The power to call a special session by the Governor is set forth in the California Constitution, in Article IV, Section 3(b). This provision states: “(b) On extraordinary occasions the Governor by proclamation may cause the Legislature to assemble in special session.
"The General Assembly shall meet in regular annual sessions and in such special sessions as occasion may require. Special sessions shall be convoked by the Secretary-General at the request of the Security Council or of a majority of the Members of the United Nations."
The President has the power, under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, to call a special session of the Congress during the current adjournment, in which the Congress now stands adjourned until January 2, 1948, unless in the meantime the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Speaker, and the majority leaders ...
The second clause of Article II, Section 3 authorizes the President to convene or adjourn the Houses of Congress in certain circumstances. The President has frequently summoned both Houses into extra or special sessions for legislative purposes, and the Senate alone for the consideration of nominations and treaties.
House speaker and Senate president pro tempore may call a special session upon receiving a joint written request of at least 60 percent of the members of each chamber.
There are other ways in which the Legislature may be convened as outlined in Article III, Section 3, of the Florida Constitution, including special sessions, which may be called either by the Governor; or by a joint proclamation issued by the Senate President and House Speaker.
A special legislative session called by the Governor by proclamation to address only those issues specified in the proclamation; also referred to as a special session.
Common reasons for a governor to call a special session include responding to economic downturns or other fiscal problems; federal legislation; disasters; and war. Some special sessions addressed more than one of these issues.