Rhode Island. General Assembly (1643-)
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
Found in 340 Collections and/or Records:
Report of the Joint Select Committee to Consider Drug Addiction in Rhode Island, 1926
Report of the Joint Special Committee on Erection of Monument at Andersonville, Ga., 1903
Report of the Joint Special Committee on Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, made to the General Assembly at its January Session, 1896, 1896
Report of the Joint Special Committee on State Sanatorium for Consumptives to the General Assembly, 1904
Report of the Joint Special Committee on State Sanatorium for Consumptives to the General Assembly, 1901
Report of the Joint Special Committee on the State Asylum for the Insane Made to the General Assembly at its January Session, 1868
Report of the Select Committee On Petitions relating to the Abolition of Slavery, 1839
Report of the Select House Committee on Airport Development, 1993
Report of the Special Committee on a Site for a New State House made to the General Assembly at the January Session
Report of the Special Committee on Woman Suffrage, Etc. Made to the General Assembly at its January Session A.D., 1874
Report Upon Public Schools and Education in Rhode Island, 1854
Reports to the General Assembly, 1825-1890
Reports to the General Assembly
Listing of reports to the General Assembly and miscellaneous papers that were housed in Room 333 and 314 of the State House when the State Archives were housed in those rooms.
Resolutions, 2008
Resolutions, 2009
Resolutions, 2010
Resolutions, 2011
Resolutions, 2012
Resolutions, 2013
Resolutions, 2014
Resolutions, 2015
Resolutions, 2017
Resolutions (Resolves), 1810-2022
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.
Revolutionary War Claims for Damages
Lost or damaged property claimed resulting from Bristish occupation of Rhode Island, December 7, 1776 to October 25, 1779
Revolutionary War Suspected Persons records
Records of persons suspected of being hostile to the united colonies or giving aid & intelligence to the enemy.
Rhode Island Annual Report of the State Board of Registration in Dentistry made to the General Assembly at its January Session
Rhode Island-Connecticut Boundary records
This series consists of records pertaining to the Rhode Island-Connecticut boundary dating back to the 1720s.
Rhode Island Legislative Council annual reports, 1959-1965
Rhode Island Legislative Council reports and publications
Rhode Island-Massachusetts State Boundary records
- Rhode Island Department of State
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