Summary
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly (the state legislature) of the U.S. state of Georgia. There are currently 180 elected members. Republicans have had a majority in the chamber since 2005. The current House Speaker is David Ralston.
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The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly (the state legislature) of the U.S. state of Georgia. There are currently 180 elected members. Republicans have had a majority in the chamber since 2005. The current House Speaker is Jon G. Burns.
History
The Georgia House of Representatives was created in 1777 during the American Revolution, making it older than the U.S. Congress. During its existence, its meeting place has moved multiple times, from Savannah to Augusta, to Louisville, to Milledgeville and finally to Atlanta in 1868.[2]
In 1867, the military governor of Georgia called for an assembly in Atlanta to discuss a constitutional convention. Atlanta officials moved to make the city Georgia's new state capital, donating the location of Atlanta's first city hall. The constitutional convention agreed and the people voted to ratify the decision on April 20, 1868. The Georgia General Assembly first presided in Atlanta on July 4, 1868.[2]
On October 26, 1884, construction began on a new state capitol and was first occupied on June 15, 1889.[2]
Powers and privileges
The state constitution gives the state legislature the power to make state laws, restrict land use to protect and preserve the environment and natural resources, form a state militia under the command of the Governor of Georgia, expend public money, condemn property, zone property, participate in tourism, and control and regulate outdoor advertising.[3]
The state legislature cannot grant incorporation to private persons but may establish laws governing the incorporation process. It is also prohibited from authorizing contracts or agreements that may have the effect of or the intent of lessening competition or encouraging a monopoly.
Privileges
Members of the Georgia House of Representatives maintain two privileges during their time in office. First, no member can be arrested during session or during committee meetings except in cases of treason, felony, or "breach of the peace". Second, members are not liable for anything they might say in session or committee meetings.
Composition
According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to comprise no fewer than 180 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 180 members. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
It is the third-largest lower house of the 50 United States (behind New Hampshire (400) and Pennsylvania (203)).[4] Republicans currently have a majority, though Democrats have gained seats in recent elections.
As of 2011, attorneys account for about 16.1% of the membership of the Georgia House of Representatives, a relatively low figure.[5]
| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Democratic | Vacant | ||
| End of 155th General Assembly | 105 | 74 | 179 | 1[a] |
| End of 156th General Assembly | 103 | 76 | 179 | 1 |
| Beginning of 157th General Assembly | 101 | 79 | 180 | 0 |
| July 11, 2023[7] | 102 | 78 | 180 | 0 |
| Latest voting share | 57% | 43% | ||
Officers
The House of Representatives elects its own Speaker as well as a Speaker Pro Tempore. Speaker Jon G. Burns was elected on January 9, 2023. Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, who served as Speaker after the passing of Speaker David Ralston, was reelected to her previous position on that day as well. The Speaker Pro Tempore becomes Speaker in case of the death, resignation, or permanent disability of the Speaker. The Speaker Pro Tempore serves until a new Speaker is elected. In addition there is a Clerk of the House, who is charged with overseeing the flow of legislation through the body. The current clerk is William L. Reilly.[8]
| Office | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker of the House | Jon Burns | Republican |
| Speaker pro tempore | Jan Jones | Republican |
| Majority Leader | Chuck Efstration | Republican |
| Majority Whip | James Burchett | Republican |
| Majority Caucus Chairman | Bruce Williamson | Republican |
| Majority Caucus Vice-Chairman | Houston Gaines | Republican |
| Majority Caucus Secretary/Treasurer | Ginny Ehrhart | Republican |
| Majority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip | Rob Leverett | Republican |
| Minority Leader | James Beverly | Democratic |
| Minority Whip | Sam Park | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Chairman | Billy Mitchell | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Vice-Chairwoman | Karen Bennett | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Secretary | Park Cannon | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Treasurer | Shea Roberts | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip | Sandra Scott | Democratic |
Source:[9]
Membership
List of current representatives
As of March 2024, the membership of the House is as follows:[10]
Longest serving representatives
The following is a list of the 10 individuals who served the longest amount of time in the Georgia House of Representatives.
