1. The Legislative Branch
S8CG2 Analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia. a. Explain the qualifications for members of the General Assembly and its role as the lawmaking body of Georgia.
b. Describe the purpose of the committee system within the Georgia General Assembly.
c. Explain the process for making a law in Georgia.
d. Describe how state government is funded and how spending decisions are made.

2. Key terms Expressed powers -powers stated in the constitution
Implied powers – are powers needed to carryout the expressed powers
Elastic clause – the clause that stretches Congress’ powers, Article I, section 8 of our constitution
Bill – proposed legislation
Veto – refusal to sign

3. Georgia’s Legislative Branch
Georgia’s legislature is called the Georgia General Assembly
1789: became bi-cameral (two house)
House of Representatives: can write appropriations (spending bills), they must start here
Senate: only the Senate can confirm appointments the governor makes to executive offices

4. Powers of Congress Regulating Commerce Levying and collection taxes
Creating laws
Issuing Money
Issuing copyrights and Patents
Regulation of weights and measures (i.e. miles, oz., gallons)
Declaring War

5. Powers of the GA General Assembly
Law making for the state
Approves the state budget
Pass legislation on taxes, education, contracts, real and personal property
Create public regulations, which are laws affecting morals, public health, and business regulations

6. To understand how our state legislative branch runs you also need to understand the federal level of the legislative branch
The legislative branch makes laws.
All representatives are elected. (The terms vary per office)
Congress: 2 yr. for House, 6 years for Senate
GA General Assembly: 2 yr term for both House and Senate

7. Qualifications to run for Georgia’s General Assembly
Senate
At least 25 years old
Citizens of the US
Citizens of GA for at least 2 years
Legal resident of their district for 1 year
House
At least 21 years old
Citizen of US
Citizen of GA for at least 2 years
Legal resident of their district for 1 year

8. What is the purpose of the committee system when making laws?
Members of both the House and Senate are organized into Committees to review and proposed new laws
Committees: all bills must be reviewed by Committees before they can be brought to a vote by the General Assembly or Congress
Different types of committees:
Standing
Interim
Conference
joint

9. Georgia’s legislature Standing Committees (permanent)
Ways and Means 
Handles taxes
Appropriations 
Works on the budget
Judiciary 
State laws and court system

10. How does a bill become a law?

11. How a bill becomes a law Idea
Senate Committee holds hearings to review bill
House Committee holds hearings to review bill
Draft is created
House floor votes on bill
Senate floor votes on bill
Sent to Executive branch (governor or president) to be signed or vetoed

12. Funding Georgia’s Government
Revenues: sources of income for the state
State funds-(taxes)
Federal funds
Special fees
Expenditures: plans for spending the funds
Georgia’s budget must be balanced, state constitution requires it

13. Three types of budget
Original budget: the first one created for that year(fiscal year)
Amended budget: changes made to balance the budget during the fiscal year
Supplementary budget: when additional funds are available
90% of all revenue comes from taxes