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 370 Collections and/or Records:
Resolutions, 2008
Digital Work
Identifier: 9f3f1eae-3ff3-45bd-937c-ff2f2f248ce9
Dates:
2008
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions, 2009
Digital Work
Identifier: 25273956-8786-41f9-b046-fc8689d37290
Dates:
2009
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions, 2010
Digital Work
Identifier: d9e91e68-30f9-4f34-89eb-7ebee4d9b9e9
Dates:
2010
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions, 2011
Digital Work
Identifier: f8266f99-835e-4311-979e-9a431a76d6df
Dates:
2011
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions, 2012
Digital Work
Identifier: eead8d36-1d13-43cd-9c39-539d08325fb4
Dates:
2012
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions, 2013
Digital Work
Identifier: 65a8ee26-ffcb-4068-aee1-f4aa4f8082e1
Dates:
2013
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions, 2014
Digital Work
Identifier: 3d9495aa-8e3b-41b7-93b3-4dc981eb5e59
Dates:
2014
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions, 2015
Digital Work
Identifier: 4cf19bfe-dab8-4a32-a1ab-3be2ff4e923f
Dates:
2015
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions, 2017
Digital Work
Identifier: b7566dc2-93ee-4e44-aa81-454ea29764c8
Dates:
2017
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Resolutions (Resolves), 1810-2019
Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Manuscript acts & resolutions passed by the General Assembly with session / committee stamps, signatures & annotations. More recent enactments may include attached committee roll call votes, previous drafts, substitutions made, fiscal notes, floor amendments or other supporting documentation.
Dates:
1810-2019
Revolutionary War Claims for Damages
Series — Box: Revolutionary War Claims for Damages, 1776-1781
Identifier: C#00252
Abstract
Lost or damaged property claimed resulting from Bristish occupation of Rhode Island, December 7, 1776 to October 25, 1779
Dates:
1776-1781
Revolutionary War Suspected Persons records
Series — Box: Revolutionary War Suspected Persons records, 1775-1783
Identifier: C#00251
Abstract
Records of persons suspected of being hostile to the united colonies or giving aid & intelligence to the enemy.
Dates:
1775-1783
Rhode Island Annual Report of the State Board of Registration in Dentistry made to the General Assembly at its January Session
Item — Folder: Annual Report of the State Board of Dentistry, 1902-1915, folder 21
Identifier: 1636-337
Rhode Island-Connecticut Boundary records
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#00582-C#00435-C#00585
Abstract
This series consists of records pertaining to the Rhode Island-Connecticut boundary dating back to the 1720s.
Dates:
1726-1943
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
Rhode Island-Massachusetts State Boundary records
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1994-464-C#00439-C#00444-C#00445
Abstract
A collection of documents spanning nearly 200 years concerned with the boundary between RI and MA. These documents were brought together into bound volumes (C#00439) arranged chronologically by the date of the documents. Type of documents vary greatly. Included are: orders of the King in Council, acts of the General Assemblies of RI and MA, documents from court cases concerning the boundary, Supreme Court Decisions, measurements taken along the boundary, expense accounts of surveyors,...
Dates:
1867-1954
Rhode Island Militia Officer Elections Approved
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: C#01143-C#0144
Abstract
Annual returns of State Militia & Chartered Military Companies to the Governor & General Assembly as mandated
Dates:
1788-1862
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
Rhode Island-Vicksburg Monument Commission report
Item — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1636-748-1636-813
Dates:
1903, 1909
Seekonk River Bridge Commission reports
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1636-207-1636-724
Dates:
1881, 1887
Senate Finance Committee System of Taxes (Other States)
Item — Volume: Senate Finance Committee System of Taxes (Other States), 1881
Identifier: C#00602
Abstract
Brief description of the systems of taxes in Maine, New Hamphire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
Dates:
1881
Session records, 1856-1990
Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Abstract
Records received or reviewed by the General Assembly during sessions engaged.
Dates:
1856-1990
Special Commission created to Study the Fire Safety Code report
Item — Folder: 21. Special Commission created to Study the Fire Safety Code report, 1974
Identifier: 1636-864
Dates:
1974
Special Commission of the State of Rhode Island Mechanics' Lien Law Commission report
Item — Folder: 10.Special Commission of the State of Rhode Island Mechanics' Lien Law Commission report, 1956
Identifier: 1636-1217
Special Commission on Public School Finance and Administration report
Item — Folder: 25. Special Commission on Public School Finance and Administration report, 1922
Identifier: 1636-868
Dates:
1920
Special Commission on Settlement with United States accounts
Item — Box: Special Commission on Settlement with United States accounts
Identifier: C#00580
Abstract
Function: To settle accounts with the U.S. for expenses incurred by RI in the prosecution of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Contents: Accounts of the state of RI with the United States for expenses associated with the prosecution of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Information includes; date of expenditure, name of payee, reason for payment, amount of payment, interest due. Includes claims for damages and the final settlement of the U.S. with RI. Accounts were prepared by...
Dates:
December 1, 1775-April 30, 1816
Special Commission to Appraise the Financial Operations of the State Government and the Matter of State-Local Financial Relations interim report
Item — Folder: 2. Special Fiscal Study Commission: Interim Report of the Special Commission to Appraise the Financial Operations of the State Government and the Matter of State-Local Financial Relations, 1957
Identifier: 1636-784
Special Commission to Study and Evaluate the Problem of Mental Illness in its Relation to Criminal Responsibility interim report
Item — Folder: 38. Special Commission to Study and Evaluate the Problem of Mental Illness in its Relation to Criminal Responsibility interim report, 1971
Identifier: 1636-739
Special Commission to Study and Review the Judicial System final report
Item — Folder: 28. Final Report of Special Commission to Study and Review the Judicial System, 1960 (1636-924)
Identifier: 1636-924
Dates:
1960
- Rhode Island Department of State
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