Government
Baton Rouge has been home to Louisiana's State Capitol since 1882 and from 1849 to 1862.Louisiana has had 11 constitutions, more than any other state. The present constitution was adopted in 1974, effective January 1, 1975.
The legislature consists of a senate of 39 members and a house of representatives of 105. All members are elected to four-year terms. The executive branch is headed by the governor, who is elected to a four-year term. Other elected members of the executive branch are the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, and the commissioners of agriculture, insurance, and elections. Each is also elected for four years.
The state judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court, which consists of a chief justice and six associate justices, all elected for 10 years. Other courts include a court of appeals, district courts, and local courts.
Louisiana's legal system is a fusion of old French and Spanish law and the Code Napoléon, combined with some elements of English common law. In this respect it differs from the legal systems of the other states, which are based mainly on common law.
Louisiana is divided into 64 parishes, which correspond to counties. The state sends two senators and seven representatives to Washington.
