Why Do We Say August 31 Is the Last Day of Session?

Why Do We Say August 31 Is the Last Day of Session? By Chris Micheli

In this second (even-numbered) and final year of the biennial session of the California Legislature, everyone is focused on Monday, August 31, as the last day before final adjournment. Where does the August 31 deadline in the second year of session come from?

Yes, it is in the Joint Rules (JR 51(b)(3) says the Joint Recess begins on September 1). But the actual basis for this date is from the California Constitution. However, if you check the Constitution, especially Article IV on the Legislature, you will not find the date, August 31.

Instead, you will find that the Legislature is prohibited from considering any bill on or after September 1 (which begins Tuesday at 12:01am), with five specified exceptions. However, those five categories of bills amount to only a handful of bills. As a result, midnight on August 31 is the practical deadline for the Legislature to conclude its work for the 2026 Session.

What are the five types of bills that are exceptions to the rule (and can therefore be considered after midnight): urgency clause bills, tax levies (tax reduction or tax increase bills), budget-related bills, bills calling an election, or consideration of vetoed bills.

And, do not forget that the four legislative leaders will give their respective wrap-up speeches on the Senate and Assembly Floors on meeting their previously-announced goals and objectives for the Session, pursuant to Article IV, Section 22 of the California Constitution, and express a number of thank you acknowledgements, especially for staff, which is why the last night of Session usually concludes by 12:30am or so on September 1.

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