Legal Definitions - extraordinary session

An extraordinary session refers to a meeting of a legislative body, governing council, or other organized group that takes place outside of its regularly scheduled meetings. These sessions are typically convened to address urgent, unforeseen, or highly specific matters that cannot wait until the next ordinary meeting.

Here are some examples illustrating an extraordinary session:

• Example 1: State Legislature Responding to a Crisis
  After a devastating hurricane causes widespread damage across a state, the governor calls for an extraordinary session of the state legislature. The purpose of this session is solely to pass emergency funding bills, authorize disaster relief measures, and amend building codes to prevent future damage, rather than waiting for the next scheduled legislative session months away.

  This illustrates an extraordinary session because the legislature is meeting outside its normal calendar to address an urgent and specific crisis that requires immediate action.

• Example 2: City Council Addressing a Sudden Budget Shortfall
  A city's finance department discovers an unexpected and significant budget shortfall due to a sudden decline in local tax revenue. The mayor and city council president decide to convene an extraordinary session of the city council. During this special meeting, they debate and vote on emergency budget cuts and potential revenue-generating measures to prevent a financial crisis, rather than waiting for their bi-weekly meeting.

  This is an extraordinary session because the city council is meeting outside its regular schedule to tackle an unforeseen and critical financial issue that demands immediate attention.

• Example 3: Corporate Board Responding to a Hostile Takeover Bid
  A publicly traded company receives an unsolicited and hostile takeover bid from a competitor, which requires a swift and strategic response. The company's CEO and board chairman immediately call for an extraordinary session of the board of directors. The board meets over a weekend to discuss legal options, shareholder communications, and defensive strategies, rather than waiting for their quarterly board meeting.

  This demonstrates an extraordinary session as the board of directors is meeting outside its regular, pre-planned schedule to address an urgent and significant corporate event that requires immediate strategic decisions.