ST. PAUL — Gov. Tim Walz announced Friday he is calling for the Minnesota Legislature to return to the state Capitol for its third special session of the summer.

Walz’s proclamation states the session will start Wednesday. He intends to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by 30 days.

“As long as the COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to Minnesotans, it is my duty to work to provide our state with the tools we need to fight this.” Walz said in the announcement. “The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and rapidly evolving, and we can’t let our guard down.”

“The emergency is not over,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “As the upcoming fall brings new unknowns in the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to acting quickly to keep Minnesotans healthy, safe, and informed during this public health crisis.”

The Minnesota Legislature adjourned its regular session May 17, but because it failed to pass a bonding bill a special session was expected. By the time the governor called the special session, which began June 12, the goals for the special session had changed to include police reform legislation in the wake of the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

That special session lasted about a week, with the Republican-controlled Senate adjourning before the Legislature passed any police reform measures because the House and Senate couldn’t agree. The Legislature also failed to pass a bonding bill. Gov. Walz’s peacetime emergency powers were not revoked. In July, Walz called a second special session in hopes of passing a bonding bill and police reform, during which some police reform legislation was passed and then signed into law. Gov. Walz’s peacetime emergency powers were not revoked.