Present Senators' terms end January 1998. Term 2 years, elected in odd numbered years. The Senate and General Assembly meet separately to organize at noon on the second Tuesday in January of each year. Each legislative session runs two years, starting in even-numbered years. Any bills not acted upon during the first year are carried over into the second year.
All unfinished business expires at the end of the second year.
The Legislature reconvenes in early spring to consider the budget. At its first meeting, the Senate elects from its membership a president and president pro tem. The Assembly elects a speaker and a speaker pro tem. These officers are nearly always members of the majority party. The duties of the officers are prescribed by the rules of each house.