1. What is the purpose of the Indiana State House?

2. The State House is a very important place for our state.
It is where ideas for laws are made. (These ideas for laws are called bills.)
These new laws or bills are then voted on.
Some laws in the State House become new laws that citizens must follow.

3. What are some laws you can think of and why are having laws important to our state?

4. What is the purpose of fair laws in our state?
Laws can affect the lives of those citizens that live in Indiana. Think of a law that would be really unfair.

5. How are we protected from unfair laws?
There are three branches of government that prevent one branch from becoming too powerful and creating unfair laws.

6. What are the three branches in state government called?
Indiana
Government

7. Each “branch” of government has a special job and is found in the State House.
Legislative Branch- writes bills and votes on which bills will become law.
Executive Branch- makes sure state laws are carried out.
Judicial Branch- decides if state laws are carried out fairly.

8. Legislative Branch
The job of the legislative branch is to write new laws known as bills. Then they vote on these bills and some are passed and become new laws.

9. Legislative Branch is made up of two houses.
The Senate- 50 members who serve four year terms.
The House of Representatives- 100 members who serve two-year terms.
Both houses are voted by voters living in their assigned district.

10. Let’s meet the members that represent our district.
Click here to meet the members!

11. What has to happen for a bill to become a law in the Legislative Branch?
In order for a bill to become a law it must pass both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Indiana House
of Representatives
Indiana
Senate

12. The Executive Branch
The executive branch makes sure that the state laws are carried out. The governor is the leader of the executive branch. Indiana’s voters elect a governor to serve a four-year term.

13. Does anyone know the name of Indiana’s serving governor?
Eric Holcomb

14. Executive Branch
The governor has many important jobs. One duty is to create a state budget or plan of how to spend the state’s money.
Another important job is the governor can veto a bill from the legislative branch.

15. Executive Branch
Along with the governor, there are other important members of the executive branch. A few include the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.

16. Judicial Branch
The judicial branch is made of a group of judges. The judicial branch decides whether or not the laws passed by the legislative branch are fair. The judicial branch also makes sure laws are carried out fairly.