Connecticut General Assembly
General information
Type:	State legislature
Term limits:	None
Session start:	February 4, 2026
Website:	Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:	Susan Bysiewicz (D)
House Speaker:	Matthew Ritter (D)
Majority Leader:	Senate:Bob Duff (D) House:Jason Rojas (D)
Minority Leader:	Senate:Stephen Harding Jr. (R) House:Vincent Candelora (R)
Structure
Members:	36 (Senate), 151 (House)
Length of term:	2 years (Senate),2 years (House)
Authority:	Art III, Section 1, Connecticut Constitution
Salary:	$43,600/year
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Redistricting:	Connecticut Legislature has control with optional commission

TheConnecticut State Legislature is known as theConnecticut General Assembly (orCGA). It is thestate legislature ofConnecticut and is abicameral body composed of the 151-member lowerConnecticut House of Representatives and the 36-member upperConnecticut State Senate. It meets in the state capital, Hartford.

During even-numbered years, the General Assembly is in session from February to May. In odd-numbered years, when the state budget is completed, session lasts from January to June. The governor has the right to call for a special session after the end of the regular session, while the General Assembly can call for a veto session after the close in order to override gubernatorial vetoes.

During the first half of session, the House and Senate typically meet on Wednesdays only, though by the end of the session, they meet daily due to increased workload and deadlines.

Connecticut has a Democratictrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also:Connecticut House of Representatives,Connecticut State Senate,Connecticut Governor

Senate

The Connecticut State Senate is the upper house of the Connecticut General Assembly, the legislature of the state of Connecticut. The state Senate comprises 36 members.

As of the 2020 Census, Connecticut state senators represented an average of100,231 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented99,490 residents.

Senators are elected to two-year terms withoutterm limits. The Connecticut State Senate is one of 14 state legislative upper houses whose members serve two-year terms as opposed to four-year terms.

As in other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Senate is reserved with special functions such as confirming or rejecting gubernatorial appointments to the state's executive departments, the state cabinet, commissions and boards. Unlike a majority of U.S. state legislatures, both the Connecticut House of Representatives and the State Senate vote on the composition to the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Leadership of the Senate

The lieutenant governor of Connecticut serves as the president of the Senate, but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the president pro tempore presides over the Senate. The president pro tempore is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the entire Senate through a Senate Resolution. The president pro tempore is the chief leadership position in the Senate. The Senate majority and minority leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.

Partisan composition

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Connecticut State Senate in 1996. In2024, they won a 25-11 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Connecticut Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Before 1992

There were eight elections between 1930 and 2022 where Republicans won control of the state Senate.

House of Representatives

The Connecticut House of Representatives is thelower house in the Connecticut General Assembly, the legislature of the state of Connecticut. The House is composed of 151 members representing an equal amount of districts.

As of the 2020 Census, Connecticut state representatives represented an average of23,896 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented23,719 residents.

Representatives are elected to two-year terms with noterm limits.

Leadership of the House

The speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives. The speaker is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the full House through the passage of a House resolution. In addition to presiding over the body, the speaker is also its the chief leadership position, and controls the flow of legislation and committee assignments. Other House leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses relative to their party's strength in the chamber.

Partisan composition

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Democrats won control of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1986. In2024, they won a 102-49 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Connecticut House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Before 1992

Republicans controlled the House following most elections during the first half of the 20th century, while Democrats controlled the chamber following most elections during the latter half of the 20th century.

Elections

2026

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2026 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for theConnecticut State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 11, 2026. The filing deadline isJune 9, 2026.

Elections for theConnecticut House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 11, 2026. The filing deadline isJune 9, 2026.

2024

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2024 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for theConnecticut State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 13, 2024. The filing deadline wasJune 11, 2024.

Elections for theConnecticut House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 13, 2024. The filing deadline wasJune 11, 2024.

2022

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2022 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for theConnecticut State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 9, 2022. The filing deadline was June 7, 2022.

Elections for theConnecticut House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 9, 2022. The filing deadline was June 7, 2022.

