Oregon Legislative Assembly

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Oregon_Legislative_Assembly_Seal

The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is a bicameral body composed of the Oregon State Senate and the Oregon House of Representatives. The Legislative Assembly convenes at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.

Structure

The Oregon Legislative Assembly consists of two chambers:

• The Oregon State Senate: The upper house, which is composed of 30 members. Senators serve four-year terms, with half of the seats up for election every two years.
• The Oregon House of Representatives: The lower house, which is composed of 60 members. Representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years.

Leadership

The leadership of the Oregon Legislative Assembly includes:

• The President of the Oregon State Senate, who presides over the Senate.
• The Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, who presides over the House.

Sessions

The Oregon Legislative Assembly meets in regular session annually. In odd-numbered years, the session begins in January and can last up to 160 days. In even-numbered years, the session begins in February and can last up to 35 days. Special sessions can be called by the Governor of Oregon or by a two-thirds majority of both chambers.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in the Oregon Legislative Assembly involves several steps: 1. **Introduction**: A bill is introduced in either the Senate or the House. 2. **Committee Review**: The bill is assigned to a committee for study and recommendation. 3. **Floor Debate**: The bill is debated on the floor of the originating chamber. 4. **Vote**: The bill is voted on by the members of the originating chamber. 5. **Second Chamber**: If approved, the bill moves to the other chamber for consideration. 6. **Governor's Approval**: If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the Governor for approval or veto.

Committees

The Oregon Legislative Assembly has several standing committees, including:

• Joint Committee on Ways and Means
• House Committee on Education
• Senate Committee on Health Care

History

The Oregon Legislative Assembly was established in 1859 when Oregon was admitted to the Union. The first session was held in 1860.

See Also

• Oregon State Capitol
• Governor of Oregon
• Oregon State Senate
• Oregon House of Representatives
• List of Oregon state legislatures