Alaska Senate
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The Alaska Senate is the upper house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The Senate consists of 20 members representing an equal amount of districts, with an average constituent population per district at 31,347 (2000 figures). Members serve four-year terms without term limits. With 20 Senators, the Alaska Senate is the smallest upper house state legislative body in the United States.
Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.
The Senate convenes at the State Capitol in Juneau.
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[edit] Leadership of the Senate
The President of the Senate presides over the body, appointing members to all of the Senate's committees and joint committees, and may create other committees and subcommittees if desired. Unlike other states, the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska does not preside over the Senate. Instead, the Lieutenant Governor oversees the Alaska Division of Elections, fulfilling the role of Secretary of State as in a majority of U.S. states. Only two other states, Hawaii and Utah, have similar constitutional arrangements for their lieutenant governors. The other partisan Senate leadership positions, such as the Majority and Minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses to head their parties in the chamber.
The President of the Senate is Republican Ben Stevens of District N (Anchorage). The Majority Leader is Republican Gary Stevens of District R (Kodiak). The Minority Leader is Democrat Johnny Ellis of District L (Anchorage).
