How can a line-item veto be overridden in Georgia?

In Georgia, the process to override a line-item veto requires a two-thirds vote from the General Assembly. This means that both the House and the Senate must come together to achieve this supermajority. The rationale behind needing such a significant threshold is to ensure that there is substantial legislative support for overriding the governor's decision, reflecting a wider consensus among elected representatives.

The line-item veto itself allows the governor to reject specific provisions of a bill while enacting the rest, which can be a powerful tool for managing the budget and addressing specific concerns. Because the governor's veto represents an important check on legislative power, the requirement for a two-thirds majority to override it emphasizes the need for well-supported legislative action to counteract the executive's authority.

This is an essential part of Georgia's legislative process, ensuring that both branches of government maintain a balance of power while allowing for accountability and responsiveness to public needs.