Georgia’s Government: The Legislative Branch March 15, 2016

The Legislative Branch Law-making power is granted to the legislative branch by the state constitution Law-making power is granted to the legislative branch by the state constitution The law-making body (legislature) in Georgia is called the General Assembly The law-making body (legislature) in Georgia is called the General Assembly The Assembly can pass laws on any issue not denied to it by the U.S. Constitution The Assembly can pass laws on any issue not denied to it by the U.S. Constitution It can also amend state laws or repeal them It can also amend state laws or repeal them Legislation (laws) can be passed on taxes, education, and property Legislation (laws) can be passed on taxes, education, and property Other subjects dealt with include mortgages, imprisonment, public health, and marriage and divorce Other subjects dealt with include mortgages, imprisonment, public health, and marriage and divorce

Members of the General Assembly The General Assembly is bi-cameral (divided into two houses or chambers) The General Assembly is bi-cameral (divided into two houses or chambers) One chamber is the House of Representatives, the other is the Senate One chamber is the House of Representatives, the other is the Senate There are 180 members of the House and 56 members of the Senate There are 180 members of the House and 56 members of the Senate To be a state senator, a person must be at least 25- years old, a citizen of the U.S., and a citizen of Georgia for at least 2 years. To be a state senator, a person must be at least 25- years old, a citizen of the U.S., and a citizen of Georgia for at least 2 years. To be a representative, a person must be at least 21- years old, and meet all of the other requirements of senators To be a representative, a person must be at least 21- years old, and meet all of the other requirements of senators

Election to the General Assembly Members of the General Assembly are elected by popular vote (by the people) to 2-year terms Members of the General Assembly are elected by popular vote (by the people) to 2-year terms There is no limit on the number of terms they can serve There is no limit on the number of terms they can serve Each of these members is elected by voters in a House or Senate district Each of these members is elected by voters in a House or Senate district Each district contains about the same number of voters Each district contains about the same number of voters

General Assembly Sessions The General Assembly meets each year for a forty-day session beginning on the 2 nd Monday in January The General Assembly meets each year for a forty-day session beginning on the 2 nd Monday in January Breaks and recesses do not count towards the 40 days, so they usually finish sometime in mid- March Breaks and recesses do not count towards the 40 days, so they usually finish sometime in mid- March Either the House or Senate can propose and pass bills, and all bills must be approved by both before being sent to the governor for signing Either the House or Senate can propose and pass bills, and all bills must be approved by both before being sent to the governor for signing

Leadership in the General Assembly The Lieutenant Governor presides over the state senate The Lieutenant Governor presides over the state senate Members of the House elect a Speaker of the House as their presiding officer Members of the House elect a Speaker of the House as their presiding officer The presiding officers determine the order of business, control debates, enforce rules of procedure, and order votes The presiding officers determine the order of business, control debates, enforce rules of procedure, and order votes They also appoint committees and assign bills to the committees They also appoint committees and assign bills to the committees

The Committee System Members of the House and Senate are organized into committees Members of the House and Senate are organized into committees All bills must be reviewed by a House or Senate committee before they can be voted on by the entire House or Senate All bills must be reviewed by a House or Senate committee before they can be voted on by the entire House or Senate Standing committees are permanent, lasting from one session to the next Standing committees are permanent, lasting from one session to the next Interim committees are organized for a special task and only last one session Interim committees are organized for a special task and only last one session

How a Bill becomes a Law Any representative or senator can propose a bill for consideration (a bill is a proposed law) Any representative or senator can propose a bill for consideration (a bill is a proposed law) There are 9 steps for a bill to become a law in Georgia There are 9 steps for a bill to become a law in Georgia For a bill to become a law in Georgia, the same version must be passed in both chambers of the General Assembly For a bill to become a law in Georgia, the same version must be passed in both chambers of the General Assembly If they cannot agree on one version, a committee proposes a compromise bill which is then sent to be voted on If they cannot agree on one version, a committee proposes a compromise bill which is then sent to be voted on

Steps to becoming a law 1) a proposal is written and given a number 1) a proposal is written and given a number 2) it is assigned to a House committee 2) it is assigned to a House committee 3) It is studied by the committee 3) It is studied by the committee 4) If passed by the committee, it goes to the full House of Representatives 4) If passed by the committee, it goes to the full House of Representatives 5) If passed by the House, it is sent to the Senate 5) If passed by the House, it is sent to the Senate 6) It is assigned to a Senate committee 6) It is assigned to a Senate committee 7) If passed, it goes to the full Senate for a vote 7) If passed, it goes to the full Senate for a vote 8) If passed in the same form by the Senate, it is then signed by presiding officers 8) If passed in the same form by the Senate, it is then signed by presiding officers 9) It is sent to the governor who can sign or veto the bill 9) It is sent to the governor who can sign or veto the bill If signed, the bill becomes a law. If vetoed, it is sent back. The General Assembly can override the veto by a 2/3 vote of both chambers and it will become a law If signed, the bill becomes a law. If vetoed, it is sent back. The General Assembly can override the veto by a 2/3 vote of both chambers and it will become a law