The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the
state legislature
A state legislature is a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system.
Two federations literally use the term "state legislature":
* The legislative branches of each of the fifty state governments of the United Sta ...
of the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
of
Kentucky
Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...
. It comprises the
Kentucky Senate
The Kentucky Senate is the upper house of the Kentucky General Assembly. The Kentucky Senate is composed of 38 members elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. There are no term limits for Kentucky Senators. The Kentu ...
and the
Kentucky House of Representatives
The Kentucky House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kentucky General Assembly. It is composed of 100 Representatives elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. Not more than two counties can be joined to form ...
.
The General Assembly meets annually in the state
capitol building in
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States, and the seat of Franklin County. It is a home rule-class city; the population was 28,602 at the 2020 census. Located along the Kentucky River, Frankfort is the prin ...
, convening on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January. In even-numbered years, sessions may not last more than 60 legislative days, and cannot extend beyond April 15. In odd-numbered years, sessions may not last more than 30 legislative days, and cannot extend beyond March 30. Special sessions may be called by the
Governor of Kentucky
The governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of government of Kentucky. Sixty-two men and one woman have served as governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-el ...
at any time for any duration.
History
The first meeting of the General Assembly occurred in 1792, shortly after Kentucky was granted statehood. Legislators convened in
Lexington, the state's temporary capital. Among the first orders of business was choosing a permanent state capital. In the end, the small town of Frankfort, with their offer to provide a temporary structure to house the legislature and a cache of materials for constructing a permanent edifice, was chosen, and the state's capital has remained there ever since.
After women gained
suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply franchise, is the right to vote in representative democracy, public, political elections and referendums (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). In some languages, and occasionally i ...
in Kentucky,
Mary Elliott Flanery
Mary Elliott Flanery (April 27, 1867 – July 19, 1933) was an Americans, American progressive era social reformer, suffragist, politician, and journalist who is best remembered as the first woman elected to the Kentucky General Assembly and fir ...
was elected to the Kentucky House of Representative from the 89th District representing
Boyd County, Kentucky
Boyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, its population was 48,065. The county seat is Catlettsburg, and its largest city is Ashland. The county was formed in 1860. Its are found at the northeaste ...
. When Flanery took her seat in January 1922, she was the first female state legislator elected in Kentucky and the first female legislator elected south of the
Mason–Dixon line
The Mason–Dixon line, also called the Mason and Dixon line or Mason's and Dixon's line, is a demarcation line separating four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia (part of Virginia ...
.
Operation Boptrot
Operation Boptrot, also referred to as Boptrot, was an investigation by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into corruption among the Kentucky General Assembly, the Commonwealth's legislature. The operation was highly successful ...
lead to the conviction of more than a dozen legislators between 1992 and 1995. The investigation also led to reform legislation being passed in 1993.
The Civil War
Due to the strong
Union
Union commonly refers to:
* Trade union, an organization of workers
* Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets
Union may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Music
* Union (band), an American rock group
** ''Un ...
sympathies of a majority of the commonwealth's citizens and elected officials, Kentucky remained officially neutral during the
Civil War
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...
. Even so, a group of
Confederate
Confederacy or confederate may refer to:
States or communities
* Confederate state or confederation, a union of sovereign groups or communities
* Confederate States of America, a confederation of secessionist American states that existed between 1 ...
sympathizers met in
Russellville in November 1861, to establish a
Confederate government for the state. The group established a Confederate state capital in
Bowling Green
A bowling green is a finely laid, close-mown and rolled stretch of turf for playing the game of bowls.
Before 1830, when Edwin Beard Budding of Thrupp, near Stroud, UK, invented the lawnmower, lawns were often kept cropped by grazing sheep on ...
, but never successfully displaced the elected General Assembly in Frankfort.
Assassination of Governor Goebel
The General Assembly played a decisive role in the disputed gubernatorial election of 1899. Initial vote tallies had Republican
William S. Taylor leading Democrat
William Goebel
William Justus Goebel (January 4, 1856 – February 3, 1900) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 34th governor of Kentucky for four days in 1900, having been sworn in on his deathbed a day after being shot by an assassin. ...
by a scant 2,383 votes.
The General Assembly, however, wielded the final authority in election disputes. With a majority in both houses, the Democrats attempted to invalidate enough votes to give the election to Goebel. During the contentious days that followed, an unidentified assassin shot Goebel as he approached the state capitol.
As Goebel hovered on the brink of death, chaos ensued in Frankfort, and further violence threatened. Taylor, serving as governor pending a final decision on the election, called out the
militia
A militia () is generally an army or some other fighting organization of non-professional soldiers, citizens of a country, or subjects of a state, who may perform military service during a time of need, as opposed to a professional force of r ...
and ordered the General Assembly into a special session, not in Frankfort, but in
London, Kentucky
London is a home rule-class city in Laurel County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. The population was 7,993 at the time of the 2010 census. It is the second-largest city named "London" in the United States and the ...
