Overview of 2013 Legislative Session

While there will be many new faces in this year's legislative session, control of both chambers still belongs to Republicans.

In the House, Republicans hold a 53 to 17 seat advantage of Democrats.  In the Senate, Republicans outnumber Democrats by 28 to seven.

The session starts Tuesday at noon, and ramps up with the 1 p.m. CST State of the State address from Governor Dennis Daugaard.  On Wednesday, Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson will delivery the State of the Judiciary message to the full legislative body.  Both deliveries are expected to touch on the state's judicial system and potential alternatives to sentencing to ease jail and prison populations. (Full Calendar)

Overall, lawmakers have 38 days to complete their work.  They'll work four days each week until the final week of the session, when they'll put in five days.  On March 8, they'll recess for two weeks and then return on March 25 to consider any vetoes made by the governor.  That will conclude the legislative session for 2013.