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State legislature
From Ballotpedia
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A state legislature is a generic term referring to the legislative body of any of the country's 50 states.
Composition
Every state (except Nebraska) has a bicameral legislature, meaning that the legislature consists of two separate legislative chambers (or houses). Nebraska has a unicameral, or one chamber, legislature. In all bicameral legislatures, the smaller chamber is called the Senate and is usually referred to as the upper house. (Nebraskan legislators are referred to as senators; when the legislature was reorganized, the lower house was abolished and the Senate renamed).[1]
The smaller chamber usually, but not always, has the exclusive power to confirm appointments made by the governor and to try articles of impeachment. (In a few states, a separate executive council, composed of members elected from large districts, performs the confirmation function.) Members of the smaller chamber represent more citizens and usually serve for longer terms (generally four years) than members of the larger chamber.[2]
In 41 states, the larger chamber, or the lower house, is called the House of Representatives. Five states designate the larger chamber the Assembly and three states call it the House of Delegates. Members of the larger chamber usually serve two-year terms. The larger chamber usually has the exclusive power to initiate taxing legislation and articles of impeachment.[2]
Elections
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Comparison of state upper houses
| Chamber article | Members | Party control | Term Length | Term Limit | Session start date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii State Senate | 25 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system | None | January 21, 2026 | $60,180/year + per diem |
| Idaho State Senate | 35 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $16,684/year + per diem |
| Indiana State Senate | 50 | Republican | 4 years | None | December 1, 2026 | $33,032.24/year + per diem |
| Kentucky State Senate | 38 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $203.28/calendar day for legislators elected before December 31, 2024. $221.94/calendar day for legislators elected after January 1, 2025. + per diem |
| Louisiana State Senate | 39 | Republican | 4 years | 3 terms (12 years) | March 9, 2026 | $16,800/year; plus an additional $6,000/year as an unvouchered expense + per diem |
| Maine State Senate | 35 | Democrat | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 7, 2026 | $25,000 for the first regular session. $20,000 for the second regular session. + per diem |
| Nebraska State Senate (Unicameral) | 49 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | January 7, 2026 | $12,000/year + per diem |
| Maryland State Senate | 47 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 14, 2026 | $55,526/year + per diem |
| New Jersey State Senate | 40 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system | None | January 13, 2026 | $49,000/year |
| New Mexico State Senate | 42 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 20, 2026 | $0/year + per diem |
| North Carolina State Senate | 50 | Republican | 2 years | None | April 21, 2026 | $13,951/year + per diem and expenses |
| New York State Senate | 63 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 7, 2026 | $142,000/year + per diem |
| North Dakota State Senate | 47 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | No regular legislative session | $592/month + per diem |
| South Dakota State Senate | 35 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 13, 2026 | $16,348/year + per diem |
| Tennessee State Senate | 33 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $33,060/year + per diem |
| Texas State Senate | 31 | Republican | 2-4-4 year system | None | No regular legislative session | $7,200/year + per diem |
| Utah State Senate | 29 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 20, 2026 | $301/legislative day + per diem |
| Washington State Senate | 49 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 9, 2017 | $60,191/year for senators. $61,997/year for representatives. + per diem |
| Wisconsin State Senate | 33 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $60,924/year + per diem |
| Wyoming State Senate | 31 | Republican | 4 years | None | February 9, 2026 | $150/day + per diem |
| Alabama State Senate | 35 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $62,212/year |
| Arizona State Senate | 30 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 12, 2026 | $24,000/year + per diem |
| Arkansas State Senate | 35 | Republican | 2-4-4 year system | 12 consecutive years; can return after a four-year break | April 8, 2026 | $45,244/year + per diem |
| California State Senate | 40 | Democrat | 4 years | 12 years[3][4] | January 5, 2026 | $132,703/year + per diem |
| Colorado State Senate | 35 | Democrat | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | January 14, 2026 | $47,561/year for legislators whose terms began in 2025. $43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. + per diem |
| Connecticut State Senate | 36 | Democrat | 2 years | None | February 4, 2026 | $43,600/year |
| Georgia State Senate | 56 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $17,342/year + per diem |
| Massachusetts State Senate | 40 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 7, 2026 | $82,044.31/year |
| Michigan State Senate | 38 | Democrat | 4 years | 12 combined years in the Legislature | January 14, 2026 | $71,685/year + expenses |
