1. Learning about the law making process
Looking at Lawmaking
SS.7.C.2.13 Examine multiple perspectives on public and current issues.
SS.7.C.3.8 Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
SS.7.C.3.9 Illustrate the lawmaking process at the local, state, and federal levels.
Learning about the law making process

2. Click the pic for the Federalism Facts of Congress!

3. Levels of Government Government Federal State Local
In our federal system of government, powers are shared between three levels:

4. Branches of Government
Federal
State
Local
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Each level of government has three branches – legislative, executive, and judicial.
These branches all have different powers, responsibilities, and requirements.

5. What does the legislative branch do?
Who serves in the Legislative Branch?
Congressmen/Congresswomen
U.S. Representative
U.S. Senator
Legislative Branch
Makes the law
U.S. Congress
FEDERAL
U.S. House of Representatives (435 Members)
Florida Legislator
Florida Representative
Florida Senator
Florida
Legislature
U.S. Senate (100 Members)
STATE
Florida House of Representatives (120 Members)
Commissioner
Councilman/Councilwoman
Florida Senate (40 Members)
City Commission/Council
*Number varies according to population
County Commission
School Board
LOCAL

6. What does the executive branch do?
Who serves in the executive branch?
President
Vice President
Cabinet Members
Executive Branch
Enforces the law
The Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.
FEDERAL
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Cabinet Members
The Florida Cabinet's role is to advise the Governor and is made up of the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.
STATE
Federal - The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.
Florida -
Mayor
Processes and policies for the office of the mayor will vary by city. Research your local government to find the role of your mayor!
LOCAL

7. What does the judicial branch do?
Who serves in the judicial branch?
Justices of the United States Supreme Court
Appellate Judges
Trial Judges
Judicial Branch
Interprets and applies the law
FEDERAL
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal
U.S. District Courts
Justices of the Florida Supreme Court
Appellate Judges
STATE
Florida Supreme Court
District Courts of Appeal
Trial Judges
State Trial Courts
Circuit Courts
County Courts
LOCAL

8. On your worksheet, you will need to correctly identify each branch of government, the role of the branch, and the titles/offices of government officials for each level of government. For the judicial branch, you will need to identify the levels/types of courts.
Who Does What?

9. Interpret and apply the law
Who Does What?
Branch of Government
Role of this branch
Branch of Government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Role of this branch
Make law
Enforce law
Interpret and apply the law
Federal
Congressman/
Congresswoman
U.S. Senator
U.S. Representative
President
Vice President
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal
U.S. District Courts
State
Florida Senator
Florida Representative
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Florida Supreme Court
District Courts of Appeal
Local
Councilman/
Councilwoman
County/City Commissioner
Mayor
Circuit Court
County Court

10. How are laws made in the legislature?
Looking at Lawmaking

11. The Hierarchy of Law
If there is a conflict between a lower law and a higher one, the higher one “prevails”.
United States Constitution
Federal Laws
(Acts of Congress)
The U.S. Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land.”
Florida Constitution
Highlight the hierarchy of law. The US Constitution as the highest law in the land.
State Statutes (laws)
City and County Ordinances

12. Constitution of the State of Florida
Where does it come from?
Where does Congress get the power to make acts/laws?
Where does the Florida legislature get the power to make laws (statutes) for the state?
Where does the local government get the power to make ordinances?
Constitution of the State of Florida

13. Click the pic to see a Fact of Congress on how a bill becomes a law!

14. This bill is going to start in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The cost of living is so high! Because of the downturn in the economy, we only make minimum wage and can barely make ends meet. We need to increase the minimum wage!
Bill
A bill is an idea that comes from a citizen, group, Congressperson, or the Executive Branch.
The bill is sponsored by an interested member of the House or Senate where it receives support from other Congressmen/Congresswomen.
This bill is going to start in the U.S. House of Representatives.

15. A bill is officially introduced when it is placed in the hopper on the side of the Clerk’s desk.
Increase the federal minimum wage
H.B. 1415
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
The title of the bill is entered in the House journal and printed in the Congressional record.
HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE
The Clerk then assigns the bill a number and it is assigned to the appropriate committee.
HB 1415 is a fictional bill.
Increase federal minimum wage

16. Only 1 out of every 4 bills make it out of committee!
Here, experts will testify on the bill and then the committee members will make changes or updates based on this testimony.
Bill
Increase the federal minimum wage
H.B. 1415
Committee members then vote on whether or not the bill should go to the House floor for a vote.
Only 1 out of every 4 bills make it out of committee!
Today, that is going to be your job!
Some of you are going to be the experts providing testimony on both sides of the bill proposing an increase in the federal minimum wage. Some will testify before the House and some before the Senate.
Others will be the committee members for the House and Senate. You will be responsible for asking the experts questions to get enough information so you can make a decision on this bill.
HB 1415 is a fictional bill.

