|
|
1. Legislator sees the need for a new law or changes in existing law and
decides to introduce a bill.
2. Legislator goes to Office of Legislative Counsel. There, attorney advises
legislator on legal issues and drafts a bill.
3. Legislator files bill with the Clerk of the House of Secretary of Senate.
4. On legislative day after filing, bill is formally introduced. In chamber,
bill’s title is read during period of 1st readings.
5. Immediately after 1st reading, presiding officer assigns bill to a
standing committee.
6. In the House only, on next legislative day, Clerk reads bill’s title (2d
reading), in chamber, although actual bill is now in committee. In Senate,
2d reading comes after bill is reported favorably from committee.
7. Bill considered by committee. Author and other legislators may testify.
If controversial, public hearings may be held.
8. If bill is reported favorably by committee, it is, returned to Clerk of
Secretary.
9. Clerk of Secretary prepares a General Calendar of bills favorably
reported from committee. For first 15 days of session, in House (10 days in
the Senate) presiding officer calls up bills from this calendar for floor
action.
10. For the last 25 days of session, presiding officer calls up bills, from
the Rules Calendar for floor consideration.
11. For the last 25 days of session, presiding officer calls up bills, from
the Rules Calendar for floor consideration.
12. Once presiding officer calls bill up from Rules Calendar, Clerk reads
bill’s title (3d reading). Bill is now ready for floor debate, amendments,
and voting.
13. After debate, main question is called and members vote. If bill is
approved by majority of total membership of that house, it is sent to the
other house.
14. a) If second house passes bill, it is returned to house where bill was
introduced. If changes are accepted, (to 14) b) If the house rejects changes
and second house insists, a conference committee may be appointed. If
committee report is accepted by both houses, (to 14)
15. Bill is enrolled and sent to the Governor (if requested). Otherwise, all
enrolled bills sent to Governor following adjournment sine die.
16. Governor may sign bill or do nothing, and bill becomes law. Governor may
veto bill, which requires two-thirds of members of each house to override.
17. Laws enacted at the session are incorporated into the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated. An act becomes effective the following July 1, unless a
different effective date is provided in the act.
|
 |
|
|
| |
“The only pure and consistent advocates for a child are his or her parents
or family members,” explains Betsy Primm, coordinator of Georgia Learning
Resource Services Metro-North branch. “That doesn’t mean that educators
don’t advocate every day for their students, but year in and year out, that
is a parent’s role.” |
|
 |
|
