A Children's Guide to Louisiana - English Version

[Sargun II]

Flag of the Glorious Republic of Louisiana

Louisiana Federal Legislature

Bicameral – Senate and House of Representatives

President - Huey P. Long (Democrat)

Vice President - Bobby Jindal (Republican)

Senate Leader - President of the Senate Joel Chaisson (Democrat)

Majority Senate Party - Democratic Party

Last Election - April 27, 2009

Members - 14

House Leader - Speaker of the House Jim Tucker (Republican)

Majority House Party - Republican Party

Last Election - April 27, 2009

Members - 144

Legislature

The Louisiana legislature is the legislative body for the Glorious Republic of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 144 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 14 senators, two for each federal in the Republic. Members of both houses are elected from single-member constituencies.

The Federal Legislature meets in the Louisiana Federal Capitol in New Orleans.

Terms

Members of both houses of the legislature serve a four-year term, with a term limits in the Republic of three terms (twelve years).

Officers

The officers of each house of the Legislature are elected at the beginning of each term to serve for four-year terms. The Louisiana House of Representatives elects from among its members a speaker and speaker pro tempore. Although the procedure is not mandated constitutionally, the speaker of the House is traditionally recommended by the President of Louisiana to the body. The current speaker, Jim Tucker Jim Tucker, a Republican Party Republican, presides over the House, despite his party not commanding a majority. The House also elects its chief clerical officer, the clerk of the House, who is not an elected member. The Louisiana Senate elects its presiding officer, the president of the Senate, from among its membership, though the position is also traditionally recommended by the President. Each house provides for the election of its officers.

Sessions and Quorum

In even-numbered years, a federal legislature convenes at noon on the last Monday in March to extend for no longer than 60 legislative days during a period of 85 days. In odd-numbered years, a limited jurisdiction session convenes at noon on the last Monday in April for no longer than 45 legislative days during a period of 60 days. The legislature also may convene for extraordinary sessions and for veto sessions. The legislature is required to meet in an organizational session, which cannot exceed three days, on the date its members take office. A special session may be called by the President or may be convened by the presiding officers of both houses upon a written petition of a majority of the elected members of each house. A special session is limited to the number of days stated in the proclamation, not to exceed 30 days. The power to legislate in a special session is limited to the objects specifically enumerated in the proclamation.

In order to constitute a quorum, both houses require a majority of members present; 75 members of the House of Representatives and 8 members of the Senate. A smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel attendance of absent members. Each house is required to also keep a journal of its proceedings and have it published immediately after the close of each session. The journal of each house is required to accurately reflect the proceedings therein, including all record votes. When the legislature is in session, neither house can adjourn for more than three days or to another place without the consent of the other house.

Political immunity

Members of both houses of the Federal Legislature are free from arrest, except for felony, during their attendance at sessions and committee meetings of their house and while going to and from them. No member shall be questioned elsewhere for any speech in either house.

Veto powers

The President of Louisiana carries the power of the line-item veto. However, the legislature has the constitutional power to override a gubernatorial veto by an overriding vote of two-thirds from each house.