Nebraska legislators will return to the state Capitol in July to wrap up a legislative session postponed by the outbreak of coronavirus.

 Speaker Jim Scheer, a Norfolk Republican, announced Monday afternoon that the session would resume July 20. The planned end of the session would be Aug. 13. Lawmakers would work five-day weeks with a recess Aug. 7 through Aug. 10 prior to the last three days of the 60-day session.

Sessions are expected to run into the evening to accommodate a number of priority bills over the remaining 17 work days, the Lincoln Journal-Star reported.

Scheer suspended the Unicameral on March 16, back when the state had only restricted gatherings in excess of 50 people. The Legislature briefly reconvened to approve $83.6 million in emergency funding for personal protective equipment, overtime costs and other expenses related to fighting the virus, including $25 million in unobligated funds.

Scheer said in a news release that the decision to resume the session is based on the belief that Nebraska will have reached a peak of COVID-19 cases. Should that not happen, or a resurgent in cases be underway, Scheer said he could alter the session calendar.

Before the pandemic, state senators were focused on priorities including property tax cuts and business incentives. They’ll return to an environment where the state budget is expected to be cut and a deal on taxes remains dubious.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Iowa plan to return over six weeks earlier than their colleagues in Nebraska. The General Assembly is scheduled to return June 3. Iowa legislators last gathered on March 16 to adopt emergency appropriations and a joint resolution to adjourn at the discretion of the Legislative Council.