Georgia State House

Georgia State House

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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33°44′57″N 84°23′18″W / 33.749070°N 84.388362°W / 33.749070; -84.388362

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 (248 years ago) (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

Map of current partisan composition of legislative districts for the House of Representatives:
  Democratic representative
  Republican representative
  Vacant

According to the Georgia 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]

AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
RepublicanDemocraticVacant
End of 155th General Assembly105741791[a]
End of 156th General Assembly103761791
Beginning of 157th General Assembly101791800
July 11, 2023[7]102781800
Latest voting share57%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 following the death 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]

OfficeRepresentativeParty
Speaker of the HouseJon BurnsRepublican
Speaker pro temporeJan JonesRepublican
Majority LeaderChuck EfstrationRepublican
Majority WhipJames BurchettRepublican
Majority Caucus ChairmanBruce WilliamsonRepublican
Majority Caucus Vice-ChairmanHouston GainesRepublican
Majority Caucus Secretary/TreasurerGinny EhrhartRepublican
Majority Caucus Chief Deputy WhipRob LeverettRepublican
Minority LeaderCarolyn HugleyDemocratic
Minority WhipSam ParkDemocratic
Minority Caucus ChairmanTanya MillerDemocratic
Minority Caucus Vice-ChairwomanSpencer FryeDemocratic
Minority Caucus SecretaryPark CannonDemocratic
Minority Caucus TreasurerSolomon AdesanyaDemocratic
Minority Caucus Chief Deputy WhipSaira DraperDemocratic

Source:[9]

Membership

List of current representatives

As of January 2025, the membership of the House is as follows:[10]

