Legislature facts for kids
A legislature is a group of people who are chosen to make laws for a country, state, or city. The word "legislature" comes from Latin, meaning "those who write the laws."
Members of a legislature are usually either elected by citizens or appointed to their positions. The rules for how a legislature works are usually written in a country's constitution.
Many countries call their legislature a Parliament, Congress, or National Assembly. Sometimes, a legislature has two main groups or "houses" of members. This is called a "bicameral" legislature. If a legislature has only one group of members, it's called a "unicameral" legislature.
Smaller areas like cities or districts also have groups that make local laws. These are often called councils.
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What Legislatures Do
Legislatures have several important jobs. Their main job is to create and vote on new laws. These laws affect everyone living in that area.
They also often approve government budgets. This means they decide how public money will be spent. Legislatures can also oversee other parts of the government to make sure they are doing their jobs correctly.
Types of Legislatures
Legislatures can be found at different levels of government.
National Legislatures
These legislatures make laws for an entire country. They often have different names. For example, the United States has a Congress. Germany has the Bundestag. Japan has the Diet. The United Kingdom has a Parliament.
Some examples of national legislatures include:
- Parliament (used in many countries like the UK, Canada, Australia)
- Congress (used in the United States, Peru)
- National Assembly (used in France, Pakistan)
- Bundestag (Germany)
- Knesset (Israel)
- Legislative Yuan (Taiwan)
Sub-National Legislatures
These groups make laws for smaller areas within a country, like states, provinces, or territories.
- In the United States, states have their own legislatures. They are often called the General Assembly or Legislative Assembly.
- In Canada, provinces and territories have Legislative Assemblies. Quebec has a National Assembly.
- In Australia, states have Legislative Assemblies or Houses of Assembly.
- In the United Kingdom, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales have their own parliaments or assemblies. Examples include the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.
Images for kids
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The Palace of Westminster in London, where the Parliament of the United Kingdom meets.
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Map showing different names for national legislatures around the world.
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The Congress of the Republic of Peru meeting in the Legislative Palace in 2010.
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The British House of Commons, which is one of its two legislative houses.
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The Australian Senate, one of Australia's two legislative houses.
See also
In Spanish: Poder legislativo para niños
