Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata told senators in launching a special session on budget and economic issues Thursday that their deadline for taking action is Nov. 23.
"Effectively we'll get two weeks," he said.
Though this year's legislative session does not officially end until Nov. 30, Perata said the Nov. 23 deadline is necessary to provide time for Capitol computers to be adjusted for next year's session.
New Assembly and Senate members, elected this month, will be sworn in Dec. 1. Computers need to be altered to accommodate dozens of new lawmakers, providing them and their staff access authorization and security protocols, among other things.
To take action in special session any later than Nov. 23 would hamper next year's session, Perata said.
Perata's deadline also ensures that lawmakers will not be returning to the Capitol during Thanksgiving Week.
"We just do a blitzkrieg and see what we can accomplish," Perata said of the two-week time frame.
Perata said legislators need not stick around the Capitol while the governor and legislative leaders try to strike a deal on budget and economic issues. Lawmakers will be called when a vote is scheduled, he said.
"Having you around is really not necessary," Perata said.
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