State Legislative Session Calendar Updates: October 2026

Insights50 States

2026-10-20

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With midterms around the corner and the end of the year quickly approaching, we’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about which states are still in session. Meanwhile, quite a few states have already started prefiling for 2027.

For government affairs teams advocating across all 50 states, there is A LOT of information to juggle and key dates to keep track of. So, we put together a quick reference guide for the states with upcoming session and prefiling dates – here’s your latest October update, all in one place:

Key Takeaways:

session-prefiling-map.png

In session…

  • 6 States and D.C. are still currently in 2026 session – In the order of when they will likely adjourn sine die, they are: PA, NC, MA, MI, NJ, OH, DC.
  • 3 States are technically in 2026 session, but not currently meeting – CA, WI, NY.
  • 1 State will be back in 2026 session soon – IL (veto sessions).

Prefiling…

  • 9 States are currently prefiling / bill requests open for 2027 session – UT, LA, VA, IA, NH (House – members running for re-election), MD, NV, MT, WY.
  • 8 States have prefiling opening in the next 30 days (through Nov. 18) – KS, TN, NH (House – all members), MT, TX, NY, AR, FL.

2026

States currently in 2026 session (6 + D.C.)

  • Pennsylvania: Two-year session ends November 30, 2026.
  • North Carolina: In session but recessed. Both chambers will next convene on October 26 (read more about NC’s adjournment resolution). Action on bills is expected during the November 16-19 session. Expected sine die is December 18, 2026.
  • Massachusetts: In informal session through December 31, 2026. The final day of session is January 5, 2027.
  • Michigan: Full-time legislature. No sine die date has been posted; the term ends December 31, 2026.
  • New Jersey: Full-time legislature in its 2026 annual session. No adjournment date is posted.
  • Ohio: Full-time legislature, no specified adjournment date.
  • District of Columbia: Council Period 26 ends January 2, 2027, and bills without final reading by December 15 will lapse.

States technically in session, but not meeting (3)

  • California: In final recess; adjourns sine die at midnight on November 30, 2026.
  • Wisconsin: Concluded general business in the spring but is technically still in session for interim/committee work until January 4, 2027.
  • New York: In recess since June 5, 2026; session ends January 6, 2027.

States returning for 2026 session (1)

  • Illinois: Veto sessions scheduled for November 17–19, and December 1–3.

2027

States currently prefiling or bill requests open now for 2027 session (9)

  • Utah: Open since May 6, 2026.

  • Louisiana: Chamber rules allow prefiling anytime between regular sessions but customarily does not begin until several weeks before session, which starts April 12, 2027.

  • Virginia: Open since July 20, 2026. Closes on January 13, 2027.

  • Iowa: Legislators can prefile before the convening of the session, but typically do not do so until December before odd-year sessions.

  • New Hampshire (House only): House members running for re-election have been able to file bill requests (called LSRs) since September 1, 2026. All House members can file starting November 4. Filing closes November 18, and sponsors must sign off on final drafts by January 5, 2027.

    • The Senate's dates have not been published.

  • Maryland: Prefile requests are being accepted; there is no formal start date. Request deadline is November 20, and the deadline to file prefiled bills is December 10.

  • Nevada: Incumbent legislators can submit bill draft requests through December 10. Newly elected members can submit after the November 3 election, also through December 10.

    • Bill requests from non-legislators (agencies, local governments) must be prefiled by November 18.

  • Montana: Senators not up for election this year can request bill drafts now, as can unopposed candidates. Requests open to all legislators after the November 3 election, with no limit through December 5.

  • Wyoming: Incumbents, legislators-elect, and committees can prefile once a draft is complete and numbered. There is no set start date.

States with prefiling opening in the next 30 days (through Nov. 18) (8)

  • Kansas: November 3. Senators not up for election this year can prefile from Election Day. House members-elect can prefile once they receive their certificate of election.

  • Tennessee: Expected November 4, the day after the election. In past years, the first bills were filed the day after the election.

  • New Hampshire (House): November 4, when all House members can begin filing bill requests (LSRs).

  • Montana: After the November 3 election, when bill draft requests open to all legislators.

  • Texas: November 9.

  • New York (Assembly): November 15, which falls on a Sunday, so likely November 16 in practice. The Senate's date is not confirmed.

  • Arkansas: November 16.

  • Florida (general bills): Expected about November 18, the day after the November 17 Organization Session, matching the last cycle’s pattern.

    • Florida's separate early-August window for claim bills closed August 7.

Stay Ahead with Roboro

If you want to stay ahead of legislative developments, bill movement, and calendar updates into the 2027 session, Roboro is built for exactly that.

Roboro provides proactive legislative intelligence for advocacy professionals. All information is current as of October 20, 2026.

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