Tennessee General Assembly

Tennessee_State_Capitol_2022f

Tennessee_House

The Tennessee General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is a bicameral body consisting of the Tennessee House of Representatives and the Tennessee Senate. The General Assembly convenes at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The Tennessee General Assembly is composed of two chambers:

The Tennessee House of Representatives: This lower house consists of 99 members who are elected to two-year terms. Each member represents a district of approximately equal population.
The Tennessee Senate: This upper house consists of 33 members who are elected to four-year terms. Each member represents a district that is approximately three times the size of a House district.

Leadership[edit | edit source]

The leadership of the Tennessee General Assembly includes:

The Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, who presides over the House.
The Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee, who serves as the Speaker of the Senate.

Legislative Process[edit | edit source]

The legislative process in the Tennessee General Assembly involves several steps: 1. **Introduction of Bills**: Bills can be introduced in either the House or the Senate. 2. **Committee Review**: Bills are assigned to relevant committees for detailed examination. 3. **Debate and Voting**: Bills that pass committee review are debated and voted on by the full chamber. 4. **Second Chamber**: If a bill passes in one chamber, it is sent to the other chamber for consideration. 5. **Governor's Approval**: Bills that pass both chambers are sent to the Governor of Tennessee for approval or veto.

Sessions[edit | edit source]

The General Assembly meets in regular session annually, beginning on the second Tuesday in January. Special sessions can be called by the Governor or by a two-thirds majority of both chambers.

History[edit | edit source]

The Tennessee General Assembly was established by the Tennessee Constitution in 1796. It has played a significant role in the state's history, including during the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.