Pennsylvania General Assembly

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. In colonial times (1682–1776), the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since 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, consisting of a Senate with 50 members and a House of Representatives with 203 members, making it the second-largest state legislature in the nation (behind New Hampshire) and the largest full-time legislature. As of 2005, members' base pay was $78,314,^[1] the fourth highest legislative salary in the nation^[1], making it the costliest state legislature per capita in the U.S.^[2] Republicans hold a 30-20 majority in the Senate^[2], and a 112-90 majority in the House.

The Pennsylvania general elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. A vacant seat must be filled by special election, the date of which is set by the presiding officer of the respective house.

Senators must be at least 25 years old, and Representatives at least 21 years old. They must be citizens and residents of the state for a minimum of four years and reside in their districts for at least one year. Individuals who have been convicted of felonies, including embezzlement, bribery, and perjury, are ineligible for election; the state 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.^[3]

Legislative districts are drawn every ten 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 each house (or their delegates). The fifth member, who chairs the committee, is appointed by the other four and may not be an elected or appointed official. If the leadership cannot decide on a fifth member, the State Supreme Court may appoint him.

While in office, legislators may not hold civil office. Even if a member resigns, the Constitution states that he may not be appointed to civil office for the duration of the original term for which he was originally elected.

Legislative sessions

The General Assembly convenes at noon on the first Tuesday of January and then meets 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 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 move only if given the consent of both chambers.

General assembly leadership

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Speaker of the House of Representatives: Samuel H. Smith (R) [1]

Pennsylvania State Senate

President Pro Tem of the Senate: Joseph B. Scarnati (R)

See also

• 2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy
• Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006
• Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2008
• Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, for the General Assembly before 1776
• Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus

References

External links

• Pennsylvania General Assembly
• Legislative Process