Georgia Constitution Practice Exam

What condition allows the General Assembly to pass supplementary appropriations bills?

1. They must wait for the next legislative session

2. Only if the Governor requests them

3. Only if revenue has been made available

4. They can pass them without any conditions

The correct answer is: Only if revenue has been made available

The condition that allows the General Assembly to pass supplementary appropriations bills is based on the availability of revenue. This means that for the General Assembly to enact supplementary appropriations, there must be an assurance that there are adequate financial resources available to support the proposed expenditures. This is crucial for maintaining fiscal responsibility and ensuring that any additional funding does not exacerbate budgetary constraints or result in deficit spending. The context surrounding this provision is important: supplementary appropriations often arise in response to unexpected expenses or changes in revenue forecasts, necessitating a careful evaluation of the budgetary situation. Therefore, the requirement of available revenue ensures that the state does not overextend its finances. In contrast, other options suggest actions or conditions that do not align with the financial responsibility framework typically upheld in state budgeting practices. Waiting for the next legislative session or making the appropriations contingent solely on the Governor's request would not adequately address the immediacy of financial needs that supplementary appropriations are designed to resolve. Additionally, passing appropriations without conditions would remove the necessary financial oversight, which could lead to irresponsible fiscal decisions.