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Alabama legislature

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The Alabama Legislature met at the Alabama State Capitol between 1851 to 1985.
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The Alabama Legislature met at the Alabama State Capitol between 1851 to 1985.

The Alabama Legislature is the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama Senate, with 35 senators.

The Legislature meets in the Alabama State House (Officially designated as such by Amendment 427 to the Constitution) in Montgomery. The original capitol building located nearby has not been used by the Legislature since 1985, when it closed for renovations. It presently serves as a museum.

Since the Legislature’s creation in 1819, it has legislated a total of six different state constitutions, coming in 1819, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1875, and 1901. The current 1901 Constitution is also the longest written constitution in the United States and the entire world.

House of Representatives

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The House of Representatives consists of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, each containing a population of approximately 40,000. Representatives must be 21 years of age or over, an Alabama citizen for three years, and a resident of their respective district for at least a year. Representatives are sworn into office at midnight on the day of their election.

Whereas most lower houses of U.S. state legislatures have two year terms, Alabama is one of the five states that have four year terms.

The current Speaker of the House is Seth Hammett, representing the 92nd District (Covington and Escambia).

Make-up of the House of Representatives

Affiliation Members
#3333FF>  Democratic Party 61
#FF3333>  Republican Party 42
  Vacant
2
 Total
105
 Government Majority
19

Senate

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The Senate consists of 35 senators representing an equal amount of districts, with each district containing a population of approximately 125,000. According to Article IX, Sections 197 and 198 of the 1901 Constitution, the Senate must be around one-third of the size of the House. Senators must be 25 years of age or older, an Alabama citizen of three years, and a resident of their district for at least a year.

The current President of the Senate is Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley. The President Pro Tempore is Lowell Ray Barron, who outlines most legislative schedules and debates when the Lieutenant Governor is absent.

Makeup of the Senate

Affiliation Members
#3333FF>  Democratic Party 25
#FF3333>  Republican Party 10
 Total
35
 Government Majority
15

External links

 


From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
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