2025 Legislative Session Dates
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Key Takeaways:

  • A common question we get from clients is, “What does extended recess mean, and how is it different from adjournment?” Like most aspects of state legislatures, every state is unique, but here, we help you understand some common terms and why they matter.
  • "Recess" means the legislature pauses for more than a few days with a scheduled return date, while "extended recess" is a long break without a fixed return date, allowing legislative leadership flexibility to reconvene without requiring gubernatorial action.
  • "Adjourned" means the legislature has finished work either for the day or year with a scheduled return, while "sine die" (Latin for "without day") means the session is completely finished with no possibility of further legislative activity.
  • Extended recess provides strategic advantages over adjournment because legislative leadership retains control to reconvene independently, whereas after sine die adjournment, typically only the governor can call the legislature back into special session.
  • These distinctions matter for tracking legislation because extended recess keeps bills alive and allows for future action on unfinished business, while sine die adjournment generally kills pending legislation until the next regular session begins.


You're tracking an important bill in a priority state when you see a session update: "Legislature has entered extended recess." But what does that actually mean? Are lawmakers done for the year, or could they return next week?

A common question we get from clients is, “What does extended recess mean, and how is it different from adjournment?” Like most aspects of state legislatures, every state is unique, but here, we help you understand some common terms and why they matter. 

Common Legislative Session Terms

What Does "Recess" Mean in State Legislatures?

"Recess" is when the legislature pauses session for more than a few days. The California Legislature, for example, regularly goes on recess during the summer months, typically from mid-July through mid-August for their annual summer break. The dates for this recess were established on the legislative calendar at the beginning of session. 

What Does "Extended Recess" Mean?

"Extended Recess" is a long break for the legislature without a fixed return date. Extended recesses are often used when legislatures need flexibility to address unfinished business or await external factors before reconvening. This tool allows legislative leadership to maintain control over when to return rather than requiring the governor to call a special session.

What Does "Adjourned" Mean?

"Adjourned" means a legislature has finished its work, either for the day or for the year. For example, when state legislatures finish their daily business, they adjourn until the next scheduled meeting day. The California Assembly, for instance, adjourned until Thursday, June 12th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. for their scheduled return date.

What Does "Sine Die" Mean?

"Sine Die" means "without day" in Latin, so a legislature that adjourns sine die is finished for the year, and there can be no more legislative activity in that session (because there are no more days). As an example, the Nevada Legislature, which only meets every other year, adjourned sine die on June 3, 2025, meaning there are no more days left in session and the session is 100 percent done.

Where Do Special Sessions Fit In? 

Why would a state legislature go into extended recess instead of just adjourning and returning in special session if necessary? The reasons vary and are particular to each state's constitutional and political dynamics. The key difference often comes down to control and flexibility. When a legislature goes into extended recess, legislative leadership typically retains the ability to reconvene without requiring action from the governor. However, if a legislature adjourns sine die, in many states only the governor can bring the legislature back into session before the start of the regular session the following year.

How Are They Different Than Extended Recess?

Extended recess provides legislatures with strategic advantages when dealing with ongoing issues that may require future action, uncertain timelines, or complex negotiations that may need additional time to resolve. It allows lawmakers to maintain session continuity while providing the flexibility to address emerging issues without the formal process of calling a special session.

Tracking State Legislative Session Dates and Deadlines

For a comprehensive tool tracking  all 50 state legislative sessions, deadlines, and current status, check out our 2025 Legislative Session Dates resource. This essential reference organizes important legislative deadlines for all states in one easy-to-use chart.