Georgia State Senate

(56 seats) (56 seats)

Minority

Georgia Capitol Atlanta, Georgia

The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly, in the U.S. state of Georgia. The Georgia State Senate and the lower house of the General Assembly, the Georgia House of Representatives, comprise the bicameral legislature of the state. Combined, the Senate and the House maintain authority under Article III. of the 1983 Constitution of Georgia to enact laws "necessary and proper for the welfare of the state", although state law is subordinate to the state constitution, the United States Constitution, and federal law.

Like most upper houses in the United States, the Senate has the exclusive power to confirm various appointments made by the governor of Georgia, and to try cases of impeachment brought by the House. The Senate is often considered a springboard for those ultimately seeking higher office; all of the state's most recent governors have served in the State Senate.

Legal provisions

The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly, with the lower house being the Georgia House of Representatives. Both bodies are constitutionally required to convene annually at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The General Assembly begins each yearly session on the second Monday in January. From that date of convention, sessions last for 40 legislative days.

The General Assembly may call for special sessions by a three-fifths vote of the members in each chamber. Special sessions in Georgia may span a maximum of 40 days.

Membership requirements

The Georgia State Senate consists of 56 members, each representing a single-member legislative district of equal size with the others. State senators serve a term length of two years, with elections being held in even-numbered years. Senators officially assume their positions on the second Monday in January following their election.

To serve in the Senate, an individual must have attained the age of 25. The person must also be a qualified voter who has resided in the state of Georgia for at least two years. Unlike most states, senators are not required to have lived in their districts for a specific period of time before running.

Leadership

The formal President of the State Senate is the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, who is elected statewide every four years. Other important figures in the Senate include the President pro tempore (who is elected by all members of the Senate), as well as the Majority Leader, Majority Whip, and Majority Caucus Chair (each of whom are elected by the majority of what is currently the Republican caucus).

The minority party is headed by the Minority Leader, who is elected by the minority party caucus.

Compensation

The current salary for state senators is $17,342. The Majority Leader and Minority Leader earn an additional $400 per month.

Officers

The presiding officer of the Senate is the president of the Senate. A president pro tempore, usually a high-ranking member of the majority party, acts as president in case of the temporary disability of the president. In case of the death, resignation, or permanent disability of the President or in the event of the succession of the president to the executive power, the President pro tempore becomes President. The Senate also has as an officer, the secretary of the Senate.

, the majority and minority leadership is as follows:

List of committees

• Administrative Affairs
• Agriculture and Consumer Affairs (chair, Russ Goodman)
• Appropriations (chair, Blake Tillery)
• Assignments
• Banking and Financial Institutions (chair, Carden Summers)
• Children and Families (chair, Kay Kirkpatrick)
• Economic Development and Tourism (chair, Brandon Beach)
• Education and Youth (chair, Clint Dixon)
• Ethics (chair, Max Burns)
• Finance
• Government Oversight
• Health and Human Services
• Higher Education (chair, Billy Hickman)
• Insurance and Labor (chair, Larry Walker III)
• Interstate Cooperation (chair, Colton Moore)
• Judiciary
• MARTOC
• Natural Resources and the Environment (chair, Lee Anderson)
• Public Safety
• Reapportionment and Redistricting (chair, Shelly Echols)
• Regulated Industries and Utilities
• Retirement (chair, Rick Williams)
• Rules (chair, Matt Brass)
• Science and Technology (chair, Chuck Payne)
• Special Judiciary
• State and Local Governmental Operations (chair, Frank Ginn)
• State Institutions and Property
• Transportation (chair, Greg Dolezal)
• Urban Affairs (chair, Donzella James)
• Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security (chair, Mike Dugan)

Districts

Main article: List of Georgia State Senate districts

Composition

]] According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.

Senators must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Georgia for two years and their senatorial district for one year (preceding the election). The highest position in the Senate is the President of the Senate, a position currently held by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. The second-highest position is president pro tempore, currently held by Senator Butch Miller.

Past composition of the Senate

Main article: Political party strength in Georgia (U.S. state)

List of current senators

, the Georgia State Senate is composed of 56 members:

Notes

References

References

1. (January 7, 2022). "The Book of the States". The Council of State Governments.
2. Salzer, James. "Georgia Senate rejects big pay raise for the General Assembly, state officials". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
3. (January 12, 2023). "Lt. Gov. Burt Jones assigns Senate committee chairs". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
4. (November 11, 2022). "Georgia Senate Republicans elect new leadership". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
5. (November 28, 2022). "Georgia Senate Democrats reelect Gloria Butler minority leader". Capitol Beat.
6. "Ethics Committee".
7. Prabhu, Maya T.. (September 28, 2023). "Georgia senator who called for Fulton DA probe suspended from GOP caucus". [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]].
8. "Senators (2023-24 Regular Session)". Georgia State Senate.