House members throw paper in the air to celebrate the end of the 2015 legislative session.

House members throw paper in the air to celebrate the end of the 2015 legislative session. / AP Photo

 

 

March 24 is the final day of the 2016 Georgia legislative session, Day 40, Sine Die.

Sine Die comes from a Latin phrase that means, roughly, “without picking a day for meeting again.” Both chambers of the state legislature are required by law to finish their business by the end of the legislative day on Sine Die.

For lawmakers, it’s the final opportunity to get bills passed through both the House and Senate. Sometimes, that means working late into the night to get bills pushed through.

Legislation that doesn’t get approved by both chambers by the end of the session is effectively dead. Next year kicks of a brand new two-year legislative session, which means lawmakers will have to start all their bills from scratch.

Bills approved by both chambers by the end of Sine Die head to the desk of Gov. Nathan Deal. He has 40 days to sign or veto the legislation.

 

Anything Deal doesn’t sign or veto within that time period becomes law automatically.

 

 

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