US Government Structure Quiz

Legislative Process in Georgia

• Only the House of Representatives can introduce bills to raise revenue, appropriate funds, or impeach officials.
• The Senate determines the guilt or innocence of impeached officials and approves or rejects gubernatorial appointments.

Leadership Structure

• The speaker of the House is elected by House members and acts as the head of the House.
• The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate, elected statewide by popular vote.
• The Senate has a president pro tempore, and the House elects a speaker pro tempore to substitute in the absence of their leaders.

Committee System

• Committees are central to the legislative process, with around 36 regular committees in the House and about 26 in the Senate.
• Each representative serves on 2-3 committees focusing on areas like public safety, education, and transportation.
• The lieutenant governor appoints committee chairs in the Senate.

Types of Committees

• Standing Committees: Permanent committees that oversee specific areas such as Ways and Means, Appropriations, and Judiciary.
• Special Committees:
  • Interim Committees (Ad Hoc): Address specific issues between legislative sessions.
  • Conference Committees: Comprised of 3 senators and 3 representatives to resolve differences in bill versions between the House and Senate.
  • Joint Committees: Include members from both houses to discuss shared topics or issues.

Bill to Law Process

• A bill must undergo multiple steps to become law:
  • Drafting: Writers create the bill's text with legal assistance.
  • Introduction: A senator or representative introduces it to their house.
  • Committee Consideration: Bills are studied, amended, or rejected.
  • Floor Consideration: Members vote; a majority is required for the bill to advance to the other house.
  • Governor Consideration: Following approval from both houses, the bill reaches the governor who can sign, veto, or take no action.

Legislative Branch Overview

• The General Assembly serves as Georgia's legislative branch and is bicameral, comprising the House of Representatives (at least 180 members) and the Senate (at least 56 members).

Membership Qualifications

• Members must be U.S. citizens, Georgia residents for two years, and have been legally residing in their districts for one year.
• Senators must be at least 25 years old, while representatives must be at least 21.

Terms and Elections

• Both chambers serve two-year terms with no limit on consecutive terms.
• Elections are held every even-numbered year for all members of the General Assembly.

Session and Duties

• The legislative session begins on the second Monday in January and lasts 40 days.
• Responsibilities include law-making, budget approval, and constitutional amendments.

Funding and Spending Overview

• Total revenue for Georgia in 2023 was $37.7 billion, while expenditures amounted to $30.2 billion.

Revenue Sources

• Individual Income Tax: Accounts for 45% of total revenue.
• Corporate Income Tax: Flat rate of 6% on company earnings, contributing 5% of revenue.
• Sales Tax: State charges a 4% tax on retail sales, generating significant revenue, recently impacted by exemptions on unprepared food.
• Additional revenues include insurance premium tax, property tax, excise tax, estate tax, and non-tax revenue from fees and the state lottery.

Non-Tax Revenue

• Fees from state services contribute 3-4% of revenue.
• The settlement program from a tobacco lawsuit provides 2% of funds.
• The state lottery, established in 1993, generates 5% of revenue, specifically earmarked for educational programs.

Test your knowledge of the U.S. government structure, focusing on the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This quiz covers aspects like revenue bills, impeachment processes, and leadership roles. Perfect for students studying American government.