General Assembly
Georgia’s bicameral legislature composed of the House and Senate that enacts state law.
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| General Assembly | Georgia’s bicameral legislature composed of the House and Senate that enacts state law. |
| Chamber leaders | Elected officials who manage business in each chamber (Speaker, Lt. Governor, Pro Tempore). |
| Speaker of the House | Presiding officer of the House who appoints committees and chairs and influences rules. |
| Lieutenant Governor | Statewide elected official who presides over the Senate independently of the governor. |
| President Pro Tempore | Senator elected to preside over the Senate when the Lieutenant Governor is absent. |
| Majority Leader | Party leader who coordinates the legislative agenda for the chamber’s majority party. |
| Minority Leader | Party leader who organizes the opposition and strategy for the minority party. |
| Party Whip | Officer who counts votes and ensures party members support key legislation. |
| Governor’s Floor Leader | Legislator designated to advance the governor’s legislative priorities in the chamber. |
| Committee appointment power | The Speaker’s authority to assign members and select committee chairs. |
| Rules Committee | Chamber committee that sets debate rules and controls which bills reach the floor. |
| State House of Representatives | Lower chamber with 180 members elected from single‑member districts for two‑year terms. |
| House qualifications | Must be 21, U.S. citizen, Georgia resident 2 years, district resident 1 year. |
| State Senate | Upper chamber limited to 56 members elected from population‑based districts for two‑year terms. |
| Senate qualifications | Must be 25, U.S. citizen, Georgia resident 2 years, district resident 1 year. |
| Line‑item veto | Governor’s power to veto specific budget items without rejecting an entire appropriations bill. |
| State of the State Address | Annual speech in which the governor presents priorities and the proposed budget. |
| Appropriations bill | Legislation that allocates funds for state programs; originates in the House. |
| Balanced budget requirement | Constitutional rule that the state may not spend more than its revenues (except capital bonds). |
| Budget drivers (OPB & LBO) | Office of Planning and Budget and Legislative Budget Office produce estimates that guide budgeting. |
| Major revenue sources | State income tax (≈50%), sales tax (≈35%), motor fuel taxes, federal grants, and fees. |
| Legislative time on budget | The General Assembly spends over half its session time debating and voting on the budget. |