Lower house of the Georgia General Assembly
33°44′57″N 84°23′18″W / 33.749070°N 84.388362°W / 33.749070; -84.388362
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 .
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 [ edit ] 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.
Map of partisan composition of the Georgia House of Representatives as of July 13, 2023: Vacant
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%
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]
Source: [ 9]
List of current representatives [ edit ] As of March 2024[update] , 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 [ edit ] 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, 230 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, 226 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
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
^ 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] ^ "Comparison of state legislative salaries" . Ballotpedia . Retrieved September 1, 2020 . ^ 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) ^ Article III Section VI Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , Georgia Constitution (accessed June 2, 2013) ^ brenda erickson (October 11, 2007). "Population and Size of Legislature" . Ncsl.org. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2011 . ^ "Georgia House of Representatives" . Retrieved June 6, 2011 . ^ Prabhu, Maya T. "Lithonia Democratic lawmaker resigns from Georgia House" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved January 20, 2021 . ^ Vigdor, Neil (July 12, 2023). "Democrat's Defection Gives Georgia G.O.P. First Black Woman in State House" . The New York Times . ^ "Staff Directory" . Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved October 16, 2013 . ^ "House Leadership" . www.house.ga.gov. Retrieved January 9, 2023 . ^ "Representatives (2023–2024 Regular Session)" . Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved August 27, 2023 . ^ "Committees List" . House.Ga.Gov. Retrieved November 26, 2020 .
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