DistrictRepresentativePartySinceResidenceCounties represented
1Mike CameronRepublican2021RossvilleDade, part of Walker
2Steve TarvinRepublican2014ChickamaugaParts of Catoosa, Walker, and Whitfield
3Mitchell HornerRepublican2023RinggoldPart of Catoosa
4Kasey CarpenterRepublican2017DaltonPart of Whitfield
5Matt BartonRepublican2019CalhounParts of Floyd and Gordon
6Jason RidleyRepublican2017ChatsworthMurray, parts of Gordon and Whitfield
7Johnny ChastainRepublican2023Blue RidgeFannin, Gilmer, part of Dawson
8Stan GunterRepublican2021BlairsvilleTowns, Union, part of White
9Will WadeRepublican2021DawsonvilleParts of Dawson, Lumpkin, and White
10Victor AndersonRepublican2021CorneliaRabun, part of Habersham
11Rick JasperseRepublican2010JasperPickens, parts of Cherokee and Forsyth
12Eddie LumsdenRepublican2013ArmucheeChattooga, part of Floyd
13Katie DempseyRepublican2007RomePart of Floyd
14Mitchell ScogginsRepublican2019CartersvilleParts of Bartow and Cherokee
15Matthew GambillRepublican2019CartersvillePart of Bartow
16Trey KelleyRepublican2013CedartownPolk, part of Paulding
17Martin MomtahanRepublican2019DallasPart of Paulding
18Tyler SmithRepublican2021BremenHaralson, parts of Carroll and Paulding
19Joseph GullettRepublican2019DallasParts of Cobb and Paulding
20Charlice ByrdRepublican2021WoodstockPart of Cherokee
21Brad ThomasRepublican2021Holly SpringsPart of Cherokee
22Jordan RidleyRepublican2023WoodstockParts of Cherokee and Cobb
23Mandi BallingerRepublican2013CantonPart of Cherokee
24Carter BarrettRepublican2023CummingPart of Forsyth
25Todd JonesRepublican2017CummingParts of Forsyth and Fulton
26Lauren McDonaldRepublican2021CummingPart of Forsyth
27Lee HawkinsRepublican2013GainesvilleParts of Hall and Lumpkin
28Brent CoxRepublican2023DawsonvilleParts of Forsyth and Hall
29Matt DubnikRepublican2017GainesvillePart of Hall
30Derrick McCollumRepublican2023Chestnut MountainParts of Gwinnett and Hall
31Emory DunahooRepublican2011GillsvilleParts of Hall and Jackson
32Chris ErwinRepublican2019HomerBanks, Stephens, parts of Habersham and Jackson
33Alan PowellRepublican1991HartwellFranklin, Hart, part of Madison
34Devan SeabaughRepublican2021MariettaPart of Cobb
35Lisa CampbellDemocratic2023KennesawPart of Cobb
36Ginny EhrhartRepublican2019Powder SpringsPart of Cobb
37Mary Frances WilliamsDemocratic2019MariettaPart of Cobb
38David WilkersonDemocratic2011Powder SpringsPart of Cobb
39Terry CummingsDemocratic2023MabletonPart of Cobb
40Kimberly NewRepublican2023Villa RicaParts of Douglas and Paulding
41Michael SmithDemocratic2013MariettaPart of Cobb
42Gabriel SanchezDemocratic2025Part of Cobb
43Solomon AdesanyaDemocratic2023MariettaPart of Cobb
44Don ParsonsRepublican1995MariettaParts of Cherokee and Cobb
45Sharon CooperRepublican1997MariettaPart of Cobb
46John CarsonRepublican2011MariettaParts of Cherokee and Cobb
47Jan JonesRepublican2003MiltonParts of Cherokee and Fulton
48Scott HiltonRepublican2023Peachtree CornersParts of Fulton and Gwinnett
49Chuck MartinRepublican2003AlpharettaPart of Fulton
50Michelle AuDemocratic2023Johns CreekPart of Fulton
51Esther PanitchDemocratic2023Sandy SpringsPart of Fulton
52Shea RobertsDemocratic2021AtlantaParts of DeKalb and Fulton
53Deborah SilcoxRepublican2023Sandy SpringsPart of Fulton
54Betsy HollandDemocratic2019AtlantaPart of Fulton
55Inga WillisDemocratic2023AtlantaPart of Fulton
56Bryce BerryDemocratic2025Part of Fulton
57Stacey EvansDemocratic2021AtlantaPart of Fulton
58Park CannonDemocratic2016AtlantaPart of Fulton
59Phil OlaleyeDemocratic2023AtlantaPart of Fulton
60Sheila JonesDemocratic2005AtlantaParts of Cobb and Fulton
61Mekyah McQueenDemocratic2025Parts of Cobb and Fulton
62Tanya F. MillerDemocratic2023AtlantaPart of Fulton
63Kim SchofieldDemocratic2017AtlantaPart of Fulton
64Sylvia Wayfer BakerDemocratic2025Part of Douglas
65Robert DawsonDemocratic2025Parts of Coweta and Fulton
66Kimberly AlexanderDemocratic2013HiramPart of Douglas
67Lydia GlaizeDemocratic2023FairburnParts of Coweta and Fulton
68Derrick JacksonDemocratic2023TyroneParts of Fayette and Fulton
69Debra BazemoreDemocratic2017South FultonParts of Fayette and Fulton
70Lynn SmithRepublican1997NewnanParts of Carroll and Coweta
71Justin HowardRepublican2025Part of Carroll
72David HuddlestonRepublican2023RoopvilleHeard, parts of Carroll and Troup
73Josh BonnerRepublican2017FayettevilleParts of Coweta and Fayette
74Robert FlournoyDemocratic2025Parts of Clayton and Henry
75Eric Bell IIDemocratic2023JonesboroPart of Clayton
76Sandra ScottDemocratic2011RexPart of Clayton
77Rhonda BurnoughDemocratic2017RiverdalePart of Clayton
78Demetrius DouglasDemocratic2013StockbridgeParts of Clayton and Henry
79Yasmin NealDemocratic2021JonesboroPart of Clayton
80Long TranDemocratic2023DunwoodyPart of DeKalb
81Noelle KahaianRepublican2025Part of Henry
82Karen MathiakRepublican2017GriffinParts of Fayette and Spalding
83Karen LuptonDemocratic2023ChambleePart of DeKalb
84Mary Margaret OliverDemocratic2003DecaturPart of DeKalb
85Karla DrennerDemocratic2001Avondale EstatesPart of DeKalb
86Imani BarnesDemocratic2023TuckerPart of DeKalb
87Viola DavisDemocratic2019Stone MountainPart of DeKalb
88Billy MitchellDemocratic2003Stone MountainParts of DeKalb and Gwinnett
89Omari CrawfordDemocratic2023DecaturPart of DeKalb
90Saira DraperDemocratic2023AtlantaPart of DeKalb
91Angela MooreDemocratic2021StonecrestParts of DeKalb and Rockdale
92Rhonda TaylorDemocratic2021ConyersPart of Rockdale
93Doreen CarterDemocratic2015LithoniaParts of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Rockdale
94Karen BennettDemocratic2013Stone MountainParts of DeKalb and Gwinnett
95Dar'shun KendrickDemocratic2011LithoniaParts of DeKalb and Gwinnett
96Arlene BecklesDemocratic2025Part of Gwinnett
97Ruwa RommanDemocratic2023DuluthPart of Gwinnett