2020

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2020 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofConnecticut State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was June 11, 2020.

Elections for the office ofConnecticut House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was June 11, 2020.

2018

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2018 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theConnecticut State Senate took place in 2018. Aclosed primary election took place on August 14, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasJune 12, 2018.

Elections for theConnecticut House of Representatives took place in 2018. Aclosed primary election took place on August 14, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasJune 12, 2018.

2016

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2016 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theConnecticut State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

Elections for theConnecticut House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.

2014

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2014 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for theConnecticut State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 12, 2014, and a general election onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 10, 2014.

Elections for theConnecticut House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 12, 2014, and a general election onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 10, 2014.

2012

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2012 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 14, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was June 12, 2012.

Elections for the office of Connecticut House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was August 14, 2012.

2010

See also:Connecticut State Senate elections, 2010 andConnecticut House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 10, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was June 8, 2010, for candidates of either theRepublican orDemocratic parties and August 4, 2010, for independents.

Elections for the office of Connecticut House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 10, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was June 8, 2010, for candidates of either the Republican or Democratic parties and August 4, 2010, for independents.

Sessions

Article III of the Connecticut Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 2 of Article III states that, in odd-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene its regular session on the Wednesday after the first Monday in January. Section 2 requires regular sessions in odd-numbered years to adjourn by the Wednesday after the first Monday in June.

The Constitution does not establish when the Legislature is supposed to meet in even-numbered years, so these dates are established by law. In even-numbered years, the Legislature convenes on the Wednesday following the first Monday in February, pending the decision of the Legislature, and it must adjourn by the Wednesday after the first Monday in May.^[1][2]

