In a day filled with pomp and circumstance, the Georgia General Assembly kicked off a new legislative session today (with 42 freshman members) and the state inaugurated a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and slate of constitutional officers. And while today’s legislative action was relatively routine, onlookers did get their first glimpse at a more vocal minority as the Senate adopted its rules for the new session. More on the new faces at the State Capitol and changes to the House and Senate rules in this #GoldDomeReport from Legislative Day 1.

The General Assembly reconvenes for Legislative Day 2 tomorrow at 10:00AM.

In this Report:

• General Assembly Welcomes 42 New Members
• House, Senate Adopt Rules for Legislative Session
• Governor Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Duncan Inaugurated

General Assembly Welcomes 42 New Members

As the Clerk of the House and Secretary of Senate called their respective chambers to order this morning, they were met with 42 fresh faces among the bodies. The new members, who represent nearly 20% of the General Assembly, include 13 Democrats who are filling seats most recently held by Republicans. New members include:

SENATE
Sen. Greg Dolezal
Sen. Sally Harrell
Sen. Zehra Karinshak
Sen. Sheikh Rahman
Sen. Randy Robertson

HOUSE
Rep. Erick Allen
Rep. Mike Cheokas
Rep. Jasmine Clark
Rep. Viola Davis
Rep. Ginny Ehrhart
Rep. Becky Evans
Rep. Houston Gaines
Rep. Matthew Gambill
Rep. Joseph Gullett
Rep. Betsy Holland
Rep. El-Mahdi Holly
Rep. CaMia Whitaker Hopson
Rep. Shelly Hutchinson
Rep. Angelika Kausche
Rep. Gregg Kennard
Rep. Danny Mathis
Rep. Josh McLaurin
Rep. Donna McLeod
Rep. Steven Meeks
Rep. Martin Momtahan
Rep. Beth Moore
Rep. Colton Moore
Rep. Ken Pullin
Rep. Bonnie Rich
Rep. Mary Robichaux
Rep. Steven Sainz
Rep. Vance Smith
Rep. Dale Washburn
Rep. Marcus Wiedower
Rep. Michael Wilensky
Rep. Mary Frances Williams
Rep. Noel Williams, Jr.
Rep. Matthew Wilson

House, Senate Adopt Rules for Legislative Session

In addition to swearing in members, the General Assembly also used today’s convening to handle housekeeping tasks taken up every two years, including adopting new rules. The new Senate rules, which received passionate calls for debate from members of the minority party, eventually passed with a party line vote. The new rules differ from past years’ versions in a few ways. Importantly, the rules passed today give authority for the Senate leadership to negotiate a change in the traditional Crossover Day scheduling. Assuming the House agrees to a deal, Crossover Day could now be pushed forward as early as the 25th legislative day, instead of the 28th legislative day. This alteration adds some legitimacy to speculation that there may be a shorter legislative session this year.. Another rule change limits the window for making claims regarding sexual harassment from a Senator or staff member. The new rules require any claim made within two years of the incident in question. Previously, there was no statute of limitations for sexual harassment claims. The majority party’s successful motion for engrossment prevented any modifications from occurring via floor amendment, resulting in no adjustments in contested areas before the rules were adopted.  Meanwhile, the House rules were passed with significantly less debate, containing less sweeping changes than their counterpart in the Senate.

Governor Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Duncan Inaugurated

After completing their biennial housekeeping, the House and Senate dissolved and reconvened in a joint session at McCamish Pavilion on Georgia Tech’s campus to inaugurate the state’s other constitutional officers. After being administered the oath of office, Governor Kemp and Lieutenant Governor Duncan acknowledged their families and their teams’ work to get to today in their remarks to the throngs assembled. While Duncan focused his remarks on family and his pledge to keep Georgia at the forefront of the technology industry on the East Coast, Kemp waxed nostalgic and invoked the legacy of his high school coach, the legendary Billy Henderson of Clarke Central High School. Weaving policy around his memories of Coach Henderson, Kemp reminded the crowd of his focus on fully funding education, improving education for the youngest students, expanding high speed broadband across the state, making Georgia the cyber center of the country, addressing Georgians’ healthcare (including mental health) challenges, combating drug abuse and opioid use, and cracking down on gangs and crime. On these issues, he pointed to the words of Coach Henderson, noting “it can be done.”