, a Republican area of the state.
The Republican minority naturally heeded the call and headed to London. Democrats predictably resisted the call, many retiring to
Louisville
Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border.
...
instead. Both factions claimed authority, but the Republicans were too few in number to muster a
quorum
A quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly (a body that uses parliamentary procedure, such as a legislature) necessary to conduct the business of that group. According to ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'', the ...
.
Goebel died four days after receiving the fatal shot, and the election was eventually contested to the
U.S. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that involve a point o ...
, who ruled the General Assembly's actions legal and made Goebel's
lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...
,
J. C. W. Beckham
John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham (August 5, 1869 – January 9, 1940) was an American attorney serving as the List of governors of Kentucky, 35th Governor of Kentucky and a United States Senate, United States Senator from Kentucky. He was the s ...
, governor of the state.
Houses
The General Assembly is
bicameral
Bicameralism is a type of legislature, one divided into two separate assemblies, chambers, or houses, known as a bicameral legislature. Bicameralism is distinguished from unicameralism, in which all members deliberate and vote as a single grou ...
, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
The House and Senate chambers are on opposite ends of the third floor of the capitol building, and legislators have offices in the nearby Capitol Annex building.
Section 33 of the Kentucky Constitution requires that the General Assembly divide the state int
38 Senatean
100 Housedistricts. Districts are required to be as nearly equal in population as possible. Districts can be formed by joining more than one county, but the counties forming a district must be contiguous. Districts must be reviewed every 10 years and be re-divided if necessary.
Under the state constitution, only three counties may be divided to form a Senate district—
Jefferson Jefferson may refer to:
Names
* Jefferson (surname)
* Jefferson (given name)
People
* Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), third president of the United States
* Jefferson (footballer, born 1970), full name Jefferson Tomaz de Souza, Brazilian foo ...
(
Louisville
Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border.
...
),
Fayette (
Lexington) and
Kenton (
Covington).
Senate
The Senate is the
upper house
An upper house is one of two Debate chamber, chambers of a bicameralism, bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house.''Bicameralism'' (1997) by George Tsebelis The house formally designated as the upper house is usually smalle ...
of the General Assembly.
Terms and qualifications
According to Section 32 of the
Kentucky Constitution The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the document that governs the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was first adopted in 1792 and has since been rewritten three times and amended many more. The later versions were adopted in 1799, 1850, a ...
, a state senator must:
*be at least 30 years old;
*be a citizen of Kentucky;
*have resided in the state at least 6 years and the district at least 1 year prior to election.
Under section 30 of the
Kentucky Constitution The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the document that governs the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was first adopted in 1792 and has since been rewritten three times and amended many more. The later versions were adopted in 1799, 1850, a ...
, senators are elected to four year staggered terms, with half the Senate elected every two years.
Leadership
Prior to a 1992 constitutional amendment, the
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
The lieutenant governor of Kentucky was created under the state's second constitution, which was ratified in 1799. The inaugural officeholder was Alexander Scott Bullitt, who took office in 1800 following his election to serve under James Garrard ...
presided over the Senate; the 1992 amendment created a new office of
President of the Senate
President of the Senate is a title often given to the presiding officer of a senate. It corresponds to the speaker in some other assemblies.
The senate president often ranks high in a jurisdiction's succession for its top executive office: for e ...
to be held by one of the 38 senators.
*President (elected by full body):
Robert Stivers
Bertram Robert Stivers II (born December 24, 1961), is a Republican member of the Kentucky Senate representing the 25th Senate District since 1997. He served as the Republican Majority Leader of the Kentucky State Senate through 2012, and becam ...
(R-25)
*President Pro-Tempore (elected by full body): David P. Givens (R-9)
Additionally, each party elects a
floor leader
In politics, floor leaders, also known as a caucus leader, are leaders of their respective political party in a body of a legislature.
Philippines
In the Philippines each body of the bicameral Congress has a majority floor leader and a minor ...
,
whip
A whip is a tool or weapon designed to strike humans or other animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain. They can also be used without inflicting pain, for audiovisual cues, such as in equestrianism. They are generally e ...
, and
caucus chair.
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the
lower house
A lower house is one of two Debate chamber, chambers of a Bicameralism, bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house. Despite its official position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide, the lower house has co ...
of the General Assembly. Section 47 of the Kentucky Constitution stipulates that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives.
Terms and qualifications
According to Section 32 of the
Kentucky Constitution The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the document that governs the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was first adopted in 1792 and has since been rewritten three times and amended many more. The later versions were adopted in 1799, 1850, a ...
, a state representative must:
*be at least 24 years old;
*be a citizen of Kentucky
*have resided in the state at least 2 years and the district at least 1 year prior to election.
Per section 30 of the
Kentucky Constitution The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the document that governs the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was first adopted in 1792 and has since been rewritten three times and amended many more. The later versions were adopted in 1799, 1850, a ...
