Often referred to as general assembly, legislative assembly, or the legislature Vary in size: New Hampshire, one of the smallest states, has the largest with over 400 members; Nebraska has the smallest with 49 members All are bicameral except for Nebraska

Typically, Senators serve 4 year terms.; Representatives, 2 year terms- equal salaries The House usually has 2 to 4 times as many members are the Senate Qualifications for each position is listed in the state constitution -generally, must be an American citizen and live in the represented district -in most states, reps must be at least 18 years old and Senators min age range from 18 to 30

How do they function Much like Congress Each house has a leader: House of Reps- Speaker of the House; Senate- President of the Senate (which in ½ states is the Lieutenant governor The majority political party selects the Speaker and the President of the Senate (If not the LT Governor)

Bills Can come from just about anybody, including the governor, interest groups, individuals, etc. Bill will go to the appropriate committee to be studied The committee can hold hearings on the bill and revise if necessary In most cases, bill will die in committee, never making it to the full vote Committee may send the bill to the full house with a recommendation to pass or reject the bill If both houses pass the same bill with differing versions, it will go to the conference committee to work out the agreeable language Both houses must approve a bill and it must be signed by the governor to become law

Apportionment Congressional representatives and state legislators are elected from districts Congressional district boundaries are usually drawn by the state legislature The state is also divided into election districts- usually one set for Senators and another for Representatives Baker vs Carr (1962) Supreme Court ruled that federal courts could hear suits to force states to redraw electoral districts Reynolds vs Sims (1964) Supreme Court ruled that both state chambers had to be apportioned on the basis of equal population; meant 1 man = 1 vote

Problems Facing States Americans expect more and more from the state governments -better transportation, schools, services -protection of the environment -regulate business -reduce crime and drug abuse Difficult for states to pay for these services -raising of taxes would harm legislator’s re-election chances -federal government has eliminated money that was given in the past for these services because of budget concerns

LA Legislature 144 members total: 39 Senators and 105 House Representatives Prior to the Baker ruling, districts were based on parishes- representative for rural parishes had more influence than one from a city parish because of the number of people being represented Legislators elected to four year terms with a three term limit (12 years)

LA Legislator qualifications 18 years of age or older Must be a registered voter Must be a resident of the state for at least 2 years Must be a resident of the district for at least 1 year

LA Legislative Sessions Meets every year -even numbered years: 30 days during a 45 day period -time tax bills can be passed -odd numbered years: 60 days over an 85 day period Presiding are the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate Legislators propose bills and then take a break to visit the constituents of their districts on the bills. Upon return, they debate and vote on the bills

LA Lawmaking Bills can be introduced in either chamber Committees study and debate the proposed bills -standing committees: education, finance, health and welfare, natural resources, environment, insurance, and transportation -temporary committees: appointed for special purposes -chairpersons and members of the committees are appointed by the speaker of the house and the president of the senate -each legislator will serve on at least 1 committee

Bill introduced in house ort senate Goes to committee for review Committee holds hearings Committee discusses, revises and reports to full chamber Members debate and vote If passed, the bill goes through same process in other chamber If bill passes in identical form, it is sent to the governor within 3 days Governor can sign,veto, or allow bill to become law without signature within 10 days (20 if session has ended) If signed, the bill becomes law. If vetoed, legislature my override with a 2/3 vote of each chamber If either chamber votes no, bill dies

Bills become laws when it is approved by both chambers and is signed by the governor or the governor allows the bill to go into law without signature (governor’s way of showing opposition to the bill) About 2,500 bills are introduced per session- about 1/3 will become laws New laws will take effect on the 60 th day after the end of a legislative session