Georgia Constitution Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a restriction on the General Assembly according to the Georgia Constitution?

1. The General Assembly must follow public opinion

2. It may not enact special laws for private individuals

3. It may not create laws affecting local government based on population

4. It may not grant gratuities except as provided

The correct answer is: The General Assembly must follow public opinion

The General Assembly in Georgia operates under specific guidelines outlined in the Georgia Constitution, designed to ensure that its actions remain within the bounds of public interest and fairness. The correct response highlights that the General Assembly is not mandated to follow public opinion, which reflects the nature of representative democracy. Elected officials, while they may consider the views of their constituents, are not obligated to make decisions solely based on public sentiment. This is essential because the legislature is meant to balance popular opinion with sound policy and governance principles. Conversely, the other options point to actual restrictions placed on the General Assembly. For example, enacting special laws for private individuals is prohibited to maintain equitable treatment under the law. Laws affecting local governments based on population are restricted to ensure that laws apply uniformly regardless of the population size, preventing discrimination against less populated areas. Lastly, the limitation on granting gratuities ensures that public funds are utilized responsibly and within established legal frameworks. These restrictions collectively aim to uphold fairness, transparency, and accountability within the legislative process of Georgia.