The State Legislature Branch

A state legislature is responsible for making laws that govern the state. The powers of a state legislature vary depending on the state but generally include the authority to:

• Enact laws and regulations that govern the state
• Approve the state budget and appropriate funds for state programs and services
• Oversee state agencies and their administration of state laws and regulations
• Represent the interests and concerns of their constituents in the state capital
• Impeach and remove state officials from office
• Approve or reject appointments made by the governor
• Approve constitutional amendments and changes to state laws
• Create and dissolve state agencies
• Draw the boundaries of legislative and congressional districts.

It should be noted that the structure of state legislatures also varies from state to state, some have a unicameral legislature (one body) and others have a bicameral one, with a lower and upper chamber.