HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Georgia State Senate is the
upper house An upper house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house.''Bicameralism'' (1997) by George Tsebelis The house formally designated as the upper house is usually smaller and often has more restric ...
of the
Georgia General Assembly The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each of the General Assembly's 236 members serve two-year terms and are direct ...
, in the
U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...
of
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...
.


Legal provisions

The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the
Georgia General Assembly The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each of the General Assembly's 236 members serve two-year terms and are direct ...
, with the
lower house A lower house is one of two Debate chamber, chambers of a Bicameralism, bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house. Despite its official position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide, the lower house has co ...
being the
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 ...
. Both bodies are constitutionally required to convene annually at the
Georgia State Capitol The Georgia State Capitol is an architecturally and historically significant building in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The building has been named a National Historic Landmark which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As ...
in
Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,7 ...
. 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 single-member legislative districts of equal size. 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.


List of committees

* Administrative Affairs * Agriculture and Consumer Affairs * Appropriations * Assignments * Banking and Financial Institutions * Economic Development & Tourism * Education and Youth * Ethics * Finance * Government Oversight * Health and Human Services * Higher Education * Insurance and Labor * Interstate Cooperation * Judiciary * MARTOC * Natural Resources and the Environment * Public Safety * Reapportionment and Redistricting * Regulated Industries and Utilities * Retirement * Rules * Science and Technology * Special Judiciary * State and Local Governmental Operations * State Institutions and Property * Transportation * Urban Affairs * Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security


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 Citizenship of the United States is a legal status that entails Americans with specific rights, duties, protections, and benefits in the United States. It serves as a foundation of fundamental rights derived from and protected by the Constituti ...
, 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
Geoff Duncan Geoffrey L. Duncan (born April 1, 1975) is an American businessman, politician, and former professional baseball player, serving as the 12th lieutenant governor of Georgia since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Duncan is a former member ...
. The second-highest position is president pro tempore, currently held by Senator Butch Miller.


Past composition of the Senate


List of current senators


See also

*
Georgia General Assembly The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each of the General Assembly's 236 members serve two-year terms and are direct ...
*
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 ...
*
155th Georgia General Assembly The 155th Georgia General Assembly convened its first session by January 14, 2019, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The first session lasted for 40 legislative days in early 2019, and a second session began on January 13, 2020. The 155th ...
(2019–2021) * 154th Georgia General Assembly (2017–2018) * 153rd Georgia General Assembly (2015–2016) *
152nd Georgia General Assembly The 152nd General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia convened its first session on January 14, 2013, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The 152nd Georgia General Assembly succeeded the 151st and preceded the 153rd. Party composition ...
(2013–2014) *
151st Georgia General Assembly Overview The 151st General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia convened its first session on January 10, 2011, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The 151st Georgia General Assembly succeeded the 150th and served as the precedent f ...
(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) * 145th Georgia General Assembly (1999–2000) * 144th Georgia General Assembly (1997–1998) * 143rd Georgia General Assembly (1995–1996) * 142nd Georgia General Assembly (1993–1994) * 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 (1977–1978)
Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus Official Website


References


External links

* * {{Authority control Georgia General Assembly State upper houses in the United States