2025

See also:2025 Connecticut legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2025, and adjourn on June 4, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Connecticut legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 7, 2024, and adjourn on May 8, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Connecticut legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2023, and adjourn on June 7, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Connecticut legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 9, 2022, and adjourn on May 4, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Connecticut legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2021, and adjourn on June 9, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Connecticut legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 5, 2020, and adjourn on May 6, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. TheConnecticut State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 12, 2020. The suspension was originally scheduled to lift at the end of March. It was then extended to April 13, 2020. It was extended again to April 23, 2020. On April 21, 2020, legislative leaders announced that the legislature would not reconvene in advance of its constitutional adjournment on May 6, 2020. The legislature convened a special session on July 21, 2020. The special session adjourned on July 27, 2020.[3][4][5][6] 2019 See also:2019 Connecticut legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through June 5, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Connecticut legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from February 7, 2018, through May 9, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 4, 2017, through June 7, 2017. The legislature held a veto session on July 24, 2017. The legislature held its first special session on July 31, 2017. The legislature held its second special session from September 14 to September 16. The legislature held another special session on October 3. State lawmakers held their fourth special session from October 25 to October 26. The legislature met again in special session from November 14 to November 15. Click [show] to read about Connecticut's 2017 budget conflict Background Gov.Dan Malloy (D) and members of theConnecticut General Assembly failed to reach a budget agreement during the 2017 legislative session, which adjourned on June 7.[7] According toThe Connecticut Mirror, House and Senate Democrats were unable to agree on a budget plan ahead of the June 30 deadline, and there was disagreement between the parties. Key issues included tax increases, funding for social programs, and labor relations with the state employees union.[8] On June 30, 2017, Malloy signed an executive order authorizing reduced amounts of government funding in the absence of a budget for fiscal year 2018. This order allowed Connecticut to avoid a shutdown of government services on July 1, the first day of the 2018 fiscal year. Funding for road repairs, state aid for school districts, and nonprofit organizations were reduced under Malloy's executive order.[9] On August 18, 2017, Malloy revised his executive order to change the amounts of the Education Cost Sharing payments that go to school districts. Under his revisions, the 30 lowest-performing school districts saw no change to their cost-sharing payments, 54 districts received reduced payments, and 85 districts received no state payment. The order went into effect in October because no budget was approved.[10][11] Malloy pushed for lawmakers to call a special session before June 30 and pass a 90-day temporary budget. Speaker of the HouseJoe Aresimowicz (D) declined the idea, saying that he and the House Democratic Caucus wanted to first see an outline of a two-year budget before agreeing to a temporary budget.[8] Leaders in theConnecticut State Senate, including President Pro TemporeMartin Looney (D), were supportive of a 90-day temporary budget.[12] The budget was not passed due to disagreements between Malloy and the General Assembly, disagreements among members of the Democratic caucus, and disagreements between Democratic and Republican legislators.[13] According toThe Hartford Courant, House Democrats were divided between a faction trying to prevent cuts to social services and a faction trying to prevent tax increases.[14] When talking about the divisions within the Democratic caucus, State Rep.Vincent Candelora (R) said, "I think everybody in this building realizes a budget cannot pass without Republican support."[15] As of July 6, 2017, Connecticut faced a $5.1 billion budget deficit during the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years. The spending provisions in Malloy's executive order resulted in a $2.1 billion spending reduction during the 2018 fiscal year.[7] On July 31, the General Assembly passed a labor concessions deal negotiated with state employees unions that was designed to save $1.57 billion in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. With the concessions deal approved, the budget deficit decreased from $5.1 billion to $3.5 billion.[16] Timeline of key events On October 31, Gov. Malloy signed most of the budget that passed on October 26. He vetoed a portion of it dealing with the state's hospital tax, also called a provider fee. The tax was increased from six percent to eight percent in the budget, although the hospitals would have received millions in Medicaid funding from the federal government due to the tax increase. According to Malloy, the wording of the hospital tax contained issues and would have cost the state $1 billion. Malloy said, "I strongly urge my colleagues in the General Assembly to convene as soon as possible to pass a legal alternative to the illegal hospital tax and troublesome supplemental payment and rate language presented in the bill."[17] With Malloy's signature, Connecticut ended a 123-day period without a budget. This was the longest period of the time the state had ever went without a budget. The second-longest period was in 1991 when legislators debated whether to create a state income tax.[17] On November 15, the Connecticut House voted 123-12 to approve a bill that proponents said fixed flaws in the state budget signed on October 31, including a provision dealing with the state's hospital tax. The Connecticut Senate voted 34-0 on November 14 to pass the bill. Gov. Malloy said he would sign the bill into law. Opponents of the budget fix said that it would require towns to assume $8.5 million in costs from a renters’ rebate program and that the costs would not be equitably distributed based on a community's income level.[18][19] On October 26 at around 2:00 AM ET, the Connecticut State Senate passed a budget deal by a 33-3 vote.[20] Later that day, the Connecticut House passed the budget by a 126-23 vote. Both margins were sufficient to override a gubernatorial veto.[21] After the budget passed, Kelly Donnelly, Gov. Malloy's communications director, said that the budget contained an error related to the tax on hospitals that would cost the state $1 billion. Legislative leaders in the state House said that the chamber would reconvene the following week if an issue in the budget needed to be addressed.[22] Here are some of the details of the budget that was agreed to on October 26:[20] Revenue: The budget deal made no changes to Connecticut’s sales or income taxes. It increased the cigarette tax, put a $10 surcharge on motor vehicle registrations, and required a $0.25 fee for Uber and Lyft rides. It also required teachers to contribute one percentage point more toward their pensions and increased the hospital provider fee from six percent to eight percent (although the tax the hospitals pay was reimbursed by the federal government in Medicaid funding). Spending: The budget included up to $40 million to help the city of Hartford avoid bankruptcy. It also restored most of the education and municipal funding that was reduced by the executive order Gov. Malloy used to fund government programs during the stalemate. For the 2018 fiscal year, 136 of 169 municipalities had their education funding decreased by five percent. For the 2019 fiscal year, 88 municipalities had the same amount or less education funding than they did in 2017, while 81 had an increase in funding compared to 2017. The budget included $65 million in cuts per year for the University of Connecticut and it scaled back several tax credits, including the property tax credit and the earned income tax credit. Moreover, it put caps on spending and borrowing by the state and required the state legislature to vote on all state employee union contracts. On October 23, Republican and Democratic leaders announced that they had agreed to the specifics of a budget deal. Senate Republican Minority LeaderLeonard Fasano said the deal included some of his party’s priorities such as a cap on spending and borrowing and the establishment of an independent panel to recommend changes to the state’s pension program. The deal also increased the taxes on cigarettes and decreased taxes for Social Security and pension recipients.