Indiana General Assembly

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The Indiana State House in Indianapolis

The Indiana General Assembly is the state legislature, or legislative branch, of the state government of Indiana. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Indiana House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Indiana Senate. The state legislature meets in the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

1 Structure
2 Indiana State Senate
3 Indiana House of Representatives
4 External links

[edit] Structure

Indiana has a part-time legislature, which means that it does not meet year-round. The General Assembly convenes on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January. (The Assembly also holds an Organization Day in mid-November to allow newly-elected members to be sworn into office. This day is always counted as the first day of the upcoming legislative session.) During odd numbered years the legislature meets for 61 days (not necessarily consecutively) and must be adjourned by April 30. This is referred to as a long session. During even numbered years the legislature meets for 30 days (not necessarily consecutively) and must be adjourned by March 15. This is referred to as a short session. The governor has the authority to convene what is called a special session if legislators are unable to complete necessary work within the allotted time.

Under Indiana law, legislators cannot be arrested while the General Assembly is in session.

[edit] Indiana State Senate

The Indiana State Senate consists of 50 members elected to 4 year terms. The Lieutenant Governor, currently Becky Skillman, presides over the senate while it is in session and casts the deciding vote in the event of a tie. The current Senate Pro Tempore is Sen. David Long of Fort Wayne. The senate currently has a Republican majority.

[edit] Indiana House of Representatives

The Indiana House of Representatives consists of 100 members elected to 2 year terms. The current Speaker of the House is B. Patrick Bauer. The house currently has a Democratic majority with 51 Democratic representatives and 49 Republican representatives.