| Minnesota State Senate | 67 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system | None | February 17, 2026 | $51,750/year + per diem |
| Mississippi State Senate | 52 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $23,500/year + per diem |
| Missouri State Senate | 34 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | January 7, 2026 | $41,770/year + per diem |
| Montana State Senate | 50 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | No regular legislative session | $128.86/legislative day + per diem |
| New Hampshire State Senate | 24 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 7, 2026 | $100/year |
| Ohio State Senate | 33 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | January 5, 2026 | $72,343/year |
| Oregon State Senate | 30 | Democrat | 4 years | None | February 2, 2026 | $43,440/year + per diem |
| Pennsylvania State Senate | 50 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $110,015.54/year + per diem |
| Nevada State Senate | 21 | Democrat | 4 years | 3 terms (12 years) | No regular legislative session | $130/legislative day + per diem |
| Alaska State Senate | 20 | Split | 4 years | None | January 20, 2026 | $84,000/year + per diem |
| Delaware State Senate | 21 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system | None | January 13, 2026 | $45,291/year |
| Florida State Senate | 40 | Republican | 2-4-4 year system | 2 terms (8 years) | January 13, 2026 | $29,697/year + per diem |
| Illinois State Senate | 59 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system[5] | None | January 14, 2026 | $93,712/year + per diem |
| Kansas State Senate | 40 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $43,000/year + per diem |
| Oklahoma State Senate | 48 | Republican | 4 years | 12 year cumulative total, in either or both chambers | February 2, 2026 | $47,500/year + per diem |
| Rhode Island State Senate | 38 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $19,817/year |
| Vermont State Senate | 30 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $897.29/week during session + per diem |
| South Carolina State Senate | 46 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $10,400/year + per diem |
| Virginia State Senate | 40 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 14, 2026 | $18,000/year for senators. $17,640/year for delegates. + per diem |
| Iowa State Senate | 50 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $25,000/year + per diem |
| West Virginia State Senate | 34 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 14, 2026 | $23,000/year + per diem |
| Alabama State Senate elections |
Comparison of state lower houses
| Chamber article | Members | Party control | Term Length | Term Limit | Session start date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska House of Representatives | 40 | Split | 2 years | None | January 20, 2026 | $84,000/year + per diem |
| Arizona House of Representatives | 60 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 12, 2026 | $24,000/year + per diem |
| Alabama House of Representatives | 105 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $62,212/year |
| Arkansas House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | 12 consecutive years; can return after a four-year break | April 8, 2026 | $45,244/year + per diem |
| California State Assembly | 80 | Democrat | 2 years | 12 years[6][7] | January 5, 2026 | $132,703/year + per diem |
| Colorado House of Representatives | 65 | Democrat | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 14, 2026 | $47,561/year for legislators whose terms began in 2025. $43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. + per diem |
| Connecticut House of Representatives | 151 | Democrat | 2 years | None | February 4, 2026 | $43,600/year |
| Delaware House of Representatives | 41 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $45,291/year |
| Florida House of Representatives | 120 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 13, 2026 | $29,697/year + per diem |
| Georgia House of Representatives | 180 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $17,342/year + per diem |
| Hawaii House of Representatives | 51 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 21, 2026 | $60,180/year + per diem |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 70 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $16,684/year + per diem |
| Illinois House of Representatives | 118 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 14, 2026 | $93,712/year + per diem |
| Indiana House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | None | December 1, 2026 | $33,032.24/year + per diem |
| Iowa House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $25,000/year + per diem |
| Kansas House of Representatives | 125 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $43,000/year + per diem |
| Kentucky House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $203.28/calendar day for legislators elected before December 31, 2024. $221.94/calendar day for legislators elected after January 1, 2025. + per diem |
| Louisiana House of Representatives | 105 | Republican | 4 years | 3 terms (12 years) | March 9, 2026 | $16,800/year; plus an additional $6,000/year as an unvouchered expense + per diem |
| Maryland House of Delegates | 141 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 14, 2026 | $55,526/year + per diem |
| Massachusetts House of Representatives | 160 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 7, 2026 | $82,044.31/year |
| Michigan House of Representatives | 110 | Republican | 2 years | 12 combined years in the Legislature | January 14, 2026 | $71,685/year + expenses |
