Today, Governor Newsom
convened a special session of the state Legislature to
consider the financial resources needed to prepare the state for
the anticipated legal conflicts between California and the
incoming federal administration. Specifically, the special
session will focus on “…bolstering California legal resources to
protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and
immigrant families” according to the Governor’s press
release issued on Thursday morning. The special session will
commence on Monday, December 2, which is also the first day of
the regular 2025-2026 Legislative Session.
What is a special session?
A special legislative session (also called an “extraordinary
session” interchangeably) is called by the Governor via a
proclamation to address a specific issue. Bills introduced during
a special session include the letter “X” to distinguish them from
bills introduced during a regular legislative session (e.g.,
ABX2-1, referenced below). A special session may run concurrently
with a regular legislative session.
Wait, didn’t we just have a special session?
In response to the rejection of the Governor’s oil refinery bill
(SB
950, Skinner) in August, Governor Newsom convened a special
session on
the last day of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session with
the explicit purpose of forcing a dialogue about how to address
oil and gas policy. After much debate, the late-breaking special
session resulted in the passage and chaptering of
ABX2-1 (Hart), in mid-October. Among other things, the
measure authorizes the California Energy Commission to require
refiners to maintain resupply plans and to maintain minimum
levels of supply inventories. The Governor’s signing message is
available
here.
