Pollert said he had yet to read the opinion but has concerns after hearing the gist of it. He declined to elaborate on his concerns but said he plans to confer with Wardner. It's too early to discuss a special session, he added.

Legislative Council Director John Bjornson, the Legislature's top lawyer, said he had only so far skimmed the opinion, but he noted it's up to legislative leaders how to respond to it.

"We'll work with them in trying to decipher it and then they'll go from there," Bjornson said. "It's in their hands."

The Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, a group of lawmakers which confers on Gallion's audits, is set to meet July 17, its first meeting since October 2018.

Sen. Jerry Klein, R-Fessenden, who chairs the audit committee, said he foresees lawmakers working collaboratively with Gallion but understands the new restrictions to still be in effect without a court challenge or changes to law. Lawmakers can adjust the law in the 2021 session, he added.

"I don't see the committee or the Legislature not letting him do what he thinks is correct," Klein said. "We can certainly voice our opinions as to ideas that he may have, or even maybe we can narrow down his thinking or even expand on it."