Georgia State Senate

Georgia State Senate
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Name	Georgia State Senate
Legislature	Georgia General Assembly
House type	Upper house
Body	Georgia State Legislature
Term limits	None
New session	January 9, 2023
Leader1 type	President
Leader1	Burt Jones (R)
Election1	January 9, 2023
Leader2 type	President pro tempore
Leader2	John F. Kennedy (R)
Election2	January 9, 2023
Leader3 type	Majority Leader
Leader3	Steve Gooch (R)
Election3	January 9, 2023
Leader4 type	Minority Leader
Leader4	Gloria Butler (D)
Election4	January 11, 2021
Members	56
Political groups1	Majority (33), Republican (33), Minority (23), Democratic (23)
Term length	2 years
Voting system	First-past-the-post voting
Last election1	November 8, 2022
Next election1	November 5, 2024
Meeting place	State Senate Chamber, Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta
Website	http://www.senate.ga.gov

Georgia State Senate. The Georgia State Senate is the upper chamber of the Georgia General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. Alongside the Georgia House of Representatives, it convenes at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The Senate is composed of 56 members elected from single-member districts for two-year terms with no term limits.

History

The Georgia State Senate was established by the Georgia Constitution of 1777 following the American Revolutionary War. Its early history was shaped by debates over states' rights and slavery, with prominent figures like Alexander Stephens serving before the American Civil War. The body underwent significant transformation during the Reconstruction era and again following the Civil Rights Movement, particularly after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and subsequent court rulings like those from the Supreme Court of the United States that mandated redistricting. The modern partisan composition shifted dramatically with the rise of the Republican Party in the late 20th century, culminating in the GOP gaining control after the 2002 elections.

Membership

Members of the Georgia State Senate must be at least 25 years old, citizens of the United States, and residents of their district for at least one year. The current membership, following the 2022 Georgia Senate election, includes 33 Republicans and 23 Democrats. Notable members have included former Governor Zell Miller, former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, and current Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. Districts are reapportioned every ten years following the United States Census.

Powers and duties

The Senate shares legislative powers with the Georgia House of Representatives, including the authority to introduce and pass bills, draft the state budget, and override a gubernatorial veto with a two-thirds vote. It holds exclusive constitutional powers to try impeachments brought by the House and to confirm appointments made by the Governor of Georgia, such as heads of major agencies and members of the Georgia Board of Regents. The Senate also plays a key role in the proposal of constitutional amendments to the Georgia Constitution.

Committees

The Senate operates through a system of standing committees where most legislative work is conducted. Key committees include the Appropriations Committee, which handles the state budget, the Judiciary Committee, and the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. Special committees or subcommittees, like the Senate Study Committee on Broadband Access, are often formed to address specific issues. Committee chairs are appointed by the President of the Senate and hold significant influence over the legislative agenda.

Leadership

The presiding officer is the President of the Senate, a role held by the elected Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, currently Burt Jones. Day-to-day leadership includes the President pro tempore, John F. Kennedy, and the floor leaders: Majority Leader Steve Gooch and Minority Leader Gloria Butler. Other key officers include the Secretary of the Senate and the Parliamentarian, who advise on procedural rules based on Mason's Manual.

Elections and composition

Senators are elected in November of even-numbered years from districts established by the Georgia General Assembly. Elections are conducted using First-past-the-post voting. The current composition, a Republican supermajority, stems from the 2020 United States redistricting cycle and the 2022 Georgia Senate election. The next election is the 2024 Georgia Senate election. Partisan control has been held by the Republican Party since 2003, influencing policy on issues like taxation, education, and healthcare in Georgia.