Legislative Process Georgia

Georgia's Legislative Branch DT #5 Re-Performance Lesson

How A Bill Becomes A Law

In order for a bill to become a law, it must go through a specific legislative process. (1) Drafting: With the help of lawyers, legislators write the text of the bill. (2) Introduction: Either a senator or representative introduces the bill to the house s/he belongs to. (3) Committee Consideration: The committee studies the bill and decides whether or not it should become a law.

Multiple Choice

Step 1 - A legislator introduces an idea for a ________________.

• law or bill

• new infrastructure

• court case

• hearing

Multiple Choice

Step 2 - A bill is formally introduced.

Step 3 - The bill is assigned to a __________________________________.

• court date

• jurisdiction

• committee

• representative

How A Bill Becomes A Law

Step 4- Floor Consideration: The bill is read aloud in either the House or the Senate and members vote on the bill. If the majority votes “no”, then the bill dies. If the majority votes “yes”, then the bill goes to the other house where the process is repeated.

How A Bill Becomes A Law

Step 5 - If the committee approves the bill, it receives a third reading in front of the entire chamber (House or Senate), and the bill is now up for debate and voting.

How A Bill Becomes A Law

Step 6 - If the bill is approved, it is sent to the other chamber (House or Senate).

Multiple Choice

Step 4 - The bill is considered by a committee (It can be killed or amended)

Step 5 - If the committee approves the bill, it receives a third reading in front of the entire chamber (House or Senate), and the bill is now up for debate and voting.

Step 6 - The bill is _______________________________, it is sent to the other _________________________.

• Introduced, committee

• approved, chamber (House or Senate)

• Signed into law, chamber (House or Senate)

• Vetoed, committee

How A Bill Becomes A Law

Step 7- If the same version of the bill is passed by a majority vote in both houses, it is sent to the Governor for approval.

How A Bill Becomes A Law

Step 8- The governor can sign the bill and it becomes a law, or veto the bill. It then goes back to the General Assembly for reconsideration. They can override the governor’s veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses. *If the governor chooses to do nothing for 30 days, it will become a law.

Multiple Choice

Step 7- If the same version of the bill is passed by a __________________________ vote in both houses, it is sent to the ________________________________ for approval.

• majority, House

• majority, committee

• majority, Governor

• 75% approval, Lt. Governor

Multiple Choice

Step 8 - Which of the following is NOT one of the 3 options the governor has once a bill passes the General Assembly?

• Do nothing for 30 days and it becomes a law

• Veto the bill

• Sign the bill into law

• Look to see if the bill is constitutional