After lawmakers officially shut down the 2008 General Assembly at 1 a.m. Wednesday, they left behind questions about the legality of some of the bills that were finalized after the constitutional deadline of midnight.Television cameras and reporters witnessed at least five bills — two in the Senate, three in the House — receiving the necessary signatures from House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, and Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, long after the midnight deadline passed.

The state’s constitution says the General Assembly session cannot “extend beyond April 15.”

The legislative record, however, will show that no bills were finalized, or enrolled, after midnight, said Robert Sherman, director of the Legislative Research Commission.

“To the best of my knowledge, neither of the Senate and House journals show that any business occurred after midnight,” he said.

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