The presiding officer of the Senate is the president, while the speaker is the head of the House of Representatives. Both chair the meetings of their respective houses, maintain order in the chambers, manage the flow of business, clarify rules, and decide on questions of order. The Legislature convenes each year at 10 a.m. on the third Wednesday of January for a regular session of up to 60 days. Special sessions, limited to 30 days, may be convened by the Legislature's presiding officers or the governor. Legislative committees are named for the subject area over which they have responsibilities.
Committees vary in size and number from year to year.
Their names, too, may change. Committee members review programs, propose legislation, financial plans, and other matters within their scope. The findings and recommendations are reported to the whole house through committee reports for consideration. The clerk of each house is the custodian of the records, routes communication and resolutions, pay bills, manages property, and has other support and fiscal responsibilities. The Legislature has other offices under its administration.