SF 3072

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article IV, section 12;
adding a provision to allow the legislature or presiding officers to call a special
session.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
new text end

new text begin An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people. If the
amendment is adopted, article IV, section 12, will read:
new text end

Sec. 12.

The legislature shall meet at the seat of government in regular session in each
biennium at the times prescribed by law for not exceeding a total of 120 legislative days.
The legislature shall not meet in regular session, nor in any adjournment thereof, after the
first Monday following the third Saturday in May of any year. After meeting at a time
prescribed by law, the legislature may adjourn to another time. "Legislative day" shall
be defined by law. new text begin Upon the written agreement of two-thirds of the members elected to
the house of representatives and two-thirds of the members elected to the senate, the
legislature shall convene in special session. Any bill may be considered whose subject is
stated in the agreement or order that convened the special session. A special session called
by the legislature may not exceed seven legislative days. A bill may be passed on the day
prescribed for adjournment of the special session. new text end A special session of the legislature may
new text begin also new text end be called by the governor on extraordinary occasions.

Neither house during a session of the legislature shall adjourn for more than three
days (Sundays excepted) nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be
assembled without the consent of the other house.

Sec. 2. new text begin SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.
new text end

new text begin The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2008 general
election. The question submitted must be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require the legislature to meet in
special session for up to seven days upon the agreement of two-thirds of the members
of each house of the legislature?
new text end

new text begin Yes ....... new text end

new text begin No ......." new text end