Vermont General Assembly

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Vermont General Assembly

Type Bicameral
Houses Senate
House of Representatives
President of the Senate Brian Dubie, (R)
since January 9, 2003
Speaker of the House Gaye Symington, (D)
since January 5, 2005
Members 180
Political groups Democratic Party
Republican Party
Vermont Progressive Party
Independents
Last elections January 8, 2007
Meeting place Vermont State House
Web site http://www.leg.state.vt.us/
Chamber of the Vermont Senate in the Vermont State House at Montpelier restored to its 1859 appearance.
Chamber of the Vermont Senate in the Vermont State House at Montpelier restored to its 1859 appearance.
Representatives Hall, where the Vermont House of Representatives convenes in the Vermont State House. The oval back chairs on either side of the rostrum seat the Vermont Senate during joint sessions. The chamber is shown following restoration to its 1859 appearance.
Representatives Hall, where the Vermont House of Representatives convenes in the Vermont State House. The oval back chairs on either side of the rostrum seat the Vermont Senate during joint sessions. The chamber is shown following restoration to its 1859 appearance.

The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the U.S. state of Vermont. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself [1]. The General Assembly is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the 150-member Vermont House of Representatives and the 30-member Vermont Senate. Members of the House are elected by single and two-member districts. 66 districts choose one member, and 42 choose two, with the term of service being two years. The Senate includes 30 Senators, elected by 13 multi-member districts.

The Vermont General Assembly meets at the State House in Montpelier.

Contents

[edit] Elections

Legislative elections are held in November of every even-numbered year. Representatives and Senators serve two-year terms. One must be a resident of the state for the two years, and of the legislative district for the one year, immediately preceding the election in order to qualify for either house.

The House is headed by the Speaker of the House, while the Senate is headed by the State's Lieutenant Governor as the Senate President. The Senate President has only a casting vote. More often, the Senate is presided over by the President Pro Tempore, or temporary President.

[edit] Functions

The Legislature is empowered to make law, subject to the Governor's power to veto a bill. However, the veto may be overridden by the Legislature if there is a two-thirds majority in favor of overriding in each House.

The Legislature has the sole power to propose amendments to the Constitution of Vermont. An amendment must originate in the Senate, where it must receive a two-thirds vote. After passing the Senate, it must also receive a majority vote in the House. Any amendment that passes both Houses, must be repassed by majority votes, after a newly elected legislature is seated; again, first in the Senate, then in the House. The proposed amendment must then be passed by a majority of the state's voters at a referendum. Only every other Senate session may initiate the amendment process. Thus, Senates elected in off-year (i.e. non-Presidential) elections may initiate amendments, but not Senates elected during Presidential elections. (Vermont Constitution, Chapter 2, Section 72)

[edit] The role of third parties

The General Assembly is notable for being the only state legislature in the United States with a significant third-party presence. Six members of the House belong to the Vermont Progressive Party, a center-left party similar to the Social Democratic Party of Germany or the Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP). Several other parties that have won legislative seats include the Green Party, and the Liberty Union Party, based largely on the philosophy of Eugene V. Debs. Some members of the smaller parties caucus with members of the Vermont Democratic Party.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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