Work Sessions

State Legislature committees occasionally work in Work Sessions to prepare for a possible Special Session. They will work on bills from the previous session, even though they are adjourned. This is because SP 788 states that, "all matters not finally disposed of upon the adjournment sine die of the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature be carried over, in the same posture, to any special session of the 129th Legislature."

A Work Session allows Committee members to discuss bills and vote on the Committee's recommendation to the Legislature. Work sessions are open to the public, however no testimony is taken from the public.

Due to Work Sessions, bill statuses may include these committee actions. 

Jurisdictions with Work Sessions include Maine and Oregon.

(Note: Oregon has Legislative Committee Days, which run for about 3-4 days a few times in a year. In these events every committee meets at least once where they listen to the public and work on drafts and drafting legislation. They do not do pre-files in these meetings but do work on drafts and take public input.)