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Georgia General Assembly 2024: The Basics
The Georgia House is in session. (Credit: Georgia House of Representatives)
On Monday, Jan. 8, the Georgia General Assembly will gavel in to begin its new session of work at the Gold Dome. Here’s a primer on our legislators and their official agenda for 2024.
The Georgia General Assembly, also referred to as the state Legislature, was created in 1777 as a bicameral body made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. At 236 members, it’s the third-largest legislature in the U.S.
Each member is elected for two-year terms by voters in their districts.This year is the second year in the term for legislators elected in 2022.
All current legislators are up for re-election in November 2024.
Those who choose to run will be vying for a new term beginning in January 2025 (some in newly drawn districts). There are no term limits for state legislators.
The General Assembly makes the laws and sets the budget for the state, authorizing funding for all agencies and departments of state government through an annual appropriations act.
The Georgia Legislature officially meets for 40 legislative days each year, usually on weekdays running from early January to late March.
Bills must pass at least one chamber by the 28th day, also known as crossover day, if they are to be considered by the second chamber during that session. Since the Legislature runs on a two-year cycle, bills that didn’t make it through committee or get voted on in one or both chambers in 2023 still have a chance in 2024.
The last day of the legislative session is known as Sine Die (Latin for “without a day” to reconvene).
During the rest of the year, Georgia’s part-time legislators, who are paid an annual salary of $23,341 (and a $247 per diem, during the session), serve on assigned committees, meeting with constituents and others at the state Capitol in Atlanta, in their home districts, as well as at other venues around the state. Some members are retired from other careers while most legislators continue to maintain other occupations along with their legislative work.
House of Representatives: 180 members (102 Republicans, 78 Democrats)
Key House Leadership:
Speaker of the House: Rep. Jon Burns, R-Newington
Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Jan Jones, R-Milton
House Majority Leader: Rep. Chuck Efstration, R-Auburn
House Minority Leader: Rep. James Beverly, D-Macon
Senate: 56 members (33 Republicans, 23 Democrats)
Key Senate Leadership:
Senate President: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, R- Jackson
Senate President Pro Tempore: Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon
Senate Majority Leader: Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega
Senate Minority Leader: Sen. Gloria Butler, D-Stone Mountain
Key Dates for Legislators in 2024:
| Jan. 8 | First day of 2024 legislative session |
| Jan. 11 | Gov. Brian Kemp’s annual State of the State address |
| Early March | Crossover Day (28th day)—Deadline for bills to pass one chamber |
| Late March | Last (40th) day of 2024 legislative session, also known as Sine Die |
| May 21 | Primary Election Day |
| June 30 | End of Georgia Fiscal Year 2024 |
| July 1 | Start of Georgia Fiscal Year 2025 |
| Nov. 5 | General Election Day |
| Dec. 31 | End of Biennium (two-year legislative term) |
Have questions, comments or tips? Contact Jill Jordan Sieder on X @journalistajill or at [email protected].
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