Indiana Constitution ARTICLE 4.
Indiana Constitution – Article 4: Legislative Department
Article 4 of the Indiana Constitution establishes the structure, powers, and procedures of the Indiana General Assembly, which is the legislative branch of the state government. It lays out how laws are made and how legislators are selected and governed.
Here's a section-by-section summary of Article 4:
Section 1 – Legislative Authority
The legislative power is vested in a General Assembly, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
Section 2 – Election of Members
Members of the General Assembly are chosen by free and equal elections.
Section 3 – Apportionment
The number of members in each chamber and the drawing of legislative districts must be based on population and equitably apportioned.
Section 4 – Election Terms
Senators serve 4-year terms.
Representatives serve 2-year terms.
Section 5 – Qualifications
Legislators must be U.S. citizens, residents of Indiana for 2 years, and of their district for at least 1 year.
Senators must be at least 25 years old.
Representatives must be at least 21 years old.
Section 6 – Disqualifications
Anyone holding a lucrative federal office or certain state offices cannot serve in the General Assembly.
Persons convicted of infamous crimes may be disqualified.
Section 7 – Time and Place of Sessions
Regular sessions begin annually, with specific timing set by law.
Special sessions may be called by the Governor.
Section 8 – Quorum
A majority of each house constitutes a quorum to conduct business.
Section 9 – Rules and Discipline
Each house sets its own rules, judges qualifications of its members, and can punish disorderly behavior or expel a member (with a two-thirds vote).
Section 10 – Journal and Voting
Each house must keep a journal of proceedings and record votes on final passage of bills.
Section 11 – Privilege from Arrest
Members are privileged from arrest during session (except for treason, felony, or breach of peace) and are not liable for speech in debate.
Section 12 – Adjournments
Neither house may adjourn for more than three days or to another place without the consent of the other.
Section 13–20 – Legislative Process
Laws must be passed by bill (Sec. 13).
Bills must be read on three separate days in each house unless rules are suspended (Sec. 14).
Every act must include one subject only, which must be clearly expressed in the title (Sec. 19).
Bills must be signed by the presiding officers and presented to the Governor for approval (Sec. 20).
Section 21 – Local and Special Laws
The General Assembly is prohibited from passing certain local or special laws, such as those granting divorces or changing names.
Section 22 – Uniformity of Laws
Laws must be general and uniform, and special laws can only be enacted where general laws cannot apply.
Section 23 – Equal Privileges
The legislature cannot grant privileges or immunities to any citizen or class that do not apply equally to others.
Section 24 – Repeal or Amendment
No law is considered amended or repealed unless the new act expressly repeals or amends the original.
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