Georgia's State Legislature
Also known as the Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia State legislature is responsible for creating the laws of the State. Georgia's legislature is unique because it is older than the legislature of the U.S. It was formed in 1777 as a one house legislature. It was reorganized into a bicameral legislature called the Georgia Assembly in 1789.
Georgia's legislature is divided into 2 main sections. The House of Representatives and the Senate. They both have different requirements in order to be a member. They both propose and pass bills. The law has to be passed by both houses in order to be a law. The Senate confirms appointments the governor makes to Executive offices.
Legislative Sessions
Legislative sessions are held yearly to to propose bills. It is a 40 day period where Lieutenant Governor leads the Senate and the Speaker of the House leads the House of Representatives. The leading officer determines order of business. It controls debate and rules out suggested amendments to bills. It enforces rules and controls meeting times. It counts up votes on any issue that is voted on.
The legislature has 6 main categories that they can pass laws, amend, or take out of. They are public health, taxes, criminal matters and punishments, regulation of businesses and professions, property, and education.
As you can see above, the process for making a bill a law is very long. It has to be introduced, discussed over, decided whether or not to passed. Then it has to be sent to the other house. The other house looks at it. If they pass it without any amendments, they take it to the governor. If they make amendments to the bill, then they take it back to the original house. If the original house agrees to the amendments, then they take it to the governor. The governor decides whether to veto it or not. If not, then it will be made a law.
Here are the requirements that have to be met in order to be a member of the Senate and the House of Representatives
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