Blog
Get to Know the Tennessee General Assembly
| The state legislature reconvened this week for the second half of the 112th General Assembly. Read on for a refresher on the Tennessee General Assembly. |
| The state legislature reconvened in Nashville on Tuesday, January 11, and is back in session of the second half of the 112th Tennessee General Assembly. The legislature meets for 90-days over two-years terms beginning on the second Tuesday of January.1 Sessions usually conclude in April or May, however in 2021, the legislature also convened for three special legislative sessions regarding education, incentives for a Ford Motor Company site in West Tennessee and COVID-19. |
| Who serves in the Tennessee General Assembly? |
| The Tennessee General Assembly is composed of two chambers, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Tennessee is served by 99 members of the House and 33 members of the Senate.2 The House is currently comprised of 73 Republicans and 26 Democrats while the Senate is comprised of 27 Republicans and 6 Democrats.3 |
| How are members elected? |
| House members are elected to served for two-year terms while Senators are elected for four-year terms.4 This year, all members of the House will be running for re-election in November. Tennessee Senators are elected on a different schedule than House members. Every two years, roughly half of the 33 senators run for re-election, alternating between those that represent even and odd numbered districts.5 For example, in 2022, senators representing odd-numbered districts are up for re-election. |
| How can you stay up to date on the Tennessee General Assembly? |
| If you are unsure who represents you in the General Assembly, you can find your member of the House and Senate using the Find My Legislator Tool. The House and Senate post schedules on the Tennessee General Assembly website, and proceedings, including committee meetings and floor sessions, are livestreamed at https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/livevideo/. The Tennessee State Capitol building and the Cordell Hull Building, which houses legislative offices and committee hearing rooms is open to the public. |
| [1] About the Tennessee Legislature. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.capitol.tn.gov/about/ |
| [2] Ibid |
| [3] Ibid |
| [4] Ibid |
| [5] Ibid |