The CT General Assembly

The Legislature of the State of Connecticut is known as the General Assembly and consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. In accordance with the Constitution adopted in 1965, legislators are elected to both houses for two-year terms from single member districts of substantially equal population. The House and Senate meet at the State Capitol in Hartford. General Assembly committees meet and hold hearings in the adjoining Legislative Office Building

KEY DATES 2004 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

SESSIONS

REGULAR SESSIONS:

Odd-numbered years: Held beginning on the Wednesday following the first Monday in January and adjourning not later than Wednesday following the first Monday in June.

Even-numbered years: Held beginning on the Wednesday following the first Monday in February and adjourning not later than Wednesday following the first Monday in May. The even-year session may consider no business other than budgetary, revenue and financial matters; bills and resolutions raised by committees of the General Assembly; and matters certified in writing by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate to be of an emergency nature.

SPECIAL SESSIONS: May be called by the Governor in emergencies and upon petition by a majority of the elected members of each house. POST-ADJOURNMENT OR "TRAILER" SESSION: Following a regular or special session in which any bills vetoed by the Governor have not been reconsidered, the Secretary of the State must reconvene the General Assembly for the sole purpose of acting on such bills.

MEMBERSHIP

THE SENATE: 36 Senators, one from each of the 36 Senatorial Districts. (The Constitution provides for not less than 30 and not more than 50 members). Political party composition: 21 Democrats, 15 Republicans

THE HOUSE: 151 Representatives, one from each of the 151 Assembly Districts. (The Constitution provides for not less than 125 and not more than 225 members). Political party composition: 100 Democrats, 51 Republicans.

TERM OF OFFICE: Two years.

ELECTED: November of even-numbered years.

ANNUAL SALARY: $28,000 plus $5,500 expenses for senators and $4,500 for representatives, plus a $0.30 per-mile travel allowance.

ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES

At the beginning of each session, the Senate and House of Representatives adopt separate rules for conducting business in plenary session. They also adopt joint rules for joint committees and procedures. The houses hold joint conventions to inaugurate the Governor and other state officials, to receive the Governor's state of the state and budget messages, and to conduct other necessary business.

SESSIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

After January 10, 2001 and February 8, 2002, the following committees may meet only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Education, Environment, Government Administration and Elections, Judiciary, Planning and Development, and Transportation.

The following committees may meet only on Tuesdays and Thursdays: Banks, Commerce, Energy and Technology, General Law, Human Services, Insurance and Real Estate, Labor and Public Employees, Public Health, Public Safety, and the Select Committees on Aging, Children, Housing, and Workforce Development.

The Appropriations; Finance, Revenue and Bonding; Executive and Legislative Nominations; Program Review and Investigations; Regulation Review; and Legislative Management committees may meet on any weekday. The Judiciary Committee may meet on any weekday after April 4, 2001 and March 11, 2002.

The speaker and president pro tempore or their designees may grant special exceptions to these rules. Committees may meet on any day during the interim between the 2001 and 2002 regular sessions and after the 2002 regular session.

MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERS

Majority and minority leaders preside over party caucuses, direct party strategy, assemble party members for important votes, serve as spokesperson for parties in dealing with Governor and press, serve as ex-officio members of all committees. In each house, minority members of committees are appointed on nomination of minority leadership.

THE SENATE

OFFICERS

President: M. Jodi Rell (R) ß By virtue of her office as lieutenant Governor, presides over Senate; refers bills to appropriate committees.

President Pro Tempore: Kevin B. Sullivan (D) ß Elected by Senate; presides over Senate in absence of President; appoints Senate chairmen and members of committees.

Majority Leader: Martin Looney(D) ß Elected by majority party members of Senate.

Minority Leader: Louis C. DeLuca (R) ß Elected by minority party members of Senate.

THE HOUSE

OFFICERS

Speaker: Moira K. Lyons (D) ß Elected by House of Representatives; presides over House; appoints House chairmen and members of committees; refers bills to appropriate committees.

Majority Leader: James Amman(D) ß Elected by majority party members of House.

Minority Leader: Robert M. Ward (R) ß Elected by minority party members of the House.