Organization Day at the Statehouse

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, the Indiana General Assembly will convene at the Statehouse for the ceremonial start of the 2016 legislative session. “Organization Day,” as it’s commonly called, provides legislators an opportunity to meet with fellow lawmakers and staff, and begin discussing legislative topics.

During a long session – when the General Assembly creates a two-year budget – Organization Day is used as an opportunity to arrange committees and swear in new members. Since this is a short session with no budget in the works or newly elected legislators, each caucus will use this time to prepare before session officially begins in January.

The 2016 session will reconvene Jan. 5 and by law, must conclude no later than March 14. Lawmakers will be working together to address several key issues during the upcoming session, including:

• Supporting Indiana students, teachers and schools;
  
• Funding for infrastructure needs;
  
• Combating illegal drugs in our state; and
  
• Keeping our economy on track through pro-growth fiscal policies.
  

This is the first time the Indiana Senate will come together since the 2015 legislative session adjourned in April. All legislators are asked to be present on Organization Day, and many choose to invite family members and introduce them to their colleagues.

Indiana’s legislature is a part-time, citizen legislature, meaning it is structured so citizens can serve as a Representative or Senator, while still living and working in the communities they serve.

To stay informed and engaged as the legislature considers new laws, visit www.in.gov/iga to stream committee hearings and session meetings. Event calendars, agendas, vote tallies and proposed legislation can also be found on this site.

-30-