will reconvene at noon CDT on the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day in September of each odd-numbered year. Th is applies regardless of any senate or house rules to the contrary. However, other laws regarding the general assembly and senate or house rules that are not inconsistent with this provision still apply to the September sessions. This bill requires e ach house's rules committee to meet before the Thursday after Labor Day in September of each odd-numbered year to consider additional rule amendments and suspensions necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the September session. This bill requires that the September se ssion be funded through the existing budget for the general assembly's legislative session. ITEMS CONSIDERED DURING A SEPTEMBER SESSION This bill authorizes the general assembly to consider all of the following during the September session:  All bills and resolutions filed prior to adjournment of the first annual session of the general assembly .  99 bills and resolutions filed for the September session of the general assembly. However, this does not include in that number (i) general bills with local application and private acts; (ii) resolutions that are memorializing or congratulatory in nature and are not referred to a standing committee; (iii) resolutions that are procedural in nature and are not referred to a standing committee; and (iv) supplemental appropriations bills, bond bills, index bills, and bills that contain the following language in their caption: Relative to statutory revisions required for implementation of the supplemental appropriations act .  Other matters deemed appropriate and necessary by the general assembly, including bills and resolutions excluded from the limitation above and repassage of bills and resolutions over an executive veto. This bill requires the 99 bills and resolutions for the September session of the general assembly be pre-filed for introduction by noon CDT on the third Thursday in August prior to the September session. Each member of the house of representatives may fi le one bill or resolution and each member of the senate may file up to three bills or resolutions. Bills and resolutions introduced for the September session may be acted upon during the September session or during the second annual session of the genera l assembly beginning in January of the following year. APPOINTMENTS AND CONFIRMATIONS For purposes of appointments and confirmations of any person to a board, commission, or other entity, the September session of the general assembly will not be considered an annual legislative session or a regular session. FUNDRAISING DURING GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION Current law provides that the general assembly session runs from its convening in organizational session through the earlier of the last day of regular session or June 1 in odd years, from the convening of the general assembly in regular session the earli er of May 15 or the conclusion of the annual session in even years, and from the convening of the assembly in any extraordinary session through its conclusion. During this period, it is prohibited for a member of the general assembly or a member's campai g n committee or the governor or the governor's campaign committee to conduct a fundraiser or solicit or accept contributions for the benefit of the caucus, any caucus member, or member or candidate of the general assembly or governor. This bill prohibits the fundraising described in the provision above during the general assembly session period. For purposes of this bill, "general assembly session period"" includes t he convening of the general assembly in any extraordinary or September session through the conclusion of such extraordinary or September session. Under present law, from the convening of the general assembly in organizational session through the earlier of the last day of regular session or June 1 in odd years, from the convening of the general assembly in regular session the earlier of May 15 or t he conclusion of the annual session in even years, and from the convening of the general assembly in any extraordinary session through its conclusion, a political campaign committee controlled by a political party on the national, state, or local level, o r controlled by a caucus of such political party established by members of either house of the general assembly, or established or controlled by any member of the general assembly, that makes contributions to a candidate for the general assembly or governo r for election or to defray the expenses of such person's office must not conduct a fundraiser, solicit or accept contributions for the benefit of the caucus, any caucus member or candidate for the general assembly or governor. This bill prohibits the fu nd raising described in these provisions during the generally assembly session period."