The 2022 Legislative Session kicked off on Monday with new faces in leadership. After the untimely passing of the House Speaker David Ralston last year, the House voted for Majority Leader Jon Burns as the 75th Speaker of the House. Newly elected Lt. Governor Burt Jones will lead the Senate. The Senate also elected Sen. John Kennedy to serve as President Pro Tempore. The 236-member general assembly welcomed 53 new members. This year’s group is the most diverse general assembly in state history.
In Gwinnett, the county’s legislative delegation grew to 30 members: 21 house members and 9 senate members. This gives Gwinnett a nearly 13 percent representation under the gold dome.
On Thursday, Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Attorney General Chris Carr, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, State School Superintendent Richard Woods, and Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson were all officially sworn into office.
Governor Kemp released his budget proposals this week, which includes the use of $1 billion of undesignated revenues for another round of refunds to taxpayers ($250 for single filers and $500 for joint filers), the creation of one-time Homeowner Tax Relief Grants (HTRG), and a $2,000 pay increase for all state employees in FY 2024.
Next week, the House and Senate will not be in session but will instead hold hearings on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
Notable leadership positions from Gwinnett Members
Rep. Chuck Efstration – House Majority Leader
Rep. Sam Park – House Minority Whip
Rep. Billy Mitchell – House Minority Caucus Chairman
Rep. Karen Bennett – House Minority Caucus Vice-Chairman
Sen. Gloria Butler – Senate Minority Leader
Sen. Clint Dixon – Chair, Senate Education and Youth Committee
Sen. Bill Cowsert – Chair, Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee
Rep. Dewey McClain – Chair, Gwinnett State House Delegation
Rep. Rey Martinez – Vice Chair, Gwinnett State House Delegation
Rep. Shelly Hutchinson – Secretary, Gwinnett State House Delegation
Key dates
March 6 – Crossover Day (last day in which bills can pass from one chamber to another to still be considered)
March 29 – Sine Die (last day of session)
For a complete list of all elected officials that represent Gwinnett, visit https://gwinnettchamber.org/gwinnett-elected-officials/.