Rhode Island. General Assembly (1643-)
Organization
Dates
- Existence: 1643-
Historical Note
The first governments established in Rhode Island began as written agreements between the original settlers of Providence (1636), Portsmouth (1638) Newport (1639). While such agreements were suitable early on a more organized, centralized form of government became necessary as the colony expanded. The origins of current General Assembly date from 1643, when the first Parliamentary Charter or Patent confirming uniting the three original towns under the title “the Incorporation of Providence Plantations in the Narragansett Bay in New England” was obtained from England. On or about that year a fourth settlement at Warwick was established. Convening for the first time as a single body at Portsmouth in May 1647, representatives of the several towns formulated a set rules orders for the colony including an annual meeting of a “Courte of Election”, the establishment of the office of President of the Province and the adoption of a code of laws. However this early iteration of a centralized colonial government functioned more like a town meeting than a cohesive legislative body as most of the power was still vested with the towns. Soon other factors including territorial disputes by internal external forces as well as the restoration of the Stuart dynasty in England in 1660 brought into doubt the validity of the 1643 Patent. By 1663, a second Royal Charter was obtained from King Charles II, which firmly established the "English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, in America." Under the Charter the title of “General Assembly” came into being which initially was organized as a unicameral body. The document provided for the election of Deputies and Assistants (former titles of current Representatives and Senators) who were chosen from among the Freeman of the colony with each having one vote to act as direct representatives of their towns. The Charter also provided for a more central governmental hierarchy with the establishment of offices of Governor, Deputy Governor and ten Assistants to manage and lead the colony. Elections were held of the first Wednesday in May and last Wednesday in October annually. In 1696 the legislature became a bicameral body with the creation of the House of Deputies or Lower House House of Magistrates or Upper House. The position of Speaker of the House of Deputies was also established at that time.
Currently, the Rhode Island legislature is still a bicameral body constituting a seventy – five (75) member House of Representatives and a thirty – eight (38) member Senate which convenes on the first Tuesday in January annually. Leadership consists of a Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate who are chosen from among their membership. The General Assembly is responsible for all proposed legislation as well as the enactment of laws both of a public and private nature. The assembly also confirms judicial nominations and the appointment of heads of various State departments boards and has general subpoena power in civil cases. Other responsibilities include the office of the Auditor General which provides independent evaluations of government programs, Legislative Council which is charged with obtaining information on the operation of state government and of making studies concerning legislative issue and the office of Law Revision which is responsible for consolidating, compiling, editing, printing binding the public laws, acts resolutions. There are currently twelve (12) permanent committees established within the House of Representatives including: Constituent Services, Corporations, Environment Natural Resources, Finance, Health, Education Welfare, Judiciary, Labor, Municipal Government, Rules, Separation of Powers Veteran Affairs. Senate committees number seven (7) and include Constitutional Regulatory Issues, Commerce, Education, Environment Agriculture, Finance, Government Oversight Health Human Services. Permanent joint committees number eleven (11) and include Accounts Claims, Water Resources, Highway Safety, Environment Energy, Naming New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices Other State Constructions, Retirement, Small Business, Strategic Development, Veterans’ Affairs, Economic Development Legislative Services.
Related Resources:
The State of Rhode Island General Assembly website
General Assembly Meetings Agendas
Currently, the Rhode Island legislature is still a bicameral body constituting a seventy – five (75) member House of Representatives and a thirty – eight (38) member Senate which convenes on the first Tuesday in January annually. Leadership consists of a Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate who are chosen from among their membership. The General Assembly is responsible for all proposed legislation as well as the enactment of laws both of a public and private nature. The assembly also confirms judicial nominations and the appointment of heads of various State departments boards and has general subpoena power in civil cases. Other responsibilities include the office of the Auditor General which provides independent evaluations of government programs, Legislative Council which is charged with obtaining information on the operation of state government and of making studies concerning legislative issue and the office of Law Revision which is responsible for consolidating, compiling, editing, printing binding the public laws, acts resolutions. There are currently twelve (12) permanent committees established within the House of Representatives including: Constituent Services, Corporations, Environment Natural Resources, Finance, Health, Education Welfare, Judiciary, Labor, Municipal Government, Rules, Separation of Powers Veteran Affairs. Senate committees number seven (7) and include Constitutional Regulatory Issues, Commerce, Education, Environment Agriculture, Finance, Government Oversight Health Human Services. Permanent joint committees number eleven (11) and include Accounts Claims, Water Resources, Highway Safety, Environment Energy, Naming New Buildings, Bridges, Edifices Other State Constructions, Retirement, Small Business, Strategic Development, Veterans’ Affairs, Economic Development Legislative Services.
Related Resources:
The State of Rhode Island General Assembly website
General Assembly Meetings Agendas
Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:
Adult Education Commission annual report
Item — Folder: Adult Education Commission Annual Report, folder 29
Identifier: 1636-345
Dates:
1980
Children's Code Commission annual report
Item — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1636-227-1636-905
Dates:
1992
Commission on Uniform State Laws annual report
Series — Folder: 27 Rhode Island Commission on Uniform State Laws annual report 1959, 1970
Identifier: 1636-731
Dates:
1959, 1970
Fair Employment Practices Commission annual report
Item — Folder: Annual Report of the Fair Employment Practices Commission, folder 23
Identifier: 1636-339
Scope and Contents
Rhode Island Annual Report (inculding July-December 1949) of the Fair Employment Practices Commission to the Governors and the honorable Members of the General Assembly in their: 1951 and 1952 Sessions
Dates:
1950-1951
First and Third Annual Report of the Rhode Island State Board of Registration and Examination of Optometry made to the General Assembly
Item — Folder: 5. State Board of Registration and Examination of Optometry annual reports, 1910, 1912 (1636-1021)
Identifier: 1636-1021
First Annual Report of the State Board of Registration in Embalming made to the General Assembly at its January Session
Item — Folder: First Annual Report of the State Board of Registration in Embalming 1909, folder 18
Identifier: 1636-334
License commissioners of the city of Central Falls annual reports
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1636-132-1636-133-1636-134-1636-135
Dates:
1901-1903, 1905-1909
Office of Law Revision annual report, 2013
Item — Folder: Office of Law Revision annual report, 2013
Identifier: 2013-28
Dates:
2013
Permanent Oversight Commission For the Department of Children, Youth and Families annual report
Item — Folder: 21. Permanent Oversight Commission For the Department of Children, Youth and Families annual report, 1993
Identifier: 1636-1587
Report of the Clerk of the Court of Magistrates to the General Assembly at their January Session, 1850
Item
Identifier: C#00495
Dates:
1850
Rhode Island Legislative Council annual reports, 1959-1965
Sub-Series — Folder: 36 RI Legislative Council Annual Reports 1959-1965
Identifier: 1636-666
Dates:
1959-1965
Rhode Island Legislative Council reports and publications
Series
Identifier: 01 01.47
Dates:
1959-1983
