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Georgia House of Representatives

Coordinates: 33°44′57″N 84°23′18″W / 33.749070°N 84.388362°W / 33.749070; -84.388362
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For the current session, see 157th Georgia General Assembly.

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

Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia General Assembly
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
New session started
January 9, 2023
Leadership
Jon G. Burns (R)
since January 9, 2023
Speaker Pro Tempore
Jan Jones (R)
since January 11, 2010
Majority Leader
Chuck Efstration (R)
since January 9, 2023
James Beverly (D)
since January 11, 2021
Structure
Seats180
Political groups
Majority
  •   Republican (102)

Minority

Length of term
2 years
AuthorityArticle III, Georgia Constitution
Salary$23,341.72/year + per diem[1]
Elections
Last election
November 5, 2024
Next election
November 3, 2026
RedistrictingLegislative control
Meeting place
House of Representatives Chamber
Georgia State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia
Website
legis.ga.gov/house

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 (247 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 partisan composition of the Georgia House of Representatives as of July 13, 2023:
  Democratic representative
  Republican representative
  Vacant
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]
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 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]

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 Solomon Adesanya 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]

District Representative Party Since Residence Counties represented
1 Mike Cameron Republican 2021 Rossville Dade, Walker
2 Steve Tarvin Republican 2014 Chickamauga Catoosa, Walker, Whitfield
3 Mitchell Horner Republican 2023 Ringgold Catoosa
4 Kasey Carpenter Republican 2017 Dalton Whitfield
5 Matt Barton Republican 2019 Calhoun Floyd, Gordon
6 Jason Ridley Republican 2017 Chatsworth Murray
7 Johnny Chastain Republican 2023 Blue Ridge Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer
8 Stan Gunter Republican 2021 Blairsville Towns, Union, White
9 Will Wade Republican 2013 Dawsonville Dawson, Lumpkin, White
10 Victor Anderson Republican 2021 Cornelia Habersham, Rabun
11 Rick Jasperse Republican 2010 Jasper Cherokee, Forsyth, Pickens
12 Eddie Lumsden Republican 2013 Rome Chattooga, Floyd
13 Katie Dempsey Republican 2007 Rome Floyd
14 Mitchell Scoggins Republican 2019 Rydal Bartow, Cherokee
15 Matthew Gambill Republican 2019 Cartersville Bartow
16 Trey Kelley Republican 2013 Cedartown Paulding, Polk
17 Martin Momtahan Republican 2019 Dallas Paulding
18 Tyler Smith Republican 2021 Bremen Carroll, Haralson
19 Joseph Gullett Republican 2019 Dallas Paulding
20 Charlice Byrd Republican 2013 Woodstock Cherokee
21 Brad Thomas Republican 2013 Woodstock Cherokee
22 Jordan Ridley Republican 2023 Woodstock Cherokee, Cobb
23 Mandi Ballinger Republican 2013 Canton Cherokee
24 Carter Barrett Republican 2023 Cumming Forsyth
25 Todd Jones Republican 2017 Cumming Forsyth, Fulton
26 Lauren McDonald Republican 2021 Cumming Forsyth
27 Lee Hawkins Republican 2013 Gainesville Hall, Lumpkin
28 Brent Cox Republican 2023 Dawsonville Forsyth, Hall
29 Matt Dubnik Republican 2017 Gainesville Hall
30 Derrick McCollum Republican 2023 Chestnut Mountain Gwinnett, Hall
31 Emory Dunahoo Republican 2011 Gillsville Hall, Jackson
32 Chris Erwin Republican 2023 Homer Banks, Habersham
33 Alan Powell Republican 1991 Hartwell Franklin, Hart, Madison
34 Devan Seabaugh Republican 2021 Marietta Cobb
35 Lisa Campbell Democratic 2023 Kennesaw Cobb
36 Ginny Ehrhart Republican 2019 Powder Springs Cobb
37 Mary Frances Williams Democratic 2019 Marietta Cobb
38 David Wilkerson Democratic 2011 Powder Springs Cobb
39 Terry Cummings Democratic 2023 Mableton Cobb
40 Doug Stoner Democratic 2023 Smyrna Cobb
41 Michael Smith Democratic 2013 Marietta Cobb
42 Teri Anulewicz Democratic 2017 Smyrna Cobb
43 Solomon Adesanya Democratic 2023 Marietta Cobb
44 Don Parsons Republican 1995 Marietta Cherokee, Cobb
45 Sharon Cooper Republican 1997 Marietta Cobb
46 John Carson Republican 2011 Roswell Cherokee, Cobb
47 Jan Jones Republican 2003 Alpharetta Cherokee, Fulton
48 Scott Hilton Republican 2023 Peachtree Corners Fulton, Gwinnett
49 Chuck Martin Republican 2003 Alpharetta Fulton
50 Michelle Au Democratic 2023 Johns Creek Fulton
