1. Unit 8: Lesson 2- The Legislative Branch of Georgia Government
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How do the desires of citizens to be secure and free develop into actions by members of the General Assembly?

2. Legislative Branch law-making body in Georgia
officially known as Georgia General Assembly
bicameral (two-houses): House of Representatives and Senate
only House can write spending bills; Senate confirms appointments made by the governor

3. Members of the General Assembly
180 members of House of Representatives
56 members of the Senate
Elected by popular vote within their District
Two year term and no limit on consecutive terms
Qualifications
citizen of US and Georgia at least 2 years
legal resident of district at least 1 year
Senators: at least 25 years old
Representatives: at least 21 years old

4. Legislative Sessions 40-day session, January – March
members of house of representatives elect Speaker of the House
Lieutenant Governor presides over senate but has no vote
Speaker can vote if there is a tie

5. Committees organized like Congress in committees and subcommittees
bills may start in House or Senate
standing committees: permanent part of the General Assembly
interim committee: works on assigned special tasks
conference committee: works out agreements between house and senate on bills
joint committee: has members of House and Senate to work on assigned topic or issue
members serve on several committees

6. Types of Legislation
can pass laws, amend (change) them, or do away with them
some law topics:
taxes
education
property
criminal matters and punishments
public health
regulation of businesses & professions

7. How a Bill Becomes a Law
any senator or representative can propose a bill
bills related to spending must begin in the House
same version of the bill must pass House and Senate
compromise bill may come from conference committee
governor can sign or veto the bill if it passes both the House and Senate

8. How a Bill Becomes a Law **MAKE SURE YOU WRITE THIS DOWN!!!
Drafting – Legislators write the text of the bill (proposed law).
Introduction – The bill is introduced to either the Senate or House of Representatives for discussion.
Committee Consideration – The bill is assigned to a committee that studies the bill. The bill may be changed at this time.
Floor Consideration – A vote is called during a regular session. If the bill is passed in one house, it goes to the other house for consideration.
Governor Consideration – Once both houses pass the bill it is sent to the governor. The governor can then sign the bill into law or veto the bill (send it back to the General Assembly to be changed or rewritten).
**MAKE SURE YOU WRITE THIS DOWN!!!

9. Reapportionment Occurs every 10 years following the census
legislature must redraw the voting districts to make them have the equal numbers of people
2001: districts drawn by Democratic legislature ruled unconstitutional
2004: revisions made to district map
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