1. Legislative Branch
Georgia Studies

2. What is the legislative branch of Georgia's government called?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) Congress
B.) General Assembly
C.) House of Commons
D.) Unicameral
E.)

3. What is the primary function of the legislative branch of government?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) Enforcing laws
B.) Carrying out laws
C.) Making laws
D.)
E.)

4. Qualifications of Legislators
Senators
Must be at least 25
Live in district they represent
Legal residents of GA for at least two years
Representatives
Must be at least 21

5. Terms and Elections
Elected in even number years during general elections
Senators
Serve two years
Representatives

6. Duties
GA meetings begin on 2nd Monday of January each year for their regular session
Session usually lasts for two months or less
For rest of their two year terms they meet in special sessions and committees
Most important duty is making laws and passing budget (proposed by governor)
Can change constitution (amend) with a 2/3’s vote in GA

7. Organization of General Assembly
Most work takes place in committees
Each house has a majority and a minority power
Majority party is the political party with the most members in the house
Minority party has the fewest members
Leaders of committees tend to represent the majority party

8. Senate (56)
Lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate (leader of Senate)
The other leader in the Senate is the president pro tempore (leader of the Senate majority party)
There is also a majority and minority leader for each party
There are 26 committees in the Senate (each Senator is on at least three committees)

9. House of Representatives (180)
There are 36 regular committees in the House of Representatives (most members serve on 2 to 3)
Majority party tends to control the House because there are two leaders from majority
Speaker of the House
Majority Leader
Minority leader is leader of minority party in the house
Floor leader usually represents the party of the governor
Leaders try to get the interests and ideas of their party heard

10. The Legislative Process
See “How a Bill Becomes a Law” handout
Drafting – written by legislators
Introduction – By senator or representative to house in which they serve
Committee Consideration – studied and changes or improvements are considered (other officials, bill’s author, lobbyists or public may comment)
Floor Consideration – Proposed before each house for a vote
Governor consideration – either signed into law or vetoed (If no action taken, the bill becomes a law)

11. In order the run for state senate in Georgia, what is the minimum age?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) 35
B.) 30
C.) 21
D.) 25
E.)

12. What is the primary function of the legislative branch of government?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) Carry out the laws
B.) Interpret the laws
C.) Make the laws
D.) Enforce the laws
E.)

13. What is the legislative branch of Georgia's government called?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) House of Commons
B.) Congress
C.) General Assembly
D.) Unicameral
E.)

14. How long is the term for a senator or respresentative in the GA General Assembly?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) 4 years
B.) 1 year
C.) 6 years
D.) 2 years
E.)

15. Which of the following is a requirement of someone who wants to run for the General Assembly?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) Must have lived in Georgia for a minimum of 10 years
B.) Must be a resident of the district they choose to represent
C.) Must have a minimum of 5 years prior government experience
D.) Must be a resident of a North American province
E.)

16. A.) 2-1-4-3 B.) 1-2-4-3 C.) 2-4-1-3 D.) 4-2-1-3 E.)
What is the correct sequence for a bill to become a law?
1. The bill is assigned to a committee.
2. Copies of bills are given to the legislator.
3. The governor may sign the bill.
4. The bill is sent to full chamber.
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.)
B.)
C.)
D.)
E.)

17. The main purpose of a legislative committee is to
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) review bills before they come to the floor for discussion.
B.) draft bills that have the best chance to become law.
C.) propose bills to be considered by the full chamber.
D.) decide which bills to send to the governor.
E.)

18. What are the two parts of Georgia's legislative branch?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) governor and General Assembly
B.) secretary of state and senate
C.) senate and house of representatives
D.) supreme court and governor
E.)

19. Who presides over the Georgia House of Representatives?
iRespond Question
A.) The Lieutenant Governor
B.) The Speaker of the House
C.) The majority party leader
D.) The minority party leader
E.)

20. Who presides over the Georgia State Senate?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) The majority party leader
B.) The Speaker of the House
C.) The Lieutenant Governor
D.) The minority party leader
E.)