Extraordinary sessions may be called by the Governor or by the Legislature itself. Legislatures are identified by consecutive numbers. Each house of the Legislature organizes independently to function during the legislative session. By law, the Lieutenant Governor is president of the Senate, but the role is limited to presiding over special sessions and casting the deciding vote in case of a tie. The law also provides the Senate will elect a President Pro Tempore and the House of Representatives will elect a Speaker of the House.
State Senators serve staggered four-year terms.
Senators in odd-numbered districts were elected in 1996. Those in even-numbered districts were elected in 1994. The Legislature occupies the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the State Capitol. The Senate is on the east side of the rotunda and the House of Representatives is on the west side. Joint sessions are held in the House Chambers.