1. 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 organization 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. 1 1

2. Essential Questions- What does the Legislative Branch do for Georgia?
What are the qualification, terms, and duties of the General Assembly?
What is the role of the General Assembly?
To what extent does the Legislative Branch influence our state government?
Click to See Pictures of the Georgia Capitol 2 2

3. State Government: The Legislative Branch
In Georgia, our legislative branch is called the General Assembly.
In Georgia, our legislative branch is called the General Assembly.
The General Assembly is made up of two parts.
The General Assembly is made up of two parts.
The Role of the General Assembly is to write and pass laws that are just for the state of Georgia.
The General Assembly writes and passes laws that are just for the state of Georgia.

4. State Government: The Legislative Branch
HOW DO LEGISLATORS GAIN THEIR POWER?
Members of the House and the Senate are elected by the voters in their district.
Each district contains the same number of people.
WHAT DOES THEIR WORK YEAR LOOK LIKE?
40 Day Session, beginning on 2nd Monday in January
Sitting on committees (year round)
In Georgia, our legislative branch is called the General Assembly.
The General Assembly is made up of two parts.
The General Assembly writes and passes laws that are just for the state of Georgia.

5. Qualifications of Legislators
Georgia State Senator
Georgia State House Member
Qualifications
-25 years old
-Resident of GA for two years
-Resident of the district for two years
-U.S. citizen 
-21 years old
Term
-2 years, no term limits
Election
-November, even numbered years
-November, even number years
Duties
-Serving on standing committees
-Pass state’s operating budget
-Enacting laws
-Redistricting (every 10 years)
-Vote to place Constitutional Amendments on the election ballot (2/3 vote) 
Recreate the table on the left on your own paper! . 5 5

6. GEORGIA’s HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Made up of 180 members
Presided over (headed by) the Speaker of the House
Elected by all members of the House
Historically is a member of the majority party (but doesn’t have to be) 6 6

7. GEORGIA’s House of Representatives
The Majority Party is the political party with the most members in the house.
Majority Leader: responsible for making sure its members vote for the bills & the agenda that the MAJORITY PARTY favors
The Minority Party has the fewest members.
Minority Leader: responsible for making sure its members vote for the bills & the agenda that the MINORITY PARTY favors
Floor Leader: promote interest of the Governor on the House floor 7 7

8. GEORGIA’s Senate Made up of 56 members
Presided over by the Lieutenant Governor
AKA - “President of the Senate”
GA’s Lieutenant Governor – Casey Cagle (R)
Elected directly by voters therefore can be member of minority party
Does NOT have a vote in the Senate
2nd in charge - President Pro Tempore
Leader of Senate’s majority party 8 8

9. DIFFERENCES b/w GEORGIA’s SENATE and the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
For the most part, the two houses operate in much the same fashion except for two things:
Only the H.o.R. can write appropriations (spending) bills
Only the Senate can confirm appointments made by the Governor to the executive branch
Both houses can propose/pass bills and all bills must be approved by BOTH houses before heading to Governor
In Georgia, our legislative branch is called the General Assembly.
The General Assembly is made up of two parts.
The General Assembly writes and passes laws that are just for the state of Georgia.

10. JOB DESCRIPTION OF PRESIDING OFFICERS (Lieutenant Governor & Speaker of the House)
Appoints committees and the chairpersons
Assigns bills to committees
Can determine order of business
Controls debates
Rules out proposed amendments to bills
Enforces rules for procedure for the General Assemble
Controls meeting times
Orders roll call votes, if needed 10 10

11. COMMITTEE SYSTEM
Most work for both houses is conducted within the COMMITTEE SYSTEM.
Standing Committees: permanent committees with specific focuses (IE: agriculture, education, etc.)
H.O.R. – 36 standing committees
SENATE – 26 standing committees
Each member of H.O.R & SENATE must serve on at least 2-3 standing committees
Committees have the power to CREATE – AMEND – CHANGE - KILL legislation. 11 11

12. COMMITTEE SYSTEM FOUR MAIN TYPES OF COMMITTEES:
Standing Committees: permanent committees/continue through all legislative sessions
Ad Hoc Committees: created for special purposes
Joint Committees: made up of members of both the SENATE and H.O.R.
Conference Committees: needed when H.O.R. and SENATE create different versions of same bill – members create compromise b/w the two before it becomes bill 12 12

13. VIDEOS Watch the following videos: 1. How a Bill Becomes a Law 13 13