Montana State Legislature
Encyclopedia
The Montana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state
of Montana
. It is composed of the 100-member Montana House of Representatives
and the 50-member Montana Senate
.
The Montana Constitution
dictates that the legislature meet in regular session for no longer than 90 days in each odd-numbered year. The primary work of the legislature is to pass a balanced biennial budget which must then be approved by the Governor.
Since the beginning of statehood for Montana, the Legislature has been split along party lines fairly consistently and evenly. Since adoption of the current state constitution in 1972, which mandated single-member legislative districts for the first time in the state's history, the Montana Senate has been controlled by Democrats in 9 sessions, and Republicans in 10 sessions. During the same period, the Montana House has been controlled by Democrats in 8 sessions and Republicans in 9 sessions with two ties. According to state law, in the instance of a tie, control goes to the party of the sitting Governor. The 62nd Legislature (2011-2012) is controlled by the Republican Party with the House having 68 Republican members and 32 Democratic members, and the Senate having 28 Republican members and 22 Democratic members..
Members are limited to serving no more than 8 years in either chamber but the term limit is consecutive not lifetime.
The Montana State Legislature meets in the state capital of Helena
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. It is composed of the 100-member Montana House of Representatives
Montana House of Representatives
The Montana House of Representatives is, with the Montana Senate, one of the two houses of the Montana Legislature. Composed of 100 members, the House elects its leadership every two years.-Composition of the House:...
and the 50-member Montana Senate
Montana Senate
The Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature, the state legislative branch of the U.S. state of Montana. The body is composed of 50 senators.-Composition of the Senate:-Officers:*Majority Whip: Greg Barkus...
.
The Montana Constitution
Montana Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Montana is the primary legal document providing for the self-governance of the U.S. State of Montana. It establishes and defines the powers of the three branches of the government of Montana, and the rights of its citizens...
dictates that the legislature meet in regular session for no longer than 90 days in each odd-numbered year. The primary work of the legislature is to pass a balanced biennial budget which must then be approved by the Governor.
Since the beginning of statehood for Montana, the Legislature has been split along party lines fairly consistently and evenly. Since adoption of the current state constitution in 1972, which mandated single-member legislative districts for the first time in the state's history, the Montana Senate has been controlled by Democrats in 9 sessions, and Republicans in 10 sessions. During the same period, the Montana House has been controlled by Democrats in 8 sessions and Republicans in 9 sessions with two ties. According to state law, in the instance of a tie, control goes to the party of the sitting Governor. The 62nd Legislature (2011-2012) is controlled by the Republican Party with the House having 68 Republican members and 32 Democratic members, and the Senate having 28 Republican members and 22 Democratic members..
Members are limited to serving no more than 8 years in either chamber but the term limit is consecutive not lifetime.
The Montana State Legislature meets in the state capital of Helena
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
.
See also
- Montana State CapitolMontana State CapitolThe Montana State Capitol is the state capitol of the U.S. state of Montana. It houses the Montana State Legislature and is located in the state capital of Helena at 1301 East Sixth Avenue. The building was constructed between 1896 and 1902 with wing-annexes added between 1909 and 1912.-History:A...
- Montana House of RepresentativesMontana House of RepresentativesThe Montana House of Representatives is, with the Montana Senate, one of the two houses of the Montana Legislature. Composed of 100 members, the House elects its leadership every two years.-Composition of the House:...
- Montana SenateMontana SenateThe Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature, the state legislative branch of the U.S. state of Montana. The body is composed of 50 senators.-Composition of the Senate:-Officers:*Majority Whip: Greg Barkus...
- Montana State GovernmentMontana State GovernmentAs established and defined by the Montana Constitution, the government of the State of Montana is composed of three branches, the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative...