Should Legislators Introduce Bills
that Fail the “Constitutionality” Text?

Since Georgia law requires the Attorney General to be an “advisor to legislative counsel,” is determining the constitutionality of legislation the duty of the Attorney General?

As is customary after each legislative session, the Legislative Services Committee and Office of Legislative Counsel compiled and released a Summary of General Laws Enacted at the 2010 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia. It includes a brief synopsis of bills that passed and lists Code Sections that are amended or repealed or created if those bills become laws.

The Summary is a very valuable tool. In addition to the above, it indicates which bills the governor vetoed within the allotted 40-day veto period that began April 29th – the last day of the 2010 session – and ended 40 days later on June 8th.

The Constitution of the State of Georgia authorizes the General Assembly to override a veto if two-thirds of the members of both House and Senate vote to do so. It, also, authorizes the next session of the General Assembly to override vetoes that occur during the last three days of the previous session, as well as vetoes enacted after the General Assembly adjourns sine die.

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