<P> Bills are numbered within each session . For example, in the federal House of Commons each session's government bills are numbered from C - 2 to C - 200, and the numbering returns again to C - 2 following a prorogation (Bill C - 1 is a pro-forma bill). </P> <P> In the United States, some state legislatures meet only part of the year . Depending upon limitations of the state's constitution, if business arises that must be addressed before the next regular session, the governor may call a special session . </P> <P> The US Congress is renewed every two years as required by the US Constitution, with all members of the House of Representatives up for reelection and 1 / 3 of the members of the US Senate up for reelection . (Senators serve a six - year term; House members serve a two - year term). Each Congress sits in two sessions lasting approximately one year . Thus, the 1st session of the 114th Congress commenced on January 3, 2015 and the 2nd session commenced on January 3, 2016, with the same members and no intervening election . All legislative business, however, is cleared at the end of each session . It is common for bills to be reintroduced in the 2nd session that were not passed in the 1st session, and the restrictions on reconsideration apply a single session . </P> <P> When the leaders of the majority party in each house have determined that no more business will be conducted by that house during that term of Congress, a motion is introduced to adjourn sine die, effectively dissolving that house . Typically, this is done at some point after the general congressional election in November of even - numbered years . If the party in power is retained, it may happen as early as mid-November and members return to their districts for the holiday season . However, when the party in power is ousted or if important business, such as approval of appropriation bills, has not been completed, Congress will often meet in a lame - duck session, adjourning as late as December 31, before the newly elected Congress takes office on January 3 . </P>

Who decides what the legislature addresses during a special session