Pennsylvania State Assembly

Pennsylvania General Assembly
Type
Type	Bicameral
Houses	Senate House of Representatives
Leadership
President/Lt. Governor	Mike Stack (D) Since January 20, 2015
President pro tem of the Senate	Joseph B. Scarnati (R) Since January 2, 2007
Leader of the Senate	Jake Corman (R) Since January 6, 2015
Speaker of the House	Mike Turzai (R) Since January 6, 2015
Leader of the House	Dave Reed (R) Since January 6, 2015
Structure
Seats	253 50 Senators 203 Representatives
House of Representatives political groups	Republican Party      Democratic Party
State Senate political groups	Republican Party      Democratic Party
Elections
House of Representatives last election	November 8, 2016
State Senate last election	November 8, 2016
Meeting place
Pennsylvania State Capitol
Website
www.legis.state.pa.us

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times (1682–1776), the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by American revolutionaries, the legislature has been known as the General Assembly. The General Assembly became a bicameral legislature in 1791.

The General Assembly has 253 members, consisting of a Senate with 50 members and a House of Representatives with 203 members, making it the second-largest state legislature in the nation (behind New Hampshire) and the largest full-time legislature. As of 2014, members' base pay was $85,356, making it the costliest state legislature per capita in the U.S. Republicans hold a 31-19 majority in the Senate and a 120-83 majority in the House.

The Pennsylvania general elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. A vacant seat must be filled by special election, the date of which is set by the presiding officer of the respective house.

Senators must be at least 25 years old, and Representatives at least 21 years old. They must be citizens and residents of the state for a minimum of four years and reside in their districts for at least one year. Individuals who have been convicted of felonies, including embezzlement, bribery, and perjury, are ineligible for election; the state Constitution also adds the category of "other infamous crimes," which can be broadly interpreted by state courts. No one who has been previously expelled from the General Assembly may be elected.

Legislative districts are drawn every ten years, following the U.S. Census. Districts are drawn by a five-member commission, of which four members are the majority and minority leaders of each house (or their delegates). The fifth member, who chairs the committee, is appointed by the other four and may not be an elected or appointed official. If the leadership cannot decide on a fifth member, the State Supreme Court may appoint him or her.