98Marvin LimDemocratic2021NorcrossPart of Gwinnett
99Matt ReevesRepublican2023DuluthPart of Gwinnett
100David ClarkRepublican2015BufordParts of Forsyth, Gwinnett, and Hall
101Scott HolcombDemocratic2011AtlantaPart of DeKalb
102Gabe OkoyeDemocratic2023LawrencevillePart of Gwinnett
103Soo HongRepublican2023LawrencevilleParts of Gwinnett and Hall
104Chuck EfstrationRepublican2013MulberryParts of Barrow and Gwinnett
105Sandy DonatucciRepublican2025Part of Gwinnett
106Shelly HutchinsonDemocratic2019SnellvillePart of Gwinnett
107Sam ParkDemocratic2017LawrencevillePart of Gwinnett
108Jasmine ClarkDemocratic2019LilburnPart of Gwinnett
109Dewey McClainDemocratic2013LawrencevillePart of Gwinnett
110Segun AdeyinaDemocratic2023GraysonPart of Gwinnett
111Reynaldo MartinezRepublican2023LoganvilleParts of Gwinnett and Walton
112Bruce WilliamsonRepublican2011MonroeParts of Gwinnett and Walton
113Sharon HendersonDemocratic2021CovingtonPart of Newton
114Tim FlemingRepublican2023CovingtonMorgan, parts of Newton and Walton
115Regina Lewis-WardDemocratic2021McDonoughParts of DeKalb and Henry
116El-Mahdi HollyDemocratic2019StockbridgeParts of DeKalb and Henry
117Mary Ann SantosDemocratic2025Part of Henry
118Clint CroweRepublican2021JacksonButts, parts of Monroe and Newton
119Holt PersingerRepublican2023WinderParts of Barrow and Jackson
120Houston GainesRepublican2019AthensParts of Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, and Oconee
121Marcus WiedowerRepublican2019WatkinsvilleParts of Clarke and Oconee
122Spencer FryeDemocratic2013AthensPart of Clarke
123Rob LeverettRepublican2021ElbertonElbert, Lincoln, Wilkes, parts of Columbia and Madison
124Trey RhodesRepublican2015GreensboroGreene, Oglethorpe, Taliaferro, parts of Clarke and Putnam
125Gary RichardsonRepublican2024EvansParts of Columbia and McDuffie
126L.C. MylesDemocratic2025Burke, Jenkins, part of Richmond
127Mark NewtonRepublican2017AugustaParts of Columbia and Richmond
128Mack JacksonDemocratic2009SandersvilleGlascock, Hancock, Warren, Washington, parts of Baldwin and McDuffie
129Karlton HowardDemocratic2023AugustaPart of Richmond
130Lynn GladneyDemocratic2023AugustaPart of Richmond
131Rob CliftonRepublican2025Part of Columbia
132Brian PrinceDemocratic2013AugustaJefferson, part of Richmond
133Danny MathisRepublican2019CochranBleckley, Dodge, Twiggs, Wilkinson, part of Telfair
134Robert DickeyRepublican2011MusellaCrawford, Upson, parts of Lamar and Peach
135Beth CampRepublican2021ConcordPike, parts of Lamar and Spalding
136David JenkinsRepublican2021GrantvilleParts of Coweta, Meriwether, and Troup
137Debbie BucknerDemocratic2003Junction CityTalbot, parts of Meriwether, Muscogee, and Troup
138Vance SmithRepublican2019Pine MountainParts of Harris, Muscogee, and Troup
139Carmen RiceRepublican2024FortsonParts of Harris and Muscogee
140Tremaine Teddy ReeseDemocratic2023ColumbusPart of Muscogee
141Carolyn HugleyDemocratic1993ColumbusPart of Muscogee
142Miriam ParisDemocratic2017MaconPart of Bibb
143Anissa JonesDemocratic2025Parts of Bibb and Houston
144Dale WashburnRepublican2019MaconJasper, parts of Bibb, Jones, Monroe, and Putnam
145Tangie HerringDemocratic2025Parts of Bibb and Monroe
146Shaw BlackmonRepublican2015BonairePart of Houston
147Bethany BallardRepublican2023Warner RobinsParts of Houston and Peach
148Noel Williams Jr.Republican2019CordeleCrisp, Pulaski, Wilcox, parts of Ben Hill and Houston
149Floyd GriffinDemocratic2025Parts of Baldwin, Bibb, and Jones
150Patty Marie StinsonDemocratic2013ButlerDooly, Macon, Taylor, parts of Peach and Sumter
151Mike CheokasRepublican2019AmericusChattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Stewart, Terrell, Webster, parts of Dougherty and Sumter
152Bill YeartaRepublican2019SylvesterLee, Worth, part of Dougherty
153David SampsonDemocratic2023AlbanyPart of Dougherty
154Gerald GreeneRepublican1983CuthbertBaker, Calhoun, Clay, Early, Miller, Randolph, Seminole, Quitman, part of Dougherty
155Matt HatchettRepublican2011DublinJohnson, Laurens
156Leesa HaganRepublican2021LyonsMontgomery, Toombs, Wheeler, parts of Ben Hill, Tattnall, and Telfair
157Bill WerkheiserRepublican2015GlennvilleEvans, Jeff Davis, parts of Appling and Tattnall
158Butch ParrishRepublican1985SwainsboroCandler, Emanuel, Treutlen, part of Bulloch
159Jon G. BurnsRepublican2005NewingtonScreven, parts of Bulloch and Effingham
160Lehman FranklinRepublican2023StatesboroParts of Bryan and Bulloch
161Bill HitchensRepublican2013RinconParts of Chatham and Effingham
162Carl GilliardDemocratic2016SavannahPart of Chatham
163Anne Allen WestbrookDemocratic2023SavannahPart of Chatham
164Ron StephensRepublican1997SavannahParts of Bryan and Chatham
165Edna JacksonDemocratic2021SavannahPart of Chatham
166Jesse PetreaRepublican2015SavannahParts of Bryan and Chatham
167Buddy DeLoachRepublican2021TownsendLong, McIntosh, parts of Glynn, Liberty, and Wayne
168Al WilliamsDemocratic2003MidwayPart of Liberty
169Angie O'SteenRepublican2025Irwin, Turner, parts of Coffee and Tift
170Jaclyn FordRepublican2025Berrien, parts of Cook and Tift
171Joe CampbellRepublican2020CamillaDecatur, Mitchell, part of Grady
172Charles CannonRepublican2023MoultrieColquitt, parts of Cook and Thomas
173Darlene TaylorRepublican2011ThomasvilleParts of Grady and Thomas
174John CorbettRepublican2015Lake ParkBrantley, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, parts of Lowndes and Ware
175John LaHoodRepublican2018ValdostaBrooks, part of Lowndes
176James BurchettRepublican2019WaycrossCobb, Lanier, parts of Coffee, Lowndes, and Ware
177Dexter SharperDemocratic2013ValdostaPart of Lowndes
178Steven MeeksRepublican2019ScrevenBacon, Pierce, parts of Appling and Wayne
179Rick TownsendRepublican2023BrunswickPart of Glynn
180Steven SainzRepublican2019St. MarysCamden, part of Glynn

