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 8 Collections and/or Records:
Boundary Commission
Item
Identifier: F-101
Dates:
1878
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
/
Boundary Commission
Bristol Warren boundary map, 1878
Item
Identifier: F-101
Abstract
Plat of boundary line between the towns of Warren and Bristol, from the Warren River to the Towesett River, as fixed by the Commission established by the General Assembly. Filed in the office of the Secretary of State (Joshua Addeman), October 3, 1878:
Dates:
1878
Bristol Warren boundary map. 1878
Digital Work
Identifier: d51849f8-8d7a-4776-8a03-87d79e4d6e21
Dates:
1878
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
General Assembly Reapportionment (and Redistricting) Commission records
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2002-54-C#01858
Abstract
The Rhode Island General Assembly Reapportionment and Redistricting records consist of the records of the General Assembly’s Reapportionment Commission (2001) including official maps, transcripts, videocassettes of Commission proceedings and the records of Elmer E. Cornwall (House Parliamentarian (1977-2002) and was the House of Representatives' chief expert on Constitutional Conventions; Reapportionment and Municipal Home Rule Charters.
Dates:
1883-2002; Majority of material found within 1990-2002
Rhode Island-New York Boundary records
Series — Folder: 1
Identifier: 1636-1722
Scope and Contents
This record consists of a single map published by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey for the Rhode Island and Connecticut Border Commissioners, and dated January 1941.
Dates:
1941
Special Legislative Commission to Study the Howard Complex records
Series — Folder: 3-5. Special Legislative Commission to Study the Howard Complex records, 1970-1972
Identifier: 2012-44.1
Abstract
Special Legislative Commission to Study the Howard Complex records of the chief of the Division of Planning (Statewide Planning) Daniel Varin.
Dates:
1970-1972
Town of Lincoln map, 1874
Item
Identifier: F-19
Abstract
Map of a portion of the town of Lincoln copied from Beer’s Atlas of Rhode Island by I.C. Burgess, October, 1874 for the Joint Special Committee setting off part of the town. Scale 880’ to 1” (Copy Available): 26 3/4” X 52 1/4”
Dates:
1874
- Rhode Island Department of State
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