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 5 Collections and/or Records:
Joint Special Committee on Constitutional Changes minutes and newspaper clippings
Series — Volume: Joint Special Committee on Constitutional Changes minutes and newspaper clippings, 1884
Identifier: C#00465
Abstract
Newspaper clippings and handwritten notes concerned with meetings of the Joint Special Committee Constitutional Changes. The committee concerned itself with issues concerning the relocation of the railroad tracks and terminal in the city of Providence. Accounts include dates and places of meetings, names of members of the committee, names of the people testifying, reporters optinion of the action taking place.
Dates:
March 6, 1884-April 11, 1884
Rate Estimate Committee meeting minutes
Series — Volume: Rate Estimate Committee meeting minutes, 1822-1829
Identifier: C#00553
Abstract
Function: To record the actions of the committee appointed by the General Assembly to take an estimate of all the rateable property in RI. Includes: Copies of the enabling legislation for the committee. Minutes include the date and place of meetings, names of members present, issues discussed and action taken by the committee. Includes estimates of the total value of rateable property in each town.
Dates:
June 1, 1822-January 26, 1829
Real Estate Committee meeting minutes
Series
Identifier: C#00552
Abstract
Function: To record the actions of the committee appointed to take on estimateof all the rateable property in RI. Includes: Enabling legislation for the committee. Minutes include: date and place of meeting, names of members present, action taken by the committee. Includes text of instruction to appraisers, names of appraisers in each county, amount of money to be paid each appraiser.
Dates:
May 1, 1855-January 16, 1856
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
Supreme Court of Probate meeting minutes
Series — Volume: 1-2. Supreme Court of Probate meeting minutes, 1755-1813
Identifier: C#00497
Abstract
Function: To record the actions of the General Assembly acting as the Supreme court of Probate. Includes: Minutes of the General Assembly acting as the Supreme court of Probate. Information includes: date and place of session, names of parties present, name of deceased, decisions of lower courts regarding the case, and the decision of the Supreme Court of Probate. In the same volume with letters from the Governor (C# 00499) and Orders of the Council of War (C#00498).
Dates:
June 1, 1755-October 31, 1813
- Rhode Island Department of State
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