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.

TenureNameTermPartyHometown
147 years, 361 daysCalvin SmyreJanuary 13, 1975 – January 9, 2023DemocraticColumbus
242 years, 90 daysGerald GreeneSince January 10, 1983RepublicanCuthbert
342 years, 4 daysTom MurphyJanuary 9, 1961 – January 13, 2003DemocraticBremen
441 years, 362 daysBill LeeJanuary 14, 1957 – January 11, 1999DemocraticForest Park
540 years, 86 daysButch ParrishSince January 14, 1985RepublicanSwainsboro
639 years, 364 daysJames Roy McCrackenJanuary 14, 1935 – January 13, 1975DemocraticAvera
738 years, 103 daysHarry D. DixonSeptember 27, 1962 – January 8, 2001DemocraticWaycross
838 years, 1 dayTom BuckJanuary 9, 1967 – January 10, 2005DemocraticColumbus
937 years, 360 daysHenry L. ReavesJanuary 14, 1963 – January 8, 2001DemocraticQuitman
1037 years, 118 daysBob HannerSeptember 18, 1975 – January 14, 2013RepublicanParrott

Committees list

Source:[11]

  • 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

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ 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

  1. ^ "Comparison of state legislative salaries". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  2. ^ 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)
  3. ^ Article III Section VI Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Georgia Constitution (accessed June 2, 2013)
  4. ^ brenda erickson (October 11, 2007). "Population and Size of Legislature". Ncsl.org. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  5. ^ "Georgia House of Representatives". Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  6. ^ Prabhu, Maya T. "Lithonia Democratic lawmaker resigns from Georgia House". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  7. ^ Vigdor, Neil (July 12, 2023). "Democrat's Defection Gives Georgia G.O.P. First Black Woman in State House". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Staff Directory". Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  9. ^ "House Leadership". www.house.ga.gov. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "Representatives (2023–2024 Regular Session)". Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  11. ^ "Committees List". House.Ga.Gov. Retrieved November 26, 2020.

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