Monica Riley
Policy Strategist
she/her/hers
What is the difference between a regular session and a special session?
A regular session is the annual gathering of legislators, the starting date of which is set by the Alabama constitution. A special session is a period when the legislature convenes outside of the normal legislative session in order to complete unfinished tasks for the year.
Who can call a special session?
Alabama is one of 14 states where only the Governor can call a special session.
How long does a special session last?
These sessions are limited to 12 legislative days within a 30-calendar day span.
What topics does a special session cover?
In a regular session, bills may be enacted on any subject. During a special session, the governor must list the subjects on which legislation will be debated upon. Governor Ivey has limited this upcoming special session bills to prison infrastructure and sentencing reform.
When does the 2021 special session begin?
The session will begin on Monday, September 27. The House will convene at 4pm and the Senate's convening time has not been announced yet.
Can I view the bills for the special session?
Yes, you can view the bills on the Alabama Legislature's website.
Does the legislature hold public hearings during a special session?
Yes, public hearings can be requested by emailing the House/Senate clerk 24 hours before the committee meeting.
How do I contact the clerks and/or committee members?
You can find a list of the committee members and each committee clerk linked below.
Where can I sign up for email updates?
Go to https://action.aclu.org/webform/al-legislative-update-signup, and sign up for the ACLU of Alabama's legislative updates.