51 Esther Panitch Democratic 2023 Sandy Springs Fulton
52 Shea Roberts Democratic 2021 Sandy Springs DeKalb, Fulton
53 Deborah Silcox Republican 2023 Sandy Springs Fulton
54 Betsy Holland Democratic 2019 Atlanta Fulton
55 Inga Willis Democratic 2023 Atlanta Fulton
56 Mesha Mainor Republican 2021 Atlanta Fulton
57 Stacey Evans Democratic 2021 Atlanta Fulton
58 Park Cannon Democratic 2016 Atlanta Fulton
59 Phil Olaleye Democratic 2023 Atlanta Fulton
60 Sheila Jones Democratic 2005 Atlanta Fulton
61 Roger Bruce Democratic 2003 Atlanta Douglas, Fulton
62 Tanya F. Miller Democratic 2023 Atlanta Fulton
63 Kim Schofield Democratic 2017 Atlanta Fulton
64 Kimberly New Republican 2023 Villa Rica Douglas, Paulding
65 Mandisha Thomas Democratic 2021 Atlanta Coweta, Douglas, Fulton
66 Kimberly Alexander Democratic 2013 Douglasville Douglas
67 Lydia Glaize Democratic 2023 Fairburn Coweta, Fulton
68 Derrick Jackson Democratic 2023 Tyrone Fayette, Fulton
69 Debra Bazemore Democratic 2017 South Fulton Fayette, Fulton
70 Lynn Smith Republican 1997 Newnan Carroll, Coweta
71 J. Collins Republican 2017 Villa Rica Carroll
72 David Huddleston Republican 2023 Roopville Carroll, Heard, Troup
73 Josh Bonner Republican 2017 Fayetteville Coweta, Fayette
74 Karen Mathiak Republican 2023 Griffin Fayette, Henry, Spalding
75 Eric Bell II Democratic 2023 Jonesboro Clayton
76 Sandra Scott Democratic 2011 Rex Clayton
77 Rhonda Burnough Democratic 2017 Riverdale Clayton
78 Demetrius Douglas Democratic 2013 Jonesboro Clayton, Henry
79 Yasmin Neal Democratic 2011 Morrow Clayton
80 Long Tran Democratic 2023 Dunwoody DeKalb
81 Scott Holcomb Democratic 2011 Atlanta DeKalb
82 Mary Margaret Oliver Democratic 2003 Atlanta DeKalb
83 Karen Lupton Democratic 2023 Chamblee DeKalb
84 Omari Crawford Democratic 2023 Decatur DeKalb
85 Karla Drenner Democratic 2001 Avondale Estates DeKalb
86 Imani Barnes Democratic 2023 Tucker DeKalb
87 Viola Davis Democratic 2019 Stone Mountain DeKalb
88 Billy Mitchell Democratic 2003 Lithonia DeKalb, Gwinnett
89 Becky Evans Democratic 2023 Atlanta DeKalb
90 Saira Draper Democratic 2023 Atlanta DeKalb
91 Angela Moore Democratic 2021 Lithonia DeKalb, Henry, Rockdale
92 Rhonda Taylor Democratic 2021 Conyers DeKalb, Rockdale
93 Doreen Carter Democratic 2015 Lithonia DeKalb, Newton, Rockdale
94 Karen Bennett Democratic 2013 Stone Mountain DeKalb, Gwinnett
95 Dar'shun Kendrick Democratic 2023 Lithonia DeKalb, Gwinnett, Rockdale
96 Pedro Marin Democratic 2003 Duluth Gwinnett
97 Ruwa Romman Democratic 2023 Duluth Gwinnett
98 Marvin Lim Democratic 2021 Norcross Gwinnett
99 Matt Reeves Republican 2023 Duluth Gwinnett
100 David Clark Republican 2015 Sugar Hill Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall
101 Gregg Kennard Democratic 2017 Lawrenceville Gwinnett
102 Gabe Okoye Democratic 2017 Lawrenceville Gwinnett
103 Soo Hong Republican 2023 Lawrenceville Gwinnett, Hall
104 Chuck Efstration Republican 2013 Auburn Barrow, Gwinnett
105 Farooq Mughal Democratic 2023 Dacula Gwinnett
106 Shelly Hutchinson Democratic 2019 Snellville Gwinnett
107 Sam Park Democratic 2023 Lawrenceville Gwinnett
108 Jasmine Clark Democratic 2019 Lilburn Gwinnett
109 Dewey McClain Democratic 2023 Lawrenceville Gwinnett
110 Segun Adeyina Democratic 2023 Grayson Gwinnett
111 Reynaldo Martinez Republican 2023 Loganville Gwinnett, Walton
112 Bruce Williamson Republican 2023 Monroe Walton
113 Sharon Henderson Democratic 2021 Covington Newton
114 Tim Fleming Republican 2023 Covington Jasper, Morgan, Newton
115 Regina Lewis-Ward Democratic 2023 McDonough Henry
116 El-Mahdi Holly Democratic 2023 Stockbridge Clayton, Henry
117 Lauren Daniel Republican 2023 Locust Grove Henry, Spalding
118 Clint Crowe Republican 2023 Jackson Butts, Henry, Jasper, Putnam
119 Holt Persinger Republican 2023 Winder Barrow, Jackson
120 Houston Gaines Republican 2019 Athens Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Oconee
121 Marcus Wiedower Republican 2019 Watkinsville Clarke, Oconee
122 Spencer Frye Democratic 2023 Athens Clarke
123 Rob Leverett Republican 2023 Elberton Columbia, Elbert, Lincoln, Madison, Wilkes
124 Trey Rhodes Republican 2015 Greensboro Clarke, Greene, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro
125 Gary Richardson Republican 2024 Evans Columbia, McDuffie
126 Gloria Frazier Democratic 2007 Hephzibah Burke, Jenkins, Richmond
127 Mark Newton Republican 2023 Augusta Columbia, Richmond
128 Mack Jackson Democratic 2009 Sandersville Baldwin, Glascock, Hancock, McDuffie, Warren, Washington
129 Karlton Howard