[23] On October 18, Republican and Democratic legislative leaders announced that they had reached an agreement on the major provisions of a $40 billion two-year budget plan. The deal was negotiated without input from Gov. Malloy.[24] On October 13, Standard & Poor's notified Connecticut that it was changing its outlook for the state's general obligation bonds from stable to negative.[25] On October 16, Moody's Investor Service announced that it was considering credit downgrades for 26 Connecticut municipalities and three regional school districts, all of which saw funding reductions as a result of the budget stalemate. Twenty-five other municipalities and three other regional school districts were assigned negative outlooks.[26][27] On October 3, the Connecticut House chose not to vote on a veto override of the Republican budget plan that passed on September 16.[28] On October 1, education payments to cities and towns were reduced or eliminated under an executive order signed by Gov. Malloy. The funding cuts went into effect because a budget had not been agreed to.[29][30] On October 11, theConnecticut Education Association—the state’s largest teachers’ union—filed a lawsuit claiming that education cuts would prevent schools from providing an adequate education for students. Connecticut’s school funding had previously been challenged in the courts for being too low.[31][32] On September 28, Gov. Malloy vetoed the Republican budget plan that passed on September 16. Senate Republican Minority Leader Fasano called for the General Assembly to override the veto. A veto override requires 101 votes in the state House and 24 votes in the state Senate.[33] On September 16, the Connecticut General Assembly approved a budget plan drawn up by Republican legislators. The budget included $40.7 billion in spending over the FY2018-2019 biennium. Gov. Malloy said he would veto the budget because of its spending reductions for higher education and other state programs. The budget also included changes to relations with state employees labor unions.[34] The budget passed due to defections from Democrats in both chambers who joined with the Republican minority. Their defections came after Malloy and Democratic legislators had apparently reached an agreement on September 14. Their budget plan included new taxes on cell phone bills, vacation homes, hospitals, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and hotel rooms.[35] The Democratic legislators who voted for the Republican plan said the reason they defected was because of tax increases in the Democratic plan. The Connecticut House passed the budget on September 16 at around 3:00 AM EST by a 77-73 vote. Democratic Reps.Pat Boyd,Lonnie Reed,Daniel S. Rovero,John Hampton, andKim Rose defected from their party.[36] The Connecticut Senate passed the budget on September 15 by a 21-18 vote. Democratic Sens.Paul Doyle,Gayle Slossberg, andJoan Hartley defected from their party. Their defections were unexpected and were not announced prior to a floor speech by Doyle where he said he would vote for the Republican plan.[37] Labor relations On July 31, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a labor concessions deal that was negotiated with state employees unions. The concessions deal was designed to save $1.57 billion in the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years. The Connecticut State Senate passed the deal on July 31. The chamber vote split 18-18 with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans opposed. Lieutenant Gov.Nancy Wyman (D) cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the deal.[38] The Connecticut House passed the deal on July 24 by a 78-72 vote, with all Republicans and DemocratJohn Hampton opposed.[39] The concessions package was announced in June 2017 by Gov. Malloy and state employee union leaders. It amended the existing labor agreement by extending its end date from 2022 to 2027 and achieving $1.57 billion in savings in the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years. The provisions in the agreement that increased savings included a three-year wage freeze for some state employees and increased contributions for health and pension benefits.[8] On July 18, unions announced that rank-and-file members approved the concessions package by a margin of 83 percent to 17 percent. Concessions packages can be approved by the General Assembly, although it is not required for them to take effect. If a concessions deal is not approved by the General Assembly, it goes into effect the following year.[40][41][42] According toThe Hartford Courant, Republican legislators proposed a plan with $2 billion in savings for the state in the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years.[40] Republican leaders expressed interest in changes to collective bargaining and other ways that state employees were compensated. House Republican minority leaderThemis Klarides said that the state should end collective bargaining and instead allow the General Assembly to craft wages and benefits for state employees.[43] Senate Republican minority leaderLeonard Fasano said that the state would save money by changing aspects of collective bargaining, eliminating two state holidays, and prohibiting meal and clothing allowances.[44] Compensation levels for members of state employee labor unions in Connecticut, including wages, pensions, and health benefits, were reached through collective bargaining. As of January 2017, about two-thirds of government workers in Connecticut, including teachers, professors, and prison guards, belonged to a labor union.[45] 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from February 3 through May 4. The legislature held a special session from May 12-13 to pass the state budget. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 7 through June 3. The legislature held a two-day special session from June 29 to June 30. The legislature held a one-day special session on December 8. Major issues in 2015 Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included a projected state budget deficit, transportation infrastructure, job expansion, lowering electricity costs for consumers, and domestic violence restraining orders.[46] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from February 5 to May 7. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the biennial state budget, gun control, mental health, police training, and creating the Office of Early Childhood.[47] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 9 to June 5. Major issues in 2013 Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included restrictions on gun ownership, an increase to the minimum wage, labels on genetically modified foods, and the ability for illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses.[48] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from February 8 to May 9. 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 5 through June 8.Connecticut GovernorDan Malloy (D) convened both houses in a special session to address budget cuts on June 30.[49] Session highlights Tax increases During the 2011 legislative session, the legislature passed $1.5 billion worth of tax increases strongly pushed byGovernorDan Malloy (D) to help close a budget gap estimated at $3.3 billion. Individual and corporate income tax rates rose, along with inheritance, alcohol, cigarette, and gasoline levies. Additionally, the retail sales tax rate rose from 6% to 6.35%. TheRepublican legislative minority strongly criticized Malloy andDemocratic leaders, calling their plan a "massive and unnecessary tax hike."[50] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from February 3rd to May 5th.

