Georgia House of Representatives
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.
Georgia House of Representatives | |
|---|---|
| Georgia General Assembly | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
New session started | January 11, 2021 |
| Leadership | |
Majority Leader | |
Majority Whip | |
Minority Leader | |
Minority Whip | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 180 |
 | |
Political groups | Majority
Minority
|
Length of term | 2 years |
| Authority | Article III, Georgia Constitution |
| Salary | $17,342/year + per diem[1] |
| Elections | |
Last election | November 3, 2020 (180 seats) |
Next election | November 8, 2022 (180 seats) |
| Redistricting | Legislative control |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| House of Representatives Chamber Georgia State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Website | |
| Georgia House of Representatives | |
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[lower-alpha 1] |
| Beginning of 156th General Assembly | 103 | 76 | 179 | 1 |
| Latest voting share | 57.5% | 42.5% | ||
Officers[7]
| Terms of the Georgia General Assembly |
|---|
|
The House of Representatives elects its own Speaker as well as a Speaker Pro Tempore. The current speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives is David Ralston. The current Speaker Pro Tempore is Jan Jones. 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 | David Ralston | Republican |
| Speaker pro tempore | Jan Jones | Republican |
| Majority Leader | Jon G. Burns | Republican |
| Majority Whip | Trey Kelley | Republican |
| Majority Caucus Chairman | Matt Hatchett | Republican |
| Majority Caucus Vice-Chairman | Micah Gravley | Republican |
| Majority Caucus Secretary/Treasurer | Bruce Williamson | Republican |
| Majority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip | Mark Newton | Republican |
| Minority Leader | James Beverly | Democratic |
| Minority Whip | David Wilkerson | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Chairman | Billy Mitchell | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Vice-Chairwoman | Erica Thomas | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Secretary | Park Cannon | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Treasurer | Mary Robichaux | Democratic |
| Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip | Debra Bazemore | Democratic |
List of current representatives
Committees List [9]
- 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 and Telecommunications
- Game, Fish, and Parks
- Governmental Affairs
- Health and Human Services
- Higher Education
- Human Relations and Aging
- Industry and Labor
- Information and Audits
- Insurance
- Intergovernmental Coordination
- Interstate Cooperation
- Judiciary
- Judiciary – Non-Civil
- Juvenile Justice
- Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment
- MARTOC- Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee. Senate/House joint committee. Provides oversight of the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).[10][11][12]
- Motor Vehicles
- Natural Resources and Environment
- Public Safety and Homeland Security
- Regulated Industries
- Retirement
- Rules
- Science and Technology
- Small Business Development
- Special Rules
- State Planning and Community Affairs
- State Properties
- Transportation
- Ways and Means
Past composition of the House of Representatives
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)
- 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
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
- Ballotpedia https://ballotpedia.org/Comparison_of_state_legislative_salaries. Retrieved September 1, 2020. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - The Capitalization of Georgia, 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". Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- Prabhu, Maya T. "Lithonia Democratic lawmaker resigns from Georgia House". AJC. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- "House Leadership". www.house.ga.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- "Committees List". House.Ga.Gov. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- "Action & Advocacy:JLA Day At The Capitol". The Junior League of Atlanta. February 26, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- "Senate MARTOC". Georgia State Senate. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- "House MARTOC". Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
External links
Authority control  |
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