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:
Legislative Council Research Report No. 17: Rhode Island Legislative Council Quahog Depuration, 1983
Item — Folder: 51 Quahog Depuration 1983
Identifier: 1636-572
Legislative Council Research Report No.14: Fiscal Notes, 1965
Item — Folder: 9 Legislative Council Research Report No.14: Fiscal Notes 1964
Identifier: 1636-713
Legislative Council Summary of the Proceedings at the Regular January Sessions, 2011-2012
Item — Folder: 1 folder
Identifier: 2013-27
Scope and Contents
From the Sub-Series:
Records received or reviewed during legislative sessions as submitted by members of the general assembly, federal, state or local officials, agencies & departments, civil, business or religious groups, private citizens or foreign governments. Includes proposed acts & resolutions, petition requests, memorials, annual reports of boards and commissions, official correspondence and communications received, committee appointments, transcripts of testimony, accounts & expenditures,...
Dates:
2011-2012
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
Local Acts, 2008
Digital Work
Identifier: c2f613c3-1459-4bb6-b5f8-d26e738c50e4
Dates:
2008
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2009
Digital Work
Identifier: e523a3a1-eb77-4d87-9b6c-a7e758f73062
Dates:
2009
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2010
Digital Work
Identifier: 9cb8ec46-027e-47a8-a8a5-9a81644ba483
Dates:
2010
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2011
Digital Work
Identifier: a9922ac4-5910-4b6c-bcd4-8df4c1cd60ed
Dates:
2011
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2012
Digital Work
Identifier: 4998cda4-b394-4695-92ce-0add6a2eff0f
Dates:
2012
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2013
Digital Work
Identifier: 2181a26b-5545-4488-9ad8-012c84574db1
Dates:
2013
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2014
Digital Work
Identifier: 15b9e88c-62b9-42a7-be52-8e3a6f1a4a2f
Dates:
2014
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2015
Digital Work
Identifier: c2002ba8-6f66-4a49-99fe-081bf5056fc8
Dates:
2015
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2016
Digital Work
Identifier: f4efde0e-000c-4aaa-9cfd-8ef54afbe694
Dates:
2016
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Local Acts, 2017
Digital Work
Identifier: d80ab63e-5356-4d29-802f-7abe193dbfb6
Dates:
2017
Found in:
Rhode Island State Archives
Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission records
Series — Folder: 32 Preliminary Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission to the General Assembly, at its January Session 1904
Identifier: 1636-812
Dates:
1904
Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission: Keep the Legacy Alive King Week second report
Item — Folder: 11. Rhode Island Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission: Keep the Legacy Alive King Week second report, 1987
Identifier: 1636-754
Meeting files, 1997-1999
Sub-Series
Identifier: 1999-05; 2001-09; 2007-02
Abstract
Consists of meeting files of the Joint Committee on Accounts and Claims that include copies of meeting notices, copies of individual resolutions and omnibus bills.
Dates:
1997-1999
Memorial of Professor Ridgway, Geologist and Mining engineer, in Relations to the Coal Field of Rhode Island
Item — Folder: 48 Memorial of Professor Ridgway, Geologist and Mining engineer, in Relations to the Coal Field of Rhode Island 1868
Identifier: 1636-828
Scope and Contents
Memorial of Professor Ridgway, Geologist and Mining Engineer, in Relations to the Coal Field of Rhode Island, Presented to the General Assembly at its January Session A.D. 1868 and Printed. Reprinted by Order of the General Assembly at its January Session, 1870
Dates:
1870
Men in RI Able to Bear Arms census
Series — Box: Men in RI Able to Bear Arms census, 1777
Identifier: C#00196
Abstract
Includes: name of town, name of man, age range, whether able to bear arms or not, whether a Quaker, Indian, or Black - and thus exempt. This material has been microfilmed.
Dates:
1777
Mobile Home Commission records
Series — Box: Mobile Home Commission records, 1983-1984
Identifier: C#00464
Abstract
Various records relating to the work of the General Assembly's Special Legislative Commission to study RI law relating to mobile homes and to propose legislation pertaining thereto. Includes minutes of public and private meetin9s of the commission, correspondence to and from the, commission, petitions to the commission. The bulk of the material consists of articles, policies, and laws of other states concerning mobile homes to be used as reference material by the commission.
Dates:
July 1, 1983-February 29, 1984
Mount Hope Toll Bridge Commission report
Item — Folder: 31 Report of the Mount Hope Toll Bridge Commission of the State of Rhode Island 1926
Identifier: 1636-874
Dates:
1926
New Berne Monument Commission of Providence Plantations: Report made to the General Assembly of Rhode Island, 1910
Item — Folder: 12 New Berne Monument Commission Report 1910
Identifier: 1636-615
Dates:
1910
New Court House Commission report
Item — Folder: 18. New Court House Commission report, 1924
Identifier: 1636-722
Dates:
1924
New York World's Fair Commission of Rhode Island records
Series — Box: New York World's Fair clippings, c. 1939
Identifier: 1636-1573
Abstract
Brochures / promotional material / newspaper accounts / RI exhibit plans, drawings
Dates:
1939
Newport County Court House Commission report
Item — Folder: 29. Newport County Court House Commission report, 1928
Identifier: 1636-872
Dates:
1928
Newport Riots claims for damages
Series — Volume: Newport Riots claims for damages, 1761-1773
Identifier: C#00493
Abstract
Claims brought before the General Assembly for damage to the property of Martin Howard, Augustus Johnston, and Dr. Thomas Moffatt during a riot in Newport in August of 1765. Included are
estimates of the damage done, testimony by varius parties as to the extent of the damage, and the decision of the General Assembly as to monetary damages.
Dates:
1761-1773
Office of Law Revision annual report, 2013
Item — Folder: Office of Law Revision annual report, 2013
Identifier: 2013-28
Dates:
2013
Omnibus Bills, 1995-1997
Sub-Series
Identifier: 1999-05; 2001-09; 2007-02
Abstract
Includes joint resolutions/omnibus legislation that consolidates all claims into one piece of legislation. Also includes copies of resolutions submitted by legislators on behalf of claimants/constituents (copies are sometimes in claimant files).
Dates:
1995-1997
Organization for State Administered Human Resource Programs in Rhode Island: Report to the General Assembly by the Special Legislative Commission to Study Social Services in the State
Item — Folder: 9 Organization for State Administered Human Resource Programs in Rhode Island: Report to the General Assembly by the Special Legislative Commission to Study Social Services in the State 1969
Identifier: 1636-852
- Rhode Island Department of State
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