Vermont General Assembly
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The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the U.S. state of Vermont and is seated in Montpelier, the state capital. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself [link]. The Legislature is a bicameral body, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives consists of 150 members elected by single- and two-member districts. Sixty-six districts choose one member, and 42 choose two, the term of service being two years. The Senate includes 30 Senators, elected by 13 multi-member districts.
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, 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.
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 state constitution. 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)
The Legislature 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 left-wing party based in Burlington.
See also
- Members of the Vermont House of Representatives, 2005-2006 session
- Vermont Representative Districts, 2002-2012
- Members of the Vermont Senate, 2005-2006 session
- Vermont Senate Districts, 2002-2012
External links
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