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Oregon Legislature

Oregon Legislature

The Oregon Legislature, which is also known as the Oregon Legislative Assembly, is the bicameral legislative body of Oregon, responsible for proposing and passing bills within the state, as well as determining a state budget. The Oregon Legislature, as a bicameral institution, is made up of an upper and lower house, with the upper house of the Oregon Legislature being the Senate, and the lower house of the Oregon Legislature being the House of Representatives. 


The Oregon Legislature is made up of 90 members in total, with 30 of these members belonging to the Oregon Senate, and 60 members belonging to the Oregon House of Representatives. The Oregon Legislature, divided as such, involves 60 districts for the Oregon House of Representatives, and 30 districts for the Oregon Senate. Each Senate district of the Oregon Legislature is made up of exactly two House districts. 

Furthermore, one of the differentiating qualities of the Oregon Legislature is that it is considered a citizens’ assembly. This means that the Oregon Legislature is not made up of dedicated politicians, and members of the Oregon Legislature hold other jobs, as the Oregon Legislature only meets once every two years. 



The Oregon Legislature might be called into special sessions if it was considered necessary by members of the Oregon Legislature, however, or by the Governor of Oregon. This is a relatively recent change, as well, as up until 1976 only the Governor of Oregon could call the Oregon Legislature into session in a special circumstance.