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

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

The Federal Capitol Building House of Representatives Senate

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

The Florida State Capitol Building

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

How A Bill Becomes A Law

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).

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.

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.