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]
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
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] [ 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, 296 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, 292 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 .
