1. Highlights: The Legislative Branch
SS.7.C.3.8/SS.7.3.9
The Structure, Functions, and Processes of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of Government
Terri Susan Fine, Ph.D.
Content Specialist, Florida Joint Center for Citizenship

2. Benchmarks SS.7.C.3.8 (Also assesses SS.7.3.9)
Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
SS.7.3.9
Illustrate the lawmaking processes at the local, state, and federal levels

3. The Federal Capitol Building
House of Representatives
Senate

4. The Structure of the Legislative Branch
Level of Government
Legislative Titles
Chamber Titles
Institution Title
Members
National
Representative
Senator
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
U.S. Congress
435 U.S. Representatives
100 U.S. Senators
State
Florida House of Representatives
Florida Senate
Florida Legislature
120 Representatives
40 Senators
Local
City/County Commissioner
N/A
City Council
County Commission
Determined by city and county charters

5. The Florida State Capitol Building

6. The Legislative Process at the National and State Levels of Government
Power
Explanation of Power
Possible Outcome
Introduce Legislation
Ask the legislative chamber to consider a proposed law (bill)
Bill is forwarded to committee
Forward Bill to Committee
Ask a committee to consider the bill
Bill is forwarded to legislative chamber
Vote on Bill
A majority of members of each chamber (50%+1) must approve of the bill before it is forwarded to the chief executive
Bill is forwarded to the chief executive
Chief Executive acts on Bill
Chief Executive may sign the bill into law or veto the bill.
National law
State statute

7. How A Bill Becomes A Law

8. The Appointment Process
Power
Level of Government
Explanation of Power
Nomination by Chief Executive (U.S. president or Florida governor)
National
State
The Chief Executive nominates persons to hold specific public offices.
Appointment by Senate
The U.S. Senate must approve, by majority vote, of persons named by the president to hold specific offices (nominees).
The Florida Senate must approve, by majority vote, of persons named by the governor to hold specific offices (nominees).

9. The Impeachment Process
Power
Level of Government
Explanation of Power
Possible Outcome
Impeach
National
State
The power to bring charges of official wrongdoing against a person holding public office
Impeachment requires a majority vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Impeachment requires a majority vote in the Florida House of Representatives
Convict
Conviction leads to the removal of executive and judicial branch officials and a criminal record
Conviction requires a 2/3 vote in the U.S. Senate.
Conviction requires a 2/3 vote in the Florida Senate.

10. Party Leadership Congress and the Florida Legislature
Majority leader: The leader chosen by the party with the most seats in his or her house of Congress; this person represents the majority party in policy debates.
Minority leader: The leader chosen by the party with the least seats in his or her house of Congress; this person represents the minority party in policy debates.
President pro tempore of the Senate: The second highest ranking member of the U.S. Senate (The U.S. Constitution provides that the vice-president is the president of the Senate). The person who presides over the Florida Senate when the Senate president is not present.
Speaker of the House: The person who presides over the U.S. House of Representatives/the person who presides over the Florida House of Representatives. The majority party selects the Speaker of the House in the United States and in Florida.