2. Prabjot Pandher

3.   Age Limit: 25  Must be a GA citizen for at least 2 years  Must be a legal resident of the representing district for at least 1 year  Must be an U.S. citizen Qualifications for Senate

4.   Age Limit: 21  Must be a GA citizen for at least 2 years  Must be a legal resident of the representing district for at least 1 year  Must be an U.S. citizen Qualifications for House of Representatives

5.   The President of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor. Also called the President Pro Tempore.  He/she is a member of the majority party.  He/she decides what should be debated in the Senate.  He/she chooses & appoints Committee Chairs. Senate Leadership David Shafer. President Pro Tempore of the GA Senate.

6.   Speaker of the House  He/she is a member of the Majority party.  He/she decides what should be debated in the House.  He/she chooses & appoints Committee Chairs. House of Representatives Leadership David Ralston. Speaker of the House of the GA House of Representatives.

7.   2 years = 1 term  There is no limit on the number of terms a senator or representative serves. Term

8.   Held every 2 years  Occurs in November of even-numbered years  Elected by Georgia voters  The Senate and the House of Representatives is up for election or reelection at the same time. Elections

9.   One of the most important duties of the GA General Assembly is to make Georgia’s laws and pass Georgia’s budget.  The General Assembly is also required to finish business by midnight on the 40 th legislative day. This is called Final Adjournment OR Sine Die. Duties

10.   There are 2 types of Committees; Standing & Interim.  Standing: A legislative committee that is present, year to year.  Interim: A group of legislators who study issues in between legislative sessions.  Each Committee has it’s own chairperson.  Committee Chairs are appointed by the Speaker of the House & the President of the Senate.  Committee Chairs decide when the committee will meet, when legislature will be discussed & when the committee will vote. Committee System

11.   Step 1 (Drafting): Legislators write the text of the bill with the help of lawyers from the office of Legislative Council.  Step 2 (Introduction): Bill is copied & introduced to the house the legislator serves in.  Step 3 (Committee Consideration): The bill is submitted to committees to be studied. The Committees may do any of the following.  Recommend “Do Not Pass” Stamp  Recommend “Do Pass” Stamp  Recommend “Do Pass by Substitute” Stamp  Recommend “Do Pass with Amendments” Stamp  If they do not do the above, they may also HOLD the bill. Process of a Bill to a Law

12.   Step 4 (Floor Consideration): Legislatures debate & vote on the bill. A majority vote (Half of House+1) is needed to pass the bill.  House of Representatives: 91 votes out of 180  Senate: 29 votes out of 56  Step 5 (Governor Consideration): The bill is sent to the governor. He/she may do any of the following.  Sign the Bill & Pass it  Veto the Bill; If done, then the bill is sent back for a 2 / 3 vote  The governor may also do nothing. If so, after 40 days the bill becomes a law. Process of a Bill to a Law continued…

13.   Georgia Family Connection Partnership. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2014, from www.gafcp.org: http://www.gafcp.org/connect/general_assembly_overview  Georgia General Assembly. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2014, from www.legis.ga.gov: http://www.legis.ga.gov/en-US/default.aspx  New Georgia Encyclopedia. (2004, February 12). Retrieved April 28, 2014, from www.georgiaencyclopedia.org: http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/georgia-general- assembly Works Cited