Georgia’s Legislative Branch

House of Representatives 1. What power does Georgia’s constitution give the legislative branch?  law-making power What is Georgia’s legislative branch called? Georgia General Assembly Started in 1777 as a uni-cameral legislature Reorganized in 1789 as a bi-cameral legislature with a senate and house of representatives What are the two differences in operations of the Senate v. the House of Representatives? Senate House of Representatives Only the senate can confirm appointments the governor makes to executive offices. Only the house of representatives can write appropriations (spending) bills

House of Representatives Number of Members 56 180   SENATE House of Representatives Number of Members  56 180  How are they elected? Popular vote   Term  2 2 Qualifications Age 25 years 21 years US Citizenship YES GA Citizenship  2 years Resident of district  1 year Presiding Officer Lieutenant Governor  Speaker of the House is elected Duties of Presiding Officer Appoints committees Assigns Bills DOES NOT HAVE A VOTE VOTES TO BREAK A TIE

5. When and for how long does the Georgia General Assembly meet? The session begins on the second Monday in January for 40 days that usually lasts until mid-March. (Breaks and recesses do not count as part of the 40 days) Other leaders in the General Assembly: Majority Leader- responsible for making sure its members vote for the bills and agenda the majority party favors Minority Leader- Same as majority leader Floor Leader- promotes interests of the Governor on the house floor

Committee System What is the purpose of the committee system? To study and review bills Define each type of committee Standing committees- permanent committees or those that continue for every legislative session. House has 36 and Senate has 26. Ad hoc- committees created for a special purpose Joint- a committee made up of members of the Senate and House Conference- Created when the House and Senate create different versions of a bill. The members of each house must compromise and make one bill for it to become a law. 9. How many committees are the General Assembly members required to serve on? Each member of the General Assembly is responsible for serving on at least two or three committees. 10. What do these committees have the power to do? Amend- Change Engross- Approve Kill- Dies in the committee

How a Bill Becomes a Law

4. The bill is considered by the committee and can be 1. Legislator introduces an idea for a law or change to an existing law. 2. After the legislator goes to the Office of Legal Counsel to remedy legal issues, the bill is submitted to the clerk of its chamber and is assigned a number Ex: SB4 or HR 12 3. The Bill is formally introduced (1st reading) and assigned to a standing committee. 4. The bill is considered by the committee and can be Engrossed (approved) Killed Amended 5. The bill is read and is up for voting. If approved it is sent to the other chamber. 6. If second chamber passes the bill, it is returned to the chamber of origin 7. Bill is sent to the Governor for approval. The Governor may: -sign the bill into law - veto it -do nothing (after 40 days the bill becomes law)