Georgia House of Representatives

For the current session, see 153rd Georgia General Assembly.

Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia General Assembly
Flag of the State of Georgia
Type
Type	Lower House
Term limits	None
History
New session started	January 10, 2011
Leadership
Speaker of the House	David Ralston (R) Since January 11, 2010
Speaker pro tempore	Jan Jones (R) Since January 11, 2010
Majority Leader	Jon Burns (R) Since November 9, 2010
Minority Leader	Stacey Abrams (D) Since November 10, 2010
Structure
Seats	180
Political groups	Governing Party   Republican Party: (120) Opposition   Democratic Party: (59)   Independent: (1)
Length of term	2 years
Authority	Article III, Georgia Constitution
Salary	$17,342/year + per diem
Elections
Last election	November 4, 2014 (180 seats)
Next election	November 8, 2016 (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.

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.

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.

On October 26, 1884, construction began on a new state capitol and was first occupied on June 15, 1889.

Powers and privileges

The state constitution gives the state legislature the power to make state laws, restrict land 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.

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 in the United States (behind New Hampshire (400) and Pennsylvania (203)).

As of 2011, attorneys account for about 16.1% of the membership of the Georgia House of Representatives, a relatively low figure.

Affiliation	Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)			Total
	Republican	Ind	Democratic		Vacant
End of 149th General Assembly	106	0	74	180	0
Begin	105	0	75	180	0
End of 150th General Assembly	112	1	66	179	1
Start of 151st General Assembly	114	1	63	178	2
End of 151st General Assembly	116			180	0
Beginning of 152nd General Assembly	119	1	60	180	0
End of 152nd General Assembly				180	0
Beginning of 153rd General Assembly	119	1	60	180	0
May 12, 2015	118			179	1
August 11, 2015			61	180	0
Latest voting share	66.1%		33.9%

Officers

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.

List of committees

• Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
• Judiciary
• Appropriations
• Judiciary – Non-Civil
• Banks and Banking
• Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment
• Children and Youth
• MARTOC
• Defense and Veterans Affairs
• Motor Vehicles
• Economic Development and Tourism
• Natural Resources and Environment
• Education
• Public Safety
• Ethics
• Public Utilities and Telecommunications
• Game, Fish, and Parks
• Regulated Industries
• Governmental Affairs
• Retirement
• Health and Human Services
• Rules
• Higher Education
• Science and Technology
• Human Relations and Aging
• Special Rules
• Industrial Relations
• State Institutions and Property
• Information and Audits
• State Planning and Community Affairs
• Insurance
• Transportation
• Interstate Cooperation
• Ways and Means
• Intergovernmental Coordination

See also

• 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 Senate

External links

• Official Website of the General Assembly of Georgia