Georgia Senate elects leaders, adopts rules and calendar in organizational session

The Georgia Senate completed its organizational business Monday, electing leadership and approving procedural resolutions that set rules and calendar dates for the 2025 session.

Senators re-elected Sen. John F. Kennedy, R ist. 18, as president pro tempore. Kennedy was nominated by the majority leader and confirmed by unanimous consent; colleagues praised his experience and leadership. "It is the absolute honor of my life not only to serve the constituents of bridal Georgia in the senate, but also the members of this esteemed body as the president pro tem," Kennedy said after the election.

The chamber also installed James Tripp as secretary of the Senate and Robert Brown as sergeant at arms. Tripp was nominated by the majority leader and sworn in after the body cast a unanimous vote. "Thank you all very much for this incredible honor to serve as your secretary," Tripp said. Robert Brown was re-elected sergeant at arms by unanimous consent.

The Senate adopted several routine resolutions that establish internal operations for the biennium, including:

- SR 1: Notifying the House of Representatives that the Senate has convened (adopted by unanimous consent). - SR 2: Notifying the governor that the General Assembly has convened (adopted by unanimous consent and transmitted to the House). - SR 3: Adoption of the Senate rules, described by proponents as mainly housekeeping and procedural updates; recorded vote on engrossment and final adoption resulted in 55 ye, 1 ye recorded earlier on engrossment and final adoption 55 ye, 1 ye (see transcript votes for specifics). - SR 4: Resolution relative to officials, employees, and committees in the Senate, including pay authorization for staff (adopted 56 ye, 0 ye). - SR 6: The session calendar and adjournment resolution setting crossover and final adjournment dates, including an announced final day of business on Friday, April 4 (adopted 56 ye, 0 ye).

Majority Leader (senator from the 51st) and other leaders outlined the 40-day calendar, noting committee work in March and the governor—xpected state of the state address. The majority leader called attention to "crossover day" and the timetable needed to complete the state budget, and said the chamber will be in session five days this week with committee work and several scheduled work Wednesdays in March.

Votes at a glance

- Election of President Pro Tem: John F. Kennedy (Dist. 18) —lected by unanimous consent. - Secretary of the Senate: James Tripp —lected (unanimous consent and swearing-in). - Sergeant at Arms: Robert (Bob) Brown —lected (unanimous consent). - SR 1: Adopted (unanimous consent). - SR 2: Adopted and transmitted to the House (unanimous consent). - SR 3: Rules of the Senate dopted (roll-call; recorded yeas 55, nays 1 on final adoption as recorded in the transcript). - SR 4: Officials, employees, and committee pay dopted 56 ye, 0 ye. - SR 5: Reauthorization of Senate Special Committee on Investigations dopted 33 ye, 23 ye (see separate article). - SR 6: Meetings and adjournments calendar dopted 56 ye, 0 ye.

The Senate concluded by setting its next convening at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 14; the majority leader noted the timing is after the Georgia Chamber Eggs and Issues breakfast. The rules and calendar approved Monday will govern committee scheduling and floor consideration through the current biennium.