Executive Branch

The Executive Branch

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• I can explain the qualifications for the governor and lieutenant governor and their role in the executive branch of state government.

• I can describe how the executive branch fulfills its role through state agencies that administer programs and enforce laws.

Match

Match each branch of government to what it does

• carries out or enforces laws

• interprets the laws

• makes or creates laws

Executive Branch

Judicial Branch

Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

• Legislative Branch

Open Ended

What does Georgia's legislative branch do?

​The Governor

• The governor of Georgia is the state's chief executive.

• He or she is the head of the executive branch.

• To qualify for the governor's office, a candidate must be:

  • a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years

  • a Georgia resident for at least 6 years

  • at least 30 years old

• The term of office is four years, with a limit of two consecutive terms at a time.

• The governor is elected by the citizens of Georgia.

• The governor serves as:

  • Chief Executive Officier

  • Chief Law Enforcement Officer

  • Commander-in-Chief

​Current Governor of Georgia: Brian Kemp

​The Governor

• The governor of Georgia is the state's chief executive.

• He or she is the head of the executive branch.

• The governor serves as:

  • Chief Executive Officier

    • oversees the executive branch, proposes new state programs and laws, proposes the state budget, and appoints members of state boards & certain other executive positions; may also call special sessions of the legislature & may approve or veto laws proposed by the legislature

  • Chief Law Enforcement Officer

    • makes sure that Georgia’s laws are followed as required by the Georgia Constitution & oversee public safety agencies, such as the Georgia State Patrol

  • Commander-in-Chief

    • serves as commander-in-chief of the Georgia State Defense Force and Georgia National Guard

​The Lieutenant Governor

• The lieutenant governor is the second-highest elected official in Georgia.

• The qualifications for this office are identical to those of the governor's office:

  • must be a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years

  • must be a Georgia resident for at least 6 years

  • must be at least 30 years old

• The term of office is also four years, but there is no limit on the number of consecutive terms that can be served.

• Lieutenant governor candidates do not run on the same ticket as the candidates for governor. They run separately, which means that the winners could theoretically be from two different political parties.

• If the governor dies or leaves in office, the lieutenant governor takes over until the next general election.

• The lieutenant governor’s other main duty is presiding over the Senate, a very important role in the legislative process.

​Current Lieutenant Governor of Georgia: Burt Jones

Multiple Choice

Dan is 50 years old and has been a U.S. citizen since birth. He has lived in Georgia for the past five years.

Can Dan serve as governor or lieutenant governor of Georgia?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Sarah is 28 years old and has been a U.S. citizen for six years. She has lived in Georgia for 10 years.

Can Sarah serve as governor or lieutenant governor of Georgia?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Mary is 42 years old and has been a U.S. citizen since birth. She has lived in Georgia for 15 years.

Can Mary serve as governor or lieutenant governor of Georgia?

• Yes

• No

​Agencies and Boards

• As head of the executive branch, the governor is responsible for making sure laws are carried out and enforced.

• State agencies help the governor get this job done.

  • administer programs that help fulfill the executive branch’s responsibilities for the state of Georgia

  • each agency is a specialized organization that handles the operations of a specific category of government services, such as education or transportation

• Certain agencies are headed by elected officials, called constitutional officers, because the state constitution requires it.

  • These elected officials have powers independent of the governor to run their agencies. However, the governor often still plays a role.

• Some other agencies are headed by an appointed official instead of an elected.

​Agencies and Boards

• Many agencies operate under the control of a board that oversees the agency and helps develop its policies. A board makes sure its department runs smoothly and that laws are enforced. It may also gather citizen input and provide feedback to executive branch officials.

• Here are names and responsibilities of some of Georgia’s agencies, plus the boards that oversee them:

  • Georgia Department of Education (DoE)

    • Certifies teachers, sets standards for K-12 education, and distributes funds for textbooks

    • Overseen by: Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Schools

  • Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS)

    • Provides assistance for the aging, family and children’s services, and mental health

    • Overseen by: Board of Human Services

  • Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS)

    • Enforces traffic laws, helps reduce crime, and responds to natural and man-made disasters

    • Overseen by: Board of Public Safety

​Agencies and Boards

• Here are names and responsibilities of some of Georgia’s agencies, plus the boards that oversee them:

  • Georgia Department of Transportation (DoT)

    • Plans, constructs, and maintains highways and bridges; also supports other forms of transportation, such as buses and bicycle trails

    • Overseen by: Board of Transportation

  • Georgia Department of Economic Development (DED)

    • Supports Georgia’s economy through local and international business expansion, technology development, tourism, film, and music

    • Overseen by: Board of Industry, Trade, and Tourism

  • Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

    • Helps conserve and protect natural and cultural resources by managing state parks, historic sites, and fishing and wildlife areas

    • Overseen by: Board of Natural Resources

Multiple Choice

Who helps the governor make sure the laws are being carried out and enforced in the state?

• the courts

• state agencies

• police officers

• the lieutenant governor

Match

Match the issues to the agency that most likely help or be responsible for it

• distribution of school funds & teacher certification

• public fishing areas

• international trade & small business development

Department of Education

Department of Natural Resources

Department of Economic Development

• Department of Education

• Department of Natural Resources

• Department of Economic Development

Match

Match the issues to the agency that most likely help or be responsible for it

• maintenance of highways/interstate & bridge construction

• reducing crime

• children's services & mental health services

Department of Transportation

Department of Public Safety

Department of Human Services

• Department of Transportation

• Department of Public Safety

• Department of Human Services