| Tenure | Name | Term | Party | Hometown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47 years, 361 days | Calvin Smyre | January 13, 1975 – January 9, 2023 | Democratic | Columbus |
| 2 | 42 years, 4 days | Tom Murphy | January 9, 1961 – January 13, 2003 | Democratic | Bremen |
| 3 | 41 years, 362 days | Bill Lee | January 14, 1957 – January 11, 1999 | Democratic | Forest Park |
| 4 | 41 years, 112 days | Gerald Greene | Since January 10, 1983 | Republican | Cuthbert |
| 5 | 39 years, 364 days | James Roy McCracken | January 14, 1935 – January 13, 1975 | Democratic | Avera |
| 6 | 39 years, 108 days | Butch Parrish | Since January 14, 1985 | Republican | Swainsboro |
| 7 | 38 years, 103 days | Harry D. Dixon | September 27, 1962 – January 8, 2001 | Democratic | Waycross |
| 8 | 38 years, 1 day | Tom Buck | January 9, 1967 – January 10, 2005 | Democratic | Columbus |
| 9 | 37 years, 360 days | Henry L. Reaves | January 14, 1963 – January 8, 2001 | Democratic | Quitman |
| 10 | 37 years, 118 days | Bob Hanner | September 18, 1975 – January 14, 2013 | Republican | Parrott |
Committees list
Source:[12]
- Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
- Appropriations
- Banks and Banking
- Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight
- Code Revision
- Defense and Veterans Affairs
- Economic Development and Tourism
- Education
- Ethics
- Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
- Game, Fish & Parks
- Governmental Affairs
- Health
- Higher Education
- Human Relations & Aging
- Industry and Labor
- Information and Audits
- Insurance
- Intergovernmental Coordination
- Interstate Cooperation
- Judiciary
- Judiciary Non-Civil
- Juvenile Justice
- MARTOC (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee)
- Motor Vehicles
- Natural Resources and Environment
- Public Health
- Public Safety and Homeland Security
- Reapportionment and Redistricting
- Regulated Industries
- Retirement
- Rules
- Small Business Development
- Special Committee on Healthcare
- Special Rules
- State Planning and Community Affairs
- State Properties
- Technology and Infrastructure Innovation
- Transportation
- Urban Affairs
- Ways and Means
See also
- 155th Georgia General Assembly (2019–2021)
- 154th Georgia General Assembly (2017–2018)
- 153rd Georgia General Assembly (2015–2016)
- 152nd Georgia General Assembly (2013–2014)
- 151st Georgia General Assembly (2011–2012)
- 150th Georgia General Assembly (2009–2010)
- 149th Georgia General Assembly (2007–2008)
- 148th Georgia General Assembly (2005–2006)
- 147th Georgia General Assembly (2003–2004)
- 146th Georgia General Assembly (2001–2002)
- 145th Georgia General Assembly (1999–2000)
- 144th Georgia General Assembly (1997–1998)
- 143rd Georgia General Assembly (1995–1996)
- 142nd Georgia General Assembly (1993–1994)
- 140th Georgia General Assembly (1989–1990)
- 139th Georgia General Assembly (1987–1988)
- 138th Georgia General Assembly (1985–1986)
- 137th Georgia General Assembly (1983–1984)
- 136th Georgia General Assembly (1981–1982)
- 135th Georgia General Assembly (1979–1980)
- 134th Georgia General Assembly (1977–1979)
- Georgia State Senate
Explanatory notes
- ^ Rep. Pam Stephenson resigned on September 10, 2020 and remained on the ballot in the 2020 general election unopposed. The seat is still vacant at the beginning of the 156th General Assembly pending a special election.[6]
References
- ^ "Comparison of state legislative salaries". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ a b c The Capitalization of Georgia Archived April 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Georgia State Government Archived March 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. (accessed June 2, 2013)
- ^ Article III Section VI Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Georgia Constitution (accessed June 2, 2013)
- ^ brenda erickson (October 11, 2007). "Population and Size of Legislature". Ncsl.org. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
- ^ "Georgia House of Representatives". Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ Prabhu, Maya T. "Lithonia Democratic lawmaker resigns from Georgia House". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ Vigdor, Neil (July 12, 2023). "Democrat's Defection Gives Georgia G.O.P. First Black Woman in State House". The New York Times.
- ^ "Staff Directory". Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ^ "House Leadership". www.house.ga.gov. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "Representatives (2023-2024 Regular Session)". Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ Republican Richard H. Smith died on January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Committees List". House.Ga.Gov. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
