What kind of laws do states make

The larger lower chamber is most often called the House of Representatives, but some states call it the Assembly or the House of Delegates. Its members usually serve shorter terms, often two years. State judicial branches are usually led by the state supreme court, which hears appeals from lower-level state courts. The Supreme Court focuses on correcting errors made in lower courts and therefore holds no trials. Rulings made in state supreme courts are normally binding; however, when questions are raised regarding consistency with the U.

Constitution, matters may be appealed directly to the United States Supreme Court. In some states, counties are divided into townships. Municipalities can be structured in many ways, as defined by state constitutions, and are called, variously, townships, villages, boroughs, cities, or towns. Various kinds of districts also provide functions in local government outside county or municipal boundaries, such as school districts or fire protection districts.

Municipal governments — those defined as cities, towns, boroughs except in Alaska , villages, and townships — are generally organized around a population center and in most cases correspond to the geographical designations used by the United States Census Bureau for reporting of housing and population statistics. Municipalities vary greatly in size, from the millions of residents of New York City and Los Angeles to the people who live in Jenkins, Minnesota.

Municipalities generally take responsibility for parks and recreation services, police and fire departments, housing services, emergency medical services, municipal courts, transportation services including public transportation , and public works streets, sewers, snow removal, signage, and so forth.

Whereas the federal government and state governments share power in countless ways, a local government must be granted power by the state. The minimum age requirement to get married varies by state. Marriage licenses are also issued by local governments. Gay marriage is legal in many states. Gay rights advocates and opponents of same-sex marriage advocate heavily at the state level — pushing for state laws that push their respective agenda.

Some state laws are overturned by state courts. For example, in California. However, activists on both sides of the debate are also pushing for changes at the federal level because a federal law — or a U. Supreme Court ruling — would trump state law. Two cases heard by the U. Supreme Court in on gay rights bolstered same-sex marriage rights :.

The US Congress creates and passes bills, which the President signs to law. Federal courts may review these laws and strike them down if they are determined to not agree with the US Constitution. State law follows a similar process but at the state level. State legislatures create and pass bills and the governor signs them into law. State courts may review these laws and remove them if they think they do not agree with the state's constitution.

The federal court system has 94 district courts trial courts which handle civil and criminal cases , 12 courts of appeal which have more power than district courts and the Supreme Court. District courts are the trial courts. The circuit courts are the appellate court, charged with reviewing the decisions of the trial courts.

The Supreme Court is the ultimate ruling court in the United States judicial system, and the only court established by the Constitution. Decisions made by the Supreme Court are usually of national importance. All of the other courts in the United States must follow the ruling of the Supreme Court. The Constitution grants the Supreme Court the power to judge whether federal, state, and local governments are acting within the law, and even decide if the president's action is unconstitutional.

Share this comparison:. If you read this far, you should follow us:. Diffen LLC, n. Federal vs. State Law. In the United States, state law is the law of each separate U. It exists in parallel, and sometimes in conflict with, United States federal law. The Apartheid legislation in South Africa was a chain of different laws and Acts which helped the Apartheid-government to enforce the separation of different races and consequently cement power.

With the enactment of Apartheid laws in , racial discrimination was legalised. One such example of discriminatory legislation was the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of , an apartheid law which banned marriages between people of different races.

This law was enforced for thirty six years and only repealed in The process of making a law may start with a discussion document called a Green Paper that is drafted in the Ministry or department dealing with a particular issue. This discussion document gives an idea of the general thinking that informs a particular policy. It is then published for comment, suggestions or ideas. This leads to the development of a more refined discussion document, a White Paper, which is a broad statement of government policy.

It is drafted by the relevant department or task team and the relevant parliamentary committees may propose amendments or other proposals. After this, it is sent back to the Ministry for further discussion, input and final decisions.