Democratic

2023 Augusta Richmond
130 Lynn Gladney Democratic 2023 Augusta Richmond
131 Jodi Lott Republican 2023 Evans Columbia
132 Brian Prince Democratic 2023 Augusta Jefferson, Richmond
133 Kenneth Vance Republican 2023 Milledgeville Baldwin, Jones
134 David Knight Republican 2005 Griffin Lamar, Monroe, Spalding
135 Beth Camp Republican 2021 Concord Lamar, Pike, Upson
136 David Jenkins Republican 2021 Grantville Coweta, Meriwether, Troup
137 Debbie Buckner Democratic 2003 Junction City Meriwether, Muscogee, Talbot, Troup
138 Vance Smith Republican 2019 Hamilton Harris, Muscogee, Troup
139 Carmen Rice Republican 2024 Columbus Harris, Muscogee
140 Tremaine Teddy Reese Democratic 2023 Columbus Muscogee
141 Carolyn Hugley Democratic 1993 Columbus Muscogee
142 Miriam Paris Democratic 2017 Macon Bibb
143 James Beverly Democratic 2011 Macon Bibb
144 Dale Washburn Republican 2019 Macon Bibb, Jones, Monroe
145 Robert Dickey Republican 2011 Musella Baldwin, Putnam
146 Shaw Blackmon Republican 2015 Kathleen Houston
147 Bethany Ballard Republican 2023 Warner Robins Houston
148 Noel Williams Jr. Republican 2019 Cordele Ben Hill, Crisp, Houston, Pulaski, Wilcox
149 Danny Mathis Republican 2011 Cochran Bleckley, Dodge, Telfair, Twiggs, Wilkinson
150 Patty Marie Stinson Democratic 2013 Butler Dooly, Macon, Peach, Sumter, Taylor
151 Mike Cheokas Republican 2023 Americus Chattahoochee, Dougherty, Marion, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell, Webster
152 Bill Yearta Republican 2019 Sylvester Dougherty, Lee, Worth
153 David Sampson Democratic 2023 Albany Dougherty
154 Gerald Greene Republican 1983 Cuthbert Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Early, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole
155 Matt Hatchett Republican 2023 Dublin Johnson, Laurens
156 Leesa Hagan Republican 2021 Lyons Ben Hill, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Wheeler
157 Bill Werkheiser Republican 2015 Glennville Appling, Evans, Jeff Davis, Tattnall
158 Butch Parrish Republican 1985 Swainsboro Bulloch, Candler, Emanuel, Treutlen
159 Jon G. Burns Republican 2005 Newington Bulloch, Effingham, Screven
160 Lehman Franklin Republican 2023 Statesboro Bryan, Bulloch
161 Bill Hitchens Republican 2013 Rincon Chatham, Effingham
162 Carl Gilliard Democratic 2016 Garden City Chatham
163 Anne Allen Westbrook Democratic 2023 Savannah Chatham
164 Ron Stephens Republican 1997 Richmond Hill Bryan, Chatham
165 Edna Jackson Democratic 2021 Savannah Chatham
166 Jesse Petrea Republican 2015 Savannah Bryan, Chatham
167 Buddy DeLoach Republican 2021 Townsend Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Wayne
168 Al Williams Democratic 2003 Midway Liberty
169 Clay Pirkle Republican 2023 Ashburn Coffee, Irwin, Tift, Turner
170 Penny Houston Republican 1997 Nashville Berrien, Cook, Tift
171 Joe Campbell Republican 2020 Camilla Decatur, Grady, Mitchell
172 Charles Cannon Republican 2023 Moultrie Colquitt, Thomas
173 Darlene Taylor Republican 2011 Thomasville Grady, Thomas
174 John Corbett Republican 2015 Lake Park Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Lowndes, Ware
175 John LaHood Republican 2018 Valdosta Brooks, Lowndes
176 James Burchett Republican 2019 Millwood Atkinson, Coffee, Lanier, Lowndes, Ware
177 Dexter Sharper Democratic 2013 Valdosta Lowndes
178 Steven Meeks Republican 2019 Screven Appling, Bacon, Pierce, Wayne
179 Rick Townsend Republican 2023 St. Simons Glynn
180 Steven Sainz Republican 2019 Woodbine Camden, 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.

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, 352 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, 348 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:[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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