Role in state budget

See also:Connecticut state budget and finances

Connecticuton

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[51]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inJuly.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor inSeptember.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inFebruary.
4. The legislature adopts a budget inMay or June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins on July 1.

Connecticut is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[51][52]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget. Likewise, the legislature must adopt a balanced budget.^[51]

Membership

Members of the General Assembly, regardless of chamber, serve two-year terms; there are noterm limits imposed on them.

As with most New England state legislatures, the Connecticut General Assembly is traditionally a moderate body. Most urban and suburban areas are represented by Democrats, while many rural or more affluent areas have Republican representation. Among state legislatures, the Connecticut General Assembly is known for its good working and personal relationships between the two parties.

Political scientists consider the General Assembly to be a part-time, professionally-run state legislature. Most legislators have jobs aside from their political positions, and aside from leadership, few are present at the Capitol Monday through Friday. Legislators with more time to offer are generally placed on "A" committees, which meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while others are assigned to "B" committees that meet only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All legislators are expected to be present for "session," or days when their chambers are in session, regardless of committee assignments.

Although it is a part-time body, the legislature is known for having some of the best support services among state legislatures, including its large staff, Legislative Commissioners' Office (which helps with the writing of bills), Office of Legislative Research, Office of Fiscal Analysis, and other services available.

Legislation is introduced before each chamber by the majority or minority leader. Traditionally, the majority and minority leaders represent urban or large suburban areas, just as the Speaker of the House is usually from a city.

