The Legislative Branch S8CG2 The student will analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia state government. a. Explain the qualifications, term, election, and duties of members of the General Assembly b. Describe the organizations of the General Assembly, with emphasis on leadership and the committee system c. Trace the steps in the legislative process for a bill to become a law in Georgia

To understand how our state legislative branch runs you also need to understand the federal level of the legislative branch The legislative branch makes laws. All representatives are elected. (Terms vary.) Article I, sections 1-9 of the US Constitution spells out the powers and procedures of Congress

US / Federal Government Congress is bicameral or two houses House of Representatives Number is based on the state’s population Currently 435 representatives 2 year terms “Speaker of the House” which is voted on by the majority party, is the presiding officer Speaker = Paul Ryan ® Senate 2 from each state 100 total 6 year terms VP is presiding officer, votes if there is a tie VP = Mike Pence ®

Powers of Congress Regulating Commerce Levying and collection taxes Creating laws Issuing Money Issuing copyrights and Patents Regulation of weights and measures (i.e. miles, oz., gallons) Declaring War

Key terms Expressed powers -powers stated in the constitution Implied powers – are powers needed to carryout the expressed powers Elastic clause – the clause that stretches Congress’ powers Bill – proposed legislation Law – passed legislation Veto – refusal to sign

Georgia’s Legislative Branch Georgia’s legislature is the General Assembly 1789: became bi-cameral (two houses) under Royal Governor Reynolds House of Representatives (money): only house to propose and write appropriations (spending bills) Senate (people): only house to confirm appointments the governor makes to executive offices

Power & Legislation General Assembly addresses these topics: Can pass, amend, or remove laws to GA Constitution State spending and budgets Taxes, education, contracts, property Personal / Family (ex: inheritance, marriage, companies) Fines, imprisonment, death (criminal matters) Public Good: morals, health, regulations, welfare

Georgia General Assembly (meets for 40 days – Jan thru March) Senate 56 members Voted/elected by the people 2 year terms House 180 members of the house Voted/elected by the people 2 year terms No limit on the number of terms

Qualifications to run for Georgia’s General Assembly Senate At least 25 years old Citizens of the US Citizens of GA for at least 2 years Legal resident of their district for 1 year

Qualifications to run for Georgia’s General Assembly House At least 21 years old Citizen of US Citizen of GA for at least 2 years Legal resident of their district for 1 year

Georgia’s Congressional Districts The Georgia General Assembly Representation www.legis.state.ga.us/

Legislative Workings Starts the second Monday in January and goes 40 days until mid-March (with breaks or “recess”) Lieutenant Governor (elected by the people): presides over the Senate and does not have a vote (part of the Executive Branch) LT Gov of GA = Casey Cagle ® Speaker of the House (elected by the House): presides over the House (elected from control party) Speaker of the House has a vote only if there is a tie Speaker of the GA House = David Ralston ® Other Leaders: Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Floor Leader

Duties of the Presiding Officers Both the Speaker of the House and Lieutenant Governor: appoint members to committees, assign bills to committees, appoint chairpersons of the committees

Committees Members of both the House and Senate are organized into Committees to review and propose new laws All bills must be reviewed by Committees before they can be brought to a vote by the General Assembly or Congress Different types of committees: Standing (permanent in either House or Senate) Interim (for a specific purpose in either House or Senate) Conference (with both House & Senate to review a bill) Joint (from both House & Senate for a task / purpose)

Special Committees Interim – special task group to work on certain issues between session of the legislature (one house or other) Conference – 3 senators and 3 representatives work together, take their two versions and try to write one bill that they both can agree upon Joint – members from both houses that work on assigned topic or issue.

Georgia’s legislature Standing Committees (permanent) Ways and Means  Handles taxes Appropriations  Works on the budget Judiciary  State laws and court system

Funding Georgia’s Government Revenues: sources of income for the state State funds (taxes) Federal funds Special fees Expenditures: plans for spending the funds Georgia’s budget must be balanced, state constitution requires it

Three types of budget Original budget: first (fiscal year) Amended budget: changes made to balance the budget Supplementary budget: when additional funds are available 90 % revenue comes from personal, property, corp. taxes

How does a bill become a law?

How a bill becomes a law Idea Senate Committee holds hearings to review bill House Committee holds hearings to review bill Draft is created House floor votes on bill Senate floor votes on bill Sent to Executive branch (governor or president) to be signed or vetoed

HOW DOES A BILL BECOME A LAW Proposal is submitted Copies of the bill are given to Gen. Assembly Bill is assigned to a committee in the House, there it is discussed Committee can hold, vote out, make changes, or pass/not pass it (“Kill” a bill) Bill is sent to the full house (50% + 1 vote to pass) When bill is certified (passed) then sent to the other chamber, the Senate Bill is assigned to a Senate committee (same as 4) If both chambers pass it in the same form, it is sent to the governor/President If differences exist in two versions, then back to committee! Then a repeat vote is held! Governor can sign it, take no action (automatic law), or veto it (General Assembly can over ride veto with 2/3)