As the legislative session began in January of 2023, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp entered his second and final term as governor. Governor Kemp’s legislative priorities included business development and government reform. He also stated a focus on rural Georgia. View Governor Kemp’s full list of priorities here.
Despite recent high-profile state elections, Republicans still hold control in Georgia. The Republican party controls:
- The Office of the Governor
- Both chambers of the State House
- The Secretary of State
- The State Attorney General
Entering the 2023 session, Republicans held 98 of 180 seats in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, they held 32 of the 56 seats.
Ahead of the session, the Senate Republican Majority Caucus outlined their 2023 legislative priorities. Likewise, Georgia’s Senate Democratic Caucus announced their legislative agenda for 2023-2024.
2023 Session Data: Georgia Legislature
This year’s legislative session lasted from January 9 until March 29. The general assembly passed 367 bills into law, out of 2,371 introduced. Major initiatives passed into law focused on:
- Taxation
- Economic investments
- Elections
- Education
- Abortion
- Crime policy
This represents a decrease in activity from 2022, when the general assembly passed 891 bills into law out of 4,521 introduced.
Legislative Trends in Georgia
In 2023, key legislative trends in Georgia include:
- Environment
- Education
- Voting rights
- LGBTQIA+ issues
- Gun legislation
- The public safety training center known as “Cop City”
Key Takeaways: Georgia’s 2023 Legislative Session
Throughout the 2023 legislative session, the Georgia legislature passed 15.47% of the bills introduced. The legislature met many of its goals. With a Republican majority, their efforts were not thwarted by the Democratic caucus. However, facing court challenges, Republicans will likely wait many months to continue with their agenda.