, representatives are elected every two years in the November following a regular session of the General Assembly.
Leadership
*Speaker (elected by full body):
David Osborne (R-59)
*Speaker Pro Tempore (elected by full body):
David Meade
David Meade (born June 22, 1976) is an American politician and a Republican Party (United States), Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives representing District 80 since January 8, 2013. His legislative district includes Lincol ...
(R-80)
Additionally, each party elects a floor leader, whip, and caucus chair.
Standing committees
Senate Standing Committees and Chairs
* AGRICULTURE, Sen. Paul Hornback
* APPROPRIATIONS & REVENUE, Sen. Christian McDaniel
** Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development and Tourism, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection: Sen. Chris Girdler
** Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on Education: Rep. Stephen West
** Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, and Public Protection: Sen. Danny Carroll
** Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources: Sen. Ralph Alvarado
** Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary: Sen. Wil Schroder
** Senate Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation: Sen. Max Wise
* BANKING & INSURANCE, Sen. Tom Buford
* COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES, Sen. Robert Stivers II
* ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, AND LABOR, Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr
* EDUCATION, Sen. Mike Wilson
* ENROLLMENT, Sen. Max Wise
* HEALTH & WELFARE, Sen. Julie Raque Adams
* JUDICIARY, Sen. Whitney Westerfield
* LICENSING, OCCUPATIONS, & ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS, Sen. John Schickel
* NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY, Sen. Jared Carpenter
* RULES, Sen. Robert Stivers II
* STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Sen. Joe Bowen
* TRANSPORTATION, Sen. Ernie Harris
* VETERANS, MILITARY AFFAIRS, & PUBLIC PROTECTION, Sen. Albert Robinson
House Standing Committees and Chairs
* AGRICULTURE, Rep. Richard Heath
* APPROPRIATIONS & REVENUE, Rep. Steven Rudy
** House Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy, Rep. Jill York
** House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Rep. Suzanne Miles
** House Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services, Rep. Russell Webber
** House Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, & Judiciary, Rep. Jason Nemes
** House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance, Rep. Brian Linder
** House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Rep. James Tipton
** House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Investment, Rep. Regina Bunch
** House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation, Rep. Sal Santoro
* BANKING & INSURANCE, Rep. Bart Rowland
* COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES, Rep. Jeff Hoover
* ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & WORKFORCE INVESTMENT: Rep. Jim DeCesare
* EDUCATION: Rep. John Carney
* ELECTIONS, CONST. AMENDMENTS & INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS: Rep. Kenny Imes
* ENROLLMENT: Rep. Donna Mayfield
* HEALTH and Family Services: Rep. Addia Wuchner
* JUDICIARY: Rep. Joseph M. Fischer
* LICENSING, OCCUPATIONS, & ADMIN REGS: Rep. Adam Koenig
* LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Rep. Michael Meredith
* NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY: Rep. Jim Gooch, Jr.
* RULES: Rep. Jeff Hoover
* SMALL BUSINESS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Rep. Diane St. Onge
* STATE GOVERNMENT: Rep. Jerry T. Miller
* TOURISM & OUTDOOR RECREATION: Rep. Tommy Turner
* TRANSPORTATION: Rep. Marie Rader
* VETERANS, MILITARY AFFAIRS, & PUBLIC PROTECTION: Rep. Tim Moore
Legislative Research Commission
The Kentucky General Assembly is served by a 16-member nonpartisan agency called the
Legislative Research Commission The Legislative Research Commission (LRC) is an agency of Kentucky state government that supports the state legislature, the Kentucky General Assembly.
The LRC was originally created in 1948 with the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky as its head.
Th ...
(LRC). Created in 1948, the LRC provides the General Assembly with staff and research support including committee staffing, bill drafting, oversight of the state budget and educational reform, production of educational materials, maintenance of a reference library and Internet site, and the preparation and printing of research reports, informational bulletins and a legislative newspaper. It is led by the elected leadership of the
Democratic and
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
parties in both the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Kentucky Senate, while the agency is run on a day-to-day basis by a
Director
Director may refer to:
Literature
* ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine
* ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker
* ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty
Music
* Director (band), an Irish rock band
* ''Di ...
.
See also
*
Kentucky Senate
The Kentucky Senate is the upper house of the Kentucky General Assembly. The Kentucky Senate is composed of 38 members elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. There are no term limits for Kentucky Senators. The Kentu ...
*
Kentucky House of Representatives
The Kentucky House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kentucky General Assembly. It is composed of 100 Representatives elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. Not more than two counties can be joined to form ...
*
Government of Kentucky
As established and defined by the Kentucky Constitution, the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is composed of three branches: the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative.
Executive Branch
The executive branch is headed by the governor, w ...
References
External links
Kentucky Legislature Home PageKentucky Educational Television General Assembly page
{{Authority control
Bicameral legislatures