Legislators

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

When sworn in

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Connecticut legislators assume office the Wednesday following the first Monday of January after their election.^[54]

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Connecticut

In Connecticut, thestate legislature is primarily responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Maps must be approved by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. If the state legislature is unable to approve new maps, a backup commission is convened to draw congressional and state legislative district boundaries. The commission consists of nine members. The four legislative leaders (i.e., the majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the legislature) appoint two members each. The ninth member is selected by the eight previously selected commissioners.^[55][56]

TheConnecticut Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. In addition, state House districts must "not divide towns except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements."^[57]

2020 census

See also:Redistricting in Connecticut after the 2020 census

The Connecticut Reapportionment Commission voted 8-0 in favor of new maps for the state's 151 House districts and 36 Senate districts on November 18 and November 23, 2021, respectively.^[58][59] The commission, made up of four Democratic lawmakers, four Republican lawmakers, and a ninth member selected by the commissioners, took over the redistricting process after the previous Reapportionment Committee failed to meet its Sept. 15 deadline to select maps and win two-thirds approval from both chambers of theConnecticut General Assembly.^[60] Census data was not delivered until Sept. 16. Unlike the committee, maps prepared by the Reapportionment Commission did not need to win approval from the General Assembly.^[61] This map took effect for Connecticut's 2022 legislative elections.

District maps

State Senate

State House

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Connecticut are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Authority:Article IV, Section 15 of theConnecticut Constitution.

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

See also:Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States andBallotpedia:Who Runs the States, Connecticut

Partisan breakdown of the Connecticut legislature from 1992-2013

Connecticut State Senate:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Connecticut State Senate for 20 years while the Republicans were the majority for two years. The Connecticut State Senate is 1 of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. During the last 17 years of the study, the Connecticut senate was dominated by the Democratic Party, with the final three years being Democratictrifectas.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Connecticut State House of Representatives:Throughout every year from 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Connecticut State House of Representatives. The Connecticut State House is one of 18 state Houses that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. During the final three years Connecticut was under Democratictrifectas.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Connecticut, theConnecticut State Senate and theConnecticut House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

SQLI and partisanship

To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Connecticut state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Between the years 1992 and 2005, Connecticut ranked in the top-10 in the SQLI ranking, in the top-5 for twelve of those thirteen years, and ranked 1st in 1992 and 1993. Beginning 2005, Connecticut dropped out of the top-10 and began a trend downward until hitting its lowest spot during the period of the study (33rd in 2012). Connecticut had divided government for eighteen years before having a Democratic trifecta in 2011. The state’s greatest decline in the SQLI ranking occurred between 2011 and 2012, when Connecticut dropped fourteen spots in the rankings. Connecticut has never had a Republican trifecta between 1992 and 2012.

• SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 26.00
• SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
• SQLI average with divided government: 6.63

Chart displaying the partisanship of Connecticut government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

Committees

See also:List of committees in Connecticut state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. Unique among the 50state legislatures, in Connecticut, all legislative committees are joint committees of theupper house andlower house. Permanent committees are authorized and required by state statute to be continued each session. No separate chamber committees are established.

TheConnecticut General Assembly has 26 joint committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Connecticut Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XII andArticle XIII of theConnecticut Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Connecticut

TheConnecticut Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Connecticut requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments. Connecticut does not feature the power ofinitiative for eitherinitiated constitutional amendments orinitiated state statutes.

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

In Connecticut, a constitutional amendment can be referred to the ballot after one legislative session or two legislative sessions depending on the vote count.

When an amendment receives a 75% vote in both legislative chambers, the amendment goes on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 114 votes in theConnecticut House of Representatives and 27 votes in theConnecticut State Senate, assuming no vacancies.

When an amendment receives a simple majority vote in both legislative chambers, the amendment must pass during two successive legislative sessions to go on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 76 votes in theConnecticut House of Representatives and 19 votes in theConnecticut State Senate, assuming no vacancies.

Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also:Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According toArticle XIII of theConnecticut Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is toautomatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1978. Connecticut is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next automatic constitutional convention question election years:

TheLegislature can also refer a constitutional convention question to the ballot. A two-thirds vote is required in each legislative chamber to refer a convention question to the ballot.

Proposals adopted at a state constitutional convention require voter approval.

See also

Elections	Connecticut State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Connecticut elections, 2024 Connecticut elections, 2022 Connecticut elections, 2020 Connecticut elections, 2018	Connecticut State Senate Connecticut House of Representatives Governor of Connecticut Connecticut Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2025,2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Connecticut General Assembly

Footnotes

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