IDEA  A legislator sees the need for a new law or change to an existing law and drafts a bill.

DRAFTING  An attorney from the Office of Legislative Counsel advises on legal issues & drafts the bill .

INTRODUCTION & FIRST READING  Bill is filed with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate.  On the Legislative day after filing, the bill is formally introduced and assigned to a standing committee.

SECOND READING In the House, on the next legislative day, the Clerk reads the bill even though its in a committee.  In the Senate the second reading comes after the bill is reported favorably from committee.

COMMITTEE ACTION Committee considers bill.  Public hearings may be held.  Committee issues final report.  Options are:

  • Recommend Do Pass
  • Recommend Do Not Pass
  • Recommend Do Pass with changes
  • Hold bill (no action taken) 

THIRD READING & PASSAGE  Clerk or Secretary prepares a General Calendar of bills where committee is favorable.  Rules Committee prepares Rules Calendar for next day’s consideration.  Presiding officer call up bills for floor debate, amendments and voting.  If bill is approved by majority, it is sent to other body and process is repeated. 

TRANSMITTAL TO OTHER CHAMBER….START THE PROCESS AGAIN  Bill is passed of second chamber passes bill and bill is returned to originating chamber.  

GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE/VETO Bill becomes law with or without Governor’s signature.  If s/he veto’s it, 2/3rds needed to override veto. 

ACT Law printed in Official Code of Georgia Annotated Act and is effective following July 1, unless a different date is included in act.