Legislature is the lawmaking branch of a government. In the United States, the national legislature is called the Congress. In the United Kingdom and Canada, it is called the Parliament. In Japan, it is called the Diet. Most legislatures have the power to pass laws (sometimes called statutes), which all citizens must obey. Sometimes legislatures have more authority than a government’s executive head, and can supervise and regulate the leader’s activities.
In parliamentary forms of government, as in the United Kingdom and Canada, the legislature determines the appointment of the prime minister and the cabinet. The ministry can remain in office only so long as it has the support of a majority in the legislature. In presidential systems of government, as in the United States, the country’s chief executive is elected for a definite number of years. The chief executive holds office for that length of time even without the support of a majority in the legislature.
Most legislatures today are divided into two separate groups, called houses or chambers. A legislature of two chambers is called a bicameral legislature. In the United States, these two chambers are the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the United Kingdom, they are the House of Lords and the House of Commons. In Canada, they are the Senate and the House of Commons. In most two-house legislatures, both houses must approve a bill before it becomes a law. However, in the United Kingdom, only the approval of the House of Commons is necessary to pass any law relating to money matters.
In the U.S. Senate, each state, regardless of population, is equally represented. But members of the U.S. House of Representatives are divided among the states according to their population. Most state legislatures resemble the national legislature in organization and method of operating. But Nebraska has a one-house legislature chosen on the basis of population. A one-house body is known as a unicameral legislature. In 1964, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that representation in both houses of state legislatures must be based on population.
Most national legislatures hold a regular session each year. Special sessions may be called to meet problems that come up between the regular sessions. In the United States, over four-fifths of the state legislatures hold yearly sessions. The other states meet every two years. But any of these state legislatures may be called into special session when the need arises.
The members of legislatures are elected to office for a varying number of years. Members of the U.S. Senate are elected to six-year terms, and members of the House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms. For information on the terms of state legislators, see the Legislature sections of the state articles, such as Alabama (Legislature) .
In cities, the legislature is usually called the board of aldermen, common council, or city council. In some cities, the legislature is called the commission. Laws passed by city legislatures are usually called ordinances.
