Tennessee General Assembly

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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

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

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

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

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

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.

Related Pages

• Tennessee House of Representatives
• Tennessee Senate
• Tennessee State Capitol
• Governor of Tennessee
• Tennessee Constitution
• Nashville, Tennessee