Georgia State Senate | |
|---|---|
| Georgia General Assembly | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
New session started | January 13, 2025 |
| Leadership | |
President pro tempore | Vacant since June 2, 2025 |
Majority Leader | Jason Anavitarte (R) since June 17, 2025 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 56 |
 | |
Political groups | Majority
Minority
Vacant
|
Length of term | 2 years |
| Authority | Article III,Georgia Constitution |
| Salary | $17,342/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
Last election | November 5, 2024 (56 seats) |
Next election | November 3, 2026 (56 seats) |
| Redistricting | Legislative control |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| State Senate Chamber Georgia Capitol Atlanta,Georgia | |
| Website | |
| legis.ga.gov/senate | |
TheGeorgia State Senate is theupper house of theGeorgia General Assembly, in theU.S. state ofGeorgia. The Georgia State Senate and thelower house of the General Assembly, theGeorgia House of Representatives, comprise thebicamerallegislature of the state. Combined, the Senate and the House maintain authority under Article III. of the1983 Constitution of Georgia to enact laws "necessary and proper for the welfare of the state", although state law is subordinate to the state constitution, theUnited States Constitution, and federal law.
Like most upper houses in the United States, the Senate has the exclusive power to confirm various appointments made by thegovernor of Georgia, and to try cases of impeachment brought by the House. The Senate is often considered a springboard for those ultimately seeking higher office; all of the state's most recent governors have served in the State Senate.
The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of theGeorgia General Assembly, with thelower house being theGeorgia House of Representatives. Both bodies are constitutionally required to convene annually at theGeorgia State Capitol inAtlanta.[1] The General Assembly begins each yearly session on the second Monday in January.[1] From that date of convention, sessions last for 40 legislative days.[1]
The General Assembly may call for special sessions by a three-fifths vote of the members in each chamber.[1] Special sessions in Georgia may span a maximum of 40 days.[1]
The Georgia State Senate consists of 56 members, each representing a single-member legislative district of equal size with the others. 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.[1] The person must also be a qualified voter who has resided in the state of Georgia for at least two years.[1] Unlike most states, senators are not required to have lived in their districts for a specific period of time before running.
The formal President of the State Senate is theLieutenant 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 theRepublican caucus).[1]
The minority party is headed by the Minority Leader, who is elected by the minority party caucus.[1]
The current salary for state senators is $17,342.[2] The Majority Leader and Minority Leader earn an additional $400 per month.
The presiding officer of the Senate is the president of the Senate. A presidentpro 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 Presidentpro tempore becomes President. The Senate also has as an officer, the secretary of the Senate.
As of June 2025[update], the majority and minority leadership is as follows:
| Office | Officeholder | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Lt. governor and senate president | Burt Jones[3] | Republican |
| Presidentpro tempore | Vacant | Republican |
| Majority leader | Jason Anavitarte | Republican |
| Majority whip | Randy Robertson[4] | Republican |
| Majority caucus chairman | Vacant | Republican |
| Majority caucus vice-chairman | Matt Brass[4] | Republican |
| Majority caucus treasurer | Dean Burke[4] | Republican |
| Minority leader | Harold V. Jones II[5] | Democratic |
| Minority whip | Kim Jackson[5] | Democratic |
| Minority caucus chair | Elena Parent[5] | Democratic |
| Minority caucus vice-chair | Sonya Halpern[5] | Democratic |
| Minority caucus vice-chair of fundraising and campaigns | David Lucas[5] | Democratic |
| Minority caucus secretary | Nan Orrock[5] | Democratic |
|
|
According to thestate 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, acitizen of the United States, 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 GovernorBurt Jones. The second-highest position is president pro tempore, currently held by SenatorButch Miller.
| ↓ | |||||
| 1 | 32 | 1 | 22 | 1 | |
| V | Republican | R | Democratic | V | |
| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Democratic | Vacant | |||
| End of155th Assembly | 35 | 21 | 56 | 0 | |
| End of156th Assembly | 34 | 22 | 56 | 0 | |
| Beginning of157th Assembly | 33 | 23 | 56 | 0 | |
| End of 157th[a] | 32 | 1 | 56 | 0 | |
| Beginning of158th Assembly | 32 | 1 | 23 | 56 | 0 |
| May 4, 2025[b] | 31 | 55 | 1 | ||
| September 10, 2025[c] | 22 | 54 | 2 | ||
| October 14, 2025[d] | 32 | 55 | 1 | ||
| Latest voting share | 58.2% | 1.8% | 40% | ||
As of January 2025[update], the Georgia State Senate is composed of 56 members:[8]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
