Coordinates: 33°44′57″N 84°23′18″W / 33.749070°N 84.388362°W
Georgia House of Representatives | |
---|---|
Georgia General Assembly | |
Type | |
Type | |
Term limits | None |
History | |
New session started | January 11, 2021 |
Leadership | |
Majority Leader | |
Minority Leader | |
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 8, 2022 (180 seats) |
Next election | November 5, 2024 (180 seats) |
Redistricting | Legislative control |
Meeting place | |
House of Representatives Chamber Georgia State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia | |
Website | |
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 Jan Jones.
The Georgia House of Representatives was created in 1777American 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]
during theIn 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]
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.
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.
Main article: Political party strength in Georgia (U.S. state) |
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] |
Beginning of 156th General Assembly | 103 | 76 | 179 | 1 |
Current | 103 | 77 | 180 | 0 |
Latest voting share | 57.5% | 42.5% |
Source:[7]
The House of Representatives elects its own Speaker as well as a Speaker Pro Tempore. Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones became speaker after the passing of Speaker David Ralston. 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 |
---|---|---|
Interim Speaker of the House | Jan Jones | 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 | Rob Leverett | 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 |
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, 81 days | Calvin Smyre | January 13, 1975 - April 4, 2022 | 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 | 39 years, 364 days | James Roy McCracken | January 14, 1935 – January 13, 1975 | Democratic | Avera |
5 | 39 years, 332 days | Gerald Greene | Since January 10, 1983 | Republican | Cuthbert |
6 | 38 years, 103 days | Harry D. Dixon | September 27, 1962 – January 8, 2001 | Democratic | Waycross |
7 | 38 years, 1 day | Tom Buck | January 9, 1967 – January 10, 2005 | Democratic | Columbus |
8 | 37 years, 360 days | Henry L. Reaves | January 14, 1963 – January 8, 2001 | Democratic | Quitman |
9 | 37 years, 328 days | Butch Parrish | Since January 14, 1985 | Republican | Swainsboro |
10 | 37 years, 118 days | Bob Hanner | September 18, 1975 – January 14, 2013 | Republican | Parrott |
Source:[9]