Georgia’s Legislative Branch

Prabjot Pandher

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

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

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.

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.

2 years = 1 term There is no limit on the number of terms a

senator or representative serves.

Term

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

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 40th legislative day. This is called Final Adjournment OR Sine Die.

Duties

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

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

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…

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