Handbook·State government

The Pennsylvania legislature: how it works

State page·Verified 2026-07-10

What your state legislature controls covers the general powers. This page profiles Pennsylvania's legislature.

The basics

Pennsylvania's legislature, the General Assembly, is bicameral: a 203-member House of Representatives serving 2-year terms, and a 50-member Senate serving 4-year staggered terms, with roughly half the Senate up each cycle. It is widely considered one of the most professionalized state legislatures in the country. Lawmakers work year-round rather than in a short fixed session, maintain large district and committee staffs, and are paid a full-time salary. The General Assembly operates on a 2-year session tied to the House's election cycle. The current session runs through November 30, 2026. Base annual salary reached $113,575 after a December 2025 cost-of-living adjustment, among the highest state legislative salaries in the country, behind only California and New York.

Who controls it now

Control is currently split between the chambers. Democrats hold a narrow 102-99 majority in the House. Republicans hold a 28-22 majority in the Senate, where they have held continuous control since 1994.

Where to go