Normally, the Legislature is in session Monday through Thursday. Extraordinary sessions may be called by the Governor or by the Legislature itself. Each house of the Legislature organizes independently to function during the legislative session. By law, the Lieutenant Governor is president of the Senate. Members of both houses take office within 15 days after the General Election at which they are elected.
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. Any member of either house may introduce legislation. The bill is then printed to include any changes made by the house of origin and transmitted to the other house to repeat the same process. If the two houses are unable to agree with changes made by one or the other house, a conference committee is appointed with members from both houses to work out differences.