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GA Gov Exam GCSU / Verified
Questions & Correct Answers /
Latest 2025/202
What kind of activities do legislators engage in as part of their overall
responsibility to "represent and serve" their constituents? - correct-answer-
making speeches at various clubs and gatherings, contacting state agencies to
resolve problems or claims that constituents may have, providing information and
interviews to the news media and to interest groups, answering letters and phone
calls from citizens complainin
Why do most state legislators have other full-time jobs? - correct-answer-because
it's not a year round job; and salary is very low
Why did the Georgia Senate change from having their legislative districts
represent counties? What are senate district lines based on now? - correct-
answer-until the 1960s, many state legislatures were based on the logic that the
upper chambers representing counties and their lower chambers representing
people. The U.S. supreme court eventually declared such arrangements on the
state level to be unconstitutional. The basis of representation in both chambers is
population. within each chamber, all districts must have equal populations or "one
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man, one vote." accordingly, after each census, the district lines have to be
redrawn in order to reflect population growth and decline.
What does it mean that Georgia has a bicameral legislature? Which chamber is
often called the "upper house" and which the "lower house"? How long is the
term of office for an elected member of the House or Senate? - correct-answer-
the general assembly has 2 legislative chambers; upper: senate
lower: house of representatives; both have two year terms
In what ways is the composition of the General Assembly not representative of
the broader public? - correct-answer-
Legislative leadership posts - correct-answer--Speaker of house is still most
important in house
-Lieutenant governor is most important in senate [similar to VP but is much more
involved and has a lot more power (elected by the people, answers to people not
governor)]
-House Speaker of Pro Temp and Senate President Pro Temp
-Majority/minority leaders/whips
-Administration Floor Leader in house and senate (represents governor)
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What major role do standing subject committees play? Why are some bills
"shelved" when sent to standing committees? - correct-answer-1) nearly all such
bills are either basically flawed, and underserving of serious attention, or are so
controversial that compromise is impossible at least in the short run.
2) sometimes bills are shelved in order to allow more time to pass so that passions
will die down or so that public opinion becomes clearer
Process of passing legislation, including the role of conference committee -
correct-answer-after the bill is approved by the standing committee, it is then sent
to the Rules Committee to be placed on the calendar for floor action. the
legislation will finally receive a vote in the full chamber if approved by the rules of
committee. if approved by the floor, then the bill must go through the same
process in the other chamber. before the bill is approved by the General Assembly
and sent to the governor, it must first pass in both chambers with the exact same
wording. if the senate and house versions are not identical, then a conference
committee with both house and senate membership is appointed by the presiding
officers to attempt a compromise.
When is the General Assembly's legislative session? - correct-answer-for the first
few months of the year
Approximately how many courts make up the Georgia judiciary? What is their
basic function? - correct-answer-1,000; interpret and apply state law to resolve
conflicts.
GA Gov Exam GCSU / Verified
Questions & Correct Answers /
Latest 2025/202
What kind of activities do legislators engage in as part of their overall
responsibility to "represent and serve" their constituents? - correct-answer-
making speeches at various clubs and gatherings, contacting state agencies to
resolve problems or claims that constituents may have, providing information and
interviews to the news media and to interest groups, answering letters and phone
calls from citizens complainin
Why do most state legislators have other full-time jobs? - correct-answer-because
it's not a year round job; and salary is very low
Why did the Georgia Senate change from having their legislative districts
represent counties? What are senate district lines based on now? - correct-
answer-until the 1960s, many state legislatures were based on the logic that the
upper chambers representing counties and their lower chambers representing
people. The U.S. supreme court eventually declared such arrangements on the
state level to be unconstitutional. The basis of representation in both chambers is
population. within each chamber, all districts must have equal populations or "one
,2|Page
man, one vote." accordingly, after each census, the district lines have to be
redrawn in order to reflect population growth and decline.
What does it mean that Georgia has a bicameral legislature? Which chamber is
often called the "upper house" and which the "lower house"? How long is the
term of office for an elected member of the House or Senate? - correct-answer-
the general assembly has 2 legislative chambers; upper: senate
lower: house of representatives; both have two year terms
In what ways is the composition of the General Assembly not representative of
the broader public? - correct-answer-
Legislative leadership posts - correct-answer--Speaker of house is still most
important in house
-Lieutenant governor is most important in senate [similar to VP but is much more
involved and has a lot more power (elected by the people, answers to people not
governor)]
-House Speaker of Pro Temp and Senate President Pro Temp
-Majority/minority leaders/whips
-Administration Floor Leader in house and senate (represents governor)
, 3|Page
What major role do standing subject committees play? Why are some bills
"shelved" when sent to standing committees? - correct-answer-1) nearly all such
bills are either basically flawed, and underserving of serious attention, or are so
controversial that compromise is impossible at least in the short run.
2) sometimes bills are shelved in order to allow more time to pass so that passions
will die down or so that public opinion becomes clearer
Process of passing legislation, including the role of conference committee -
correct-answer-after the bill is approved by the standing committee, it is then sent
to the Rules Committee to be placed on the calendar for floor action. the
legislation will finally receive a vote in the full chamber if approved by the rules of
committee. if approved by the floor, then the bill must go through the same
process in the other chamber. before the bill is approved by the General Assembly
and sent to the governor, it must first pass in both chambers with the exact same
wording. if the senate and house versions are not identical, then a conference
committee with both house and senate membership is appointed by the presiding
officers to attempt a compromise.
When is the General Assembly's legislative session? - correct-answer-for the first
few months of the year
Approximately how many courts make up the Georgia judiciary? What is their
basic function? - correct-answer-1,000; interpret and apply state law to resolve
conflicts.
