Georgia State Senate

Georgia State Senate
Georgia General Assembly
Type
Type	Upper House
Term limits	None
History
New session started	January 12, 2015
Leadership
President	Casey Cagle (R) Since January 8, 2007
President pro tempore	David Shafer (R) Since January 14, 2013
Majority Leader	Bill Cowsert (R) Since November 17, 2014
Minority Leader	Steve Henson (D) Since June 20, 2011
Structure
Seats	56
Political groups	Republican Party: 39 seats   Democratic Party: 17 seats
Length of term	2 years
Authority	Article III, Georgia Constitution
Salary	$17,342/year + per diem
Elections
Last election	November 4, 2014 (56 seats)
Next election	November 8, 2016 (56 seats)
Redistricting	Legislative Control
Meeting place
State Senate Chamber Georgia Capitol Atlanta, Georgia
Website
www.senate.ga.gov

Coordinates: 33°44′57″N 84°23′18″W / 33.749052°N 84.388331°W / 33.749052; -84.388331

The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly (the state legislature of Georgia, USA).

According to the state 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, a citizen 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 Governor Casey Cagle. The second highest position is that of President Pro Tempore, currently held by Senator David Shafer.

The presiding officer of the Senate is the President of the Senate. A President Pro 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 President Pro Tempore becomes President. The Senate also has as an officer the Secretary of the Senate.