The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the state legislature of Kentucky. The Kentucky General Assembly is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the upper Kentucky Senate and the lower Kentucky House of Representatives. Section 33 of the Kentucky Constitution requires that the General Assembly divide the state into 38 Senate and 100 House districts. Districts are required to be as nearly equal in population as possible. Districts must be reviewed every 10 years and be re-divided if necessary.
The General Assembly meets annually in the state capitol building in Frankfort, Kentucky, 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 at any time for any duration.
The Senate is the upper house of the General Assembly. According to Section 32 of the Kentucky Constitution, 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.
According to section 30 of the Kentucky Constitution, senators are elected to four year staggered terms, with half the Senate elected every two years. Prior to a 1992 constitutional amendment, the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky presided over the Senate; the 1992 amendment created a new office of President of the Senate to be held by one of the 38 senators.
The House of Representatives is the lower house of the General Assembly. Section 47 of the Kentucky Constitution stipulates that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. According to Section 32 of the Kentucky Constitution, 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.