17. Why would a member vote “present”?
If the bill passes committee, it is reported to the House floor for debate. Here, amendments are proposed during the bill reading.
Bill
Increase the federal minimum wage
H.B. 1415
Why would a member vote “present”?
When debate is over, the bill is voted on using one of three methods:
Voice vote
Division
Members stand to be counted
Recorded
This is the most common way to vote. Members select “yea”, “nay”, or “present” or complete a paper ballot.
HB 1415 is a fictional bill.

18. If the bill passes the House with a simple majority (218 of 435), it is sent to the Senate. It is reviewed and discussed in a Senate committee before it is voted on.
Bill
Increase the federal minimum wage
H.B. 1415
Senate Committee members and experts for the Senate, it is your turn to testify!
HB 1415 is a fictional bill.

19. Bill NAY! YEA! YEA! NAY! YEA! YEA! NAY!
If the bill passes committee, it is sent to the Senate for debate and to make amendments to the bill.
Bill
Increase the federal minimum wage
H.B. 1415
Unlike the House, Senate members typically vote by voice.
A simple majority (51 out of 100) passes the bill.
NAY!
YEA!
YEA!
HB 1415 is a fictional bill.
NAY!
YEA!
YEA!
NAY!

20. If the bill passes the Senate, it is sent back to the House with a note about any changes (amendments).
Bill
Increase the federal minimum wage
H.B. 1415
If there are amendments:
It may be sent to committee for research
It will be voted on again
HB 1415 is a fictional bill.
This process continues until both houses of Congress agree on an IDENTICAL bill.

21. If Congress recesses before the 10 days have passed, the bill dies.
The identical bill is then sent to the President.
Once it is here, the President has three options:
H.B.
1415
Increase the federal minimum wage
LAW
VETO
Sign the bill into law
Veto the bill ?
M. President
Not sign the bill
HB 1415 is a fictional bill.
If Congress is in session and it is not signed with 10 days, the bill becomes law.
If Congress recesses before the 10 days have passed, the bill dies.

22. 2/3 VETO H.B. 1415 Increase the federal minimum wage
If Congress disagrees with the President’s veto, they can override the veto with two-thirds vote in both Chambers of Congress.
2/3
HB 1415 is a fictional bill.

23. How does a bill become a law in Florida?
Let’s look at the process…
How does a bill become a law in Florida?

24. IDEA DECISION BILL DRAFTED 1ST READING 3RD READING 2ND READING LAW
From citizen, group or legislator .
DECISION
The legislator decides if the idea should be a bill.
BILL DRAFTED
Bill written by staff and assigned a number..
1ST READING
Published in Chamber Journal.
Consideration by Opposite Chamber
Same process as original Chamber.
3RD READING
Final reading of the bill. The bill is voted on and may die if it does not receive a favorable vote.
2ND READING
Bill is read on floor of Chamber and may be placed on Special Order Calendar by vote.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT
/MEETING
Bill is reviewed, voted on, and can be placed on calendar or allowed to die in committee.
Remind students that the lawmaking process at the federal and state level are similar. Students will need to look for key words to help them distinguish between federal and state lawmaking processes.
For example: Sent to the President for approval. - Federal law-making process
Example 2: Sent to the Governor for approval. – State law-making process
Return to Original Chamber
Final versions of the bill must be identical in both Chambers.
GOVERNOR CONSIDERATION
Governor can sign the bill into law, allow the bill to become law without signing, or veto the bill.
GOVERNOR FINAL ACTIONS
If the Governor vetoes the bill, the Legislature may override his/her veto by a 2/3 vote.
LAW
If the Governor does not veto the bill, the bill becomes law.

25. In summary, this is how a law is made:
IDEA
From citizen, group or legislator .
BILL DRAFTED
Bill written by staff and assigned a number.
Consideration by Opposite Chamber
Same process as original Chamber.
GOVERNOR CONSIDERATION
Governor can sign the bill into law, allow the bill to become law without signing, or veto the bill.
GOVERNOR FINAL ACTIONS
If the Governor vetoes the bill, the Legislature may override his/her veto by a 2/3 vote.
LAW
If the Governor does not veto the bill, the bill becomes law.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT
/MEETING
Bill is reviewed, voted on, and can be placed on calendar or allowed to die in committee.

26. Check For Understanding
What are some important words to look for in this question?
Which answers can we eliminate?