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Executive committee asks Legal Services to draft resolution setting Jan. 11, 2027 as session start
Summary
The Executive Committee voted to ask Legislative Legal Services to draft a resolution that would make Monday, Jan. 11, 2027 the convenient start date for the General Assembly and adjust related Joint Rule 23 deadlines, with staff preparing a substitute schedule and members invited to co-sponsor.
The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council voted to request that Legislative Legal Services draft a resolution establishing Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, as a convenient start date for the 2027 legislative session.
Committee members debated several calendar options presented by Legislative Council staff. A staff director explained alternative start dates — Wednesday, Jan. 6; Thursday, Jan. 7; and Monday, Jan. 11 — and showed how each choice would shift deadlines tied to Joint Rule 23 and the timing for introduction of the long bill. The director recommended preparing a substitute schedule that preserves weekday or Friday filing deadlines where possible.
Madam Speaker said she was concerned that a Jan. 6 start would require prefile bills to be finalized on Dec. 31 and noted travel burdens for rural members if the session began on a single Friday. Several members said they preferred either Jan. 7 or Jan. 11 so that prefile deadlines would not fall on a holiday or weekend.
President moved the committee request and the motion was seconded by the majority leader. The committee took a roll call and approved the request. The committee recorded the motion as passing by a 4-to-2 vote. The resolution will be drafted by Legislative Legal Services and staff said members will have the opportunity to sponsor or co-sponsor once the draft is available.
Why it matters: The chosen start date determines how statutory deadlines under Joint Rule 23 align with calendar dates, which affects when bills must be introduced and the timetable for the long bill and other key legislative actions. The committee recommended producing a one-year substitute schedule so members can clearly see adjusted deadlines if the alternate start date is adopted for 2027.
What happens next: Legislative Legal Services will draft the resolution reflecting the committee’s direction and staff will circulate the draft for sponsorship; leadership indicated willingness to co-prime the resolution in their respective chambers.