| Minnesota House of Representatives | 134 | Split | 2 years | None | February 17, 2026 | $51,750/year + per diem |
| Mississippi House of Representatives | 122 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $23,500/year + per diem |
| Montana House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | No regular legislative session | $128.86/legislative day + per diem |
| New Hampshire House of Representatives | 400 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 7, 2026 | $100/year |
| New Jersey General Assembly | 80 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $49,000/year |
| New Mexico House of Representatives | 70 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 20, 2026 | $0/year + per diem |
| New York State Assembly | 150 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 7, 2026 | $142,000/year + per diem |
| North Carolina House of Representatives | 120 | Republican | 2 years | None | April 21, 2026 | $13,951/year + per diem and expenses |
| North Dakota House of Representatives | 94 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | No regular legislative session | $592/month + per diem |
| Ohio House of Representatives | 99 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 5, 2026 | $72,343/year |
| Oklahoma House of Representatives | 101 | Republican | 2 years | 12 year cumulative total, in either or both chambers | February 2, 2026 | $47,500/year + per diem |
| Oregon House of Representatives | 60 | Democrat | 2 years | None | February 2, 2026 | $43,440/year + per diem |
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | 203 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $110,015.54/year + per diem |
| Rhode Island House of Representatives | 75 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $19,817/year |
| South Carolina House of Representatives | 124 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $10,400/year + per diem |
| South Dakota House of Representatives | 70 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 13, 2026 | $16,348/year + per diem |
| Texas House of Representatives | 150 | Republican | 2 years | None | No regular legislative session | $7,200/year + per diem |
| Utah House of Representatives | 75 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 20, 2026 | $301/legislative day + per diem |
| Vermont House of Representatives | 150 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 6, 2026 | $897.29/week during session + per diem |
| Virginia House of Delegates | 100 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 14, 2026 | $18,000/year for senators. $17,640/year for delegates. + per diem |
| West Virginia House of Delegates | 100 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 14, 2026 | $23,000/year + per diem |
| Wisconsin State Assembly | 99 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $60,924/year + per diem |
| Wyoming House of Representatives | 62 | Republican | 2 years | None | February 9, 2026 | $150/day + per diem |
| Washington House of Representatives | 98 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 12, 2026 | $60,191/year for senators. $61,997/year for representatives. + per diem |
| Maine House of Representatives | 151 | Democrat | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 7, 2026 | $25,000 for the first regular session. $20,000 for the second regular session. + per diem |
| Missouri House of Representatives | 163 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 7, 2026 | $41,770/year + per diem |
| Nevada State Assembly | 42 | Democrat | 2 years | 6 terms (12 years) | No regular legislative session | $130/legislative day + per diem |
| Tennessee House of Representatives | 99 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 13, 2026 | $33,060/year + per diem |
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Nebraska Legislature, "On Unicameralism," accessed September 24, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rock the Vote, "State Legislatures: An Explainer," accessed September 24, 2025
- ↑ According to the Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly, "Senators who were first elected to the State Legislature on or after the passage of Proposition 28 may serve 12 years in the Senate, or a combination of service in the Assembly and Senate as long as the combined terms do not exceed 12 years. Senators elected to the State Legislature prior to the passage of Proposition 28 are bound by two four-year terms in the State Senate and three two-year terms in the State Assembly established by the passage of Proposition 140, in 1990."
- ↑ California State Assembly Office of the Chief Clerk, "Elected Officials," accessed September 21, 2025
- ↑ Under the Illinois Constitution of 1970, senators are divided into three groups, each group having a two-year term at a different part of the decade between censuses, with the rest of the decade being taken up by two four-year terms. Depending on the election year, roughly ⅓, ⅔, or all of the senate seats may have terms ending.
- ↑ According to the Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly, "Assembly Members who were first elected to the State Legislature on or after the passage of Proposition 28 may serve 12 years in the Assembly, or a combination of service in the Assembly and Senate as long as the combined terms do not exceed 12 years. However, Members elected to the State Assembly prior to the passage of Proposition 28 may serve a maximum of three two-year terms established by the passage of Proposition 140, in 1990."
- ↑ California State Assembly Office of the Chief Clerk, "Elected Officials," accessed September 21, 2025
