The
Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the
U.S. state of Pennsylvania
. The legislature convenes in the State
Capitol
building in Harrisburg
. From 1682 to 1776, the legislature was
known as the
Pennsylvania Provincial
Assembly. Following the
Constitution of 1776,
written by American revolutionaries, the legislature has been known
as the General Assembly. The General Assembly became a
bicameral legislature in 1790.
Membership
The
General Assembly has 253 members, making it the second-largest
state legislature in the nation (behind New Hampshire
) and the largest full-time legislature. As
of 2005, the members' base pay was the 2nd highest in the nation,
making it the costliest state legislature per capita in the U.S. It
consists of a
Senate with
50 members and a
House of
Representatives with 203 members. Republicans hold a 30-20
majority in the Senate. The Democrats currently hold a 104-99
majority in the House.
The Pennsylvania general elections are held on the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in November in every even-numbered year. A
vacancy for a seat must be filled by special election. The
presiding officer of the respective house sets the date for such
elections.
Senators must be at least 25 years old and Representatives at least
21 years old. They must also be citizens and inhabitants of the
state for a minimum of four years, living in their respective
districts for at least one year. Individuals who have been
convicted of various felonies, including embezzlement, bribery, and
perjury, are ineligible for election. The Pennsylvania Constitution
also adds the category of "other infamous crimes" which can be
broadly interpreted by state courts. No one who has been previously
expelled from the General Assembly may be elected in the
future.
Legislative districts are drawn every 10 years following the
U.S. Census.
Districts are drawn by a five-member commission, of which four
members are the majority and minority leaders of both houses (or
their delegates). The fifth member (and chairperson of the
committee) is appointed by the other four and may not be an elected
or appointed official. If the leadership cannot decide upon a fifth
member, the State Supreme Court may appoint the chairperson.
While in office, legislators cannot hold
civil office. Even if a member
resigns, the Constitution states that the individual
may not be appointed to civil office for the duration of the
original term for which they were originally elected.
Legislative Sessions
The Capitol Complex
The General Assembly meets at noon on the first Tuesday of January
and then regularly throughout the year. Both houses adjourn on
November 30 in even numbered years when the terms of all members of
the House and half the members of the Senate expire. Neither body
can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the
other.
The
Governor of
Pennsylvania may call a special session in order to press for
legislation on important issues. Most recently, a special session
was called for the purpose of property tax reform.
The
Assembly meets in the Pennsylvania State Capitol which was completed in 1906. Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, the
Assembly must meet in the City of Harrisburg
and can only move if given the consent of both
chambers.
General assembly leadership
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Speaker of
the House of Representatives: Keith McCall (D)
[145261]
Pennsylvania State Senate
President Pro Tempore: Joseph B. Scarnati III (R)
See also
Sources
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