Alaska State Senate

From The Galactic Republic
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Alaska State Senate
Сенат Штата Аляска
31st Legislature
 
Seal of the Alaska State Senate
 
Type
Type Upper house
Leadership
President of the Senate Pete Kelly (C)
Since 17 January 1721
President pro Tempore Debbie Lesko (C)
Since 17 January 1721
Majority Leader Kimberly Yee (C)
Since 17 January 1721
Minority Leader Katie Hobbs (P)
Since 17 January 1721
Majority Whip Gail Griffin (C)
Since 17 January 1721
Minority Whip Lupe Contreras (P)
Since 17 January 1721
Structure
Membership 120 Senators


Senate

30th Alaska State Senate
Political groups
Majority Caucus
14Conservatives
31Progressive[1]
Minority Caucus
35Progressives
Elections
Senate voting system FPTP (multi-member)
Senate last election 3 November 1720
Senate next election 8 November 1722
Hall of the Senate (Alaska State Capitol)
Website
link://senate.legis.arizona.gov

XXXX

Powers and legislative process[edit | edit source]

The Alaska State Senate shares the responsibility for making laws in the State of Alaska. Bills are developed by staff from bill requests and information from the bill’s sponsor. Bills undergo three or four readings during the legislative process. After the first reading, they are assigned to committee. Committees can amend measures or hold legislation and prevent it from reaching the Senate floor. Once a committee has weighed in on a piece of legislation, the bill returns to the floor for second hearing and a third hearing, which happens just before the floor vote on it.

Once passed by the Senate, a bill is sent to the Assembly for consideration. If approved, without amendment, it is sent to the Governor. If there is amendment, however, the Senate may either reconsider the bill with amendments or ask for the establishment of a conference committee to work out differences in the versions of the bill passed by each chamber. Once a piece of legislation approved by both the Senate and Assembly is forwarded to the Governor, it may either be signed or vetoed. If it is signed, it takes effect on the effective date of the legislation. If it is vetoed, lawmakers in a joint session may override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote (three-fourths majority is required if it is an appropriations bill).

The Alaska State Senate has the sole responsibility in the State’s legislative branch for confirming gubernatorial appointees to positions that require confirmation.

Committees[edit | edit source]

Current Senate committees include:

  • Education
  • Resources
  • State Affairs
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Transportation
  • Committee on Committees
  • Community & Regional Affairs
  • International Trade
  • Special Committee on In-State Energy
  • Special Committee on Taps Throughput
  • Labor & Commerce
  • Rules
  • Health & Social Services
  • Finance
  • Corrections
  • Judiciary (Court System)
  • Judiciary (Appointments)
  • Veteran, Military & Naval Affairs
  • Labor & Workforce Development
  • Governor
  • Health & Social Services
  • Environmental Conservation
  • Public Safety
  • Commerce, Community & Economic Development
  • Natural Resources
  • Administration
  • Law
  • Fish & Game
  • Education & Early Development
  • Revenue
  • Transportation & Public Facilities
  • University of Alaska
  • Legislature

Current composition[edit | edit source]

Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Progressive Conservative Total Vacant
End 29th Legislature 5 1 14 20 0
Begin 30th Legislature 5 1 14 20 0
6 April 1717 13 1
8 January 1718[2] 13 19 1
22 February 1718[3] 14 20 0
Latest voting share 25% 75%

Past partisan compositions can be found on Political party strength in Alaska.

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. Caucusing with Conservatives
  2. Republican Mike J. Dunleavy (District E) resigns to focus on his run for governor.
  3. Republican Mike Shower appointed and confirmed to succeed Dunleavy.