Simone Lawson
The Constitution of the State of Georgia outlines the three branches of government in the state. Georgia has had 12 ruling documents, from the colonial charter issued in 1732 to the current state constitution, which was ratified in 1982 and adopted in 1983. The three branches outlined in the constitution are the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of branches | 3 |
| Legislative branch | Article III |
| Executive branch | Article V |
| Judicial branch | Article VI |
| Constitutional boards and commissions | Article IV |
| Education | Article VIII |
| Number of amendments | 91 |
| Current constitution ratified | November 2, 1982 |
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What You'll Learn
The legislative branch
The Constitution of the State of Georgia outlines the three branches of government in the state: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch is the focus of Article III of the Georgia Constitution, which establishes and defines it.
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The executive branch
The Georgia Constitution outlines three branches of government, one of which is the executive branch. The executive branch is established in Article V of the Georgia Constitution and is directed by the governor, who is the main executive official and head of state. The governor is elected to a four-year term by Georgia voters and is not allowed to hold office for more than two consecutive terms.
The governor oversees the state budget and leads an executive branch of more than 100,000 employees. They are in charge of nominating officials to positions in the state government, although these nominations must be approved by the Georgia General Assembly. The governor also interacts with other state leaders and agencies, cities and states, and the federal government. They play a role in negotiating trade relationships and commercial ties with foreign interests.
In addition to the governor, there are seven other popularly elected constitutional executive officers: the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, the attorney general, the state school superintendent, and the commissioners of agriculture, insurance, and labor. Each of these officials presides over their own executive department. The executive branch also includes various agencies, boards, and commissions, such as the Georgia Public Service Commission, which reports to the governor. Three services dominate the executive branch's budget: education, public health programs, and transportation.
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The judicial branch
The Constitution of the State of Georgia is the governing document of the U.S. State of Georgia. The constitution outlines the three branches of government in Georgia: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.
There are five classes of trial-level courts: the superior court, the state court, the juvenile court, the probate court, and the magistrate court. The superior court is the most familiar trial court in Georgia's judicial branch, with each county having at least one superior court or being part of a judicial circuit composed of several counties. Superior courts have general jurisdiction, meaning they hear almost any civil or criminal case. The juvenile court has 120 full- and part-time judges who hear juvenile cases exclusively. Full-time juvenile judges cannot practice law while holding office. The magistrate court has jurisdiction over civil claims of $15,000 or less, dispossessory writs, county ordinance violations, misdemeanor deposit account fraud (bad checks), preliminary hearings, issuance of summons, arrest warrants, and search warrants.
In addition to the seven levels of courts, the judicial branch also includes various agencies, boards, and commissions. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, for example, is a board created by the Constitution that outlines how parole can be given.
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Constitutional boards and commissions
The Georgia Constitution outlines three branches of government: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Article Four of the Georgia Constitution describes the Constitutional Boards and Commissions. This Article consists of seven sections that detail six boards and commissions and their powers.
Section I of Article Four establishes the Public Service Commission, which is responsible for regulating utilities. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is created under Section II, and it outlines the process of granting parole. Section III establishes the State Personnel Board and outlines the process of selecting its members.
Section IV of Article Four establishes the State Transportation Board. Sections V and VI are responsible for the Department of Veterans Service and are overseen by the Veterans Service Board. Section V outlines the qualifications, compensations, removal from office, and powers and duties of members of Constitutional boards and commissions.
The Georgia Constitution also establishes several other boards and commissions, such as the Board of Community Affairs, the Board of Community Health, the Board of Public Safety, and the Courts Automation Commission. These boards and commissions are created under statutory law or by executive order and serve as administrative agencies or advisory councils.
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Amendments to the constitution
The Constitution of the State of Georgia is the governing document of the US State of Georgia. The Constitution outlines the three branches of government in Georgia: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in the Georgia legislature and must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of both the state House and state Senate. Following approval, the amendment must be ratified by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly at the next general election.
The Georgia Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. A constitutional convention can occur in Georgia if a two-thirds majority of the members of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly agree to hold it. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. The General Assembly is authorized to provide the procedure by which a convention is called and operated, and other matters relative to such a convention.
The current Georgia State Constitution was ratified on November 2, 1982, replacing the previous 1976 constitution. The Constitution of 1983 brought the largest re-write since 1877. Amendments in 1992 and 2004 allowed for the creation of the lottery and banned recognition of same-sex marriage, respectively. Through 2018, 85 amendments were ratified, with an additional six amendments approved through 2024.
Examples of proposed amendments on Georgia's 2024 ballot include capping how much a home's assessed value can increase each year, introducing a local sales tax option, and increasing the personal property tax exemption.
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Frequently asked questions
The Georgia Constitution outlines three branches of government.
The three branches of government outlined in the Georgia Constitution are the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.
The legislative branch is embodied in the bicameral General Assembly, which consists of the Georgia Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives. It is responsible for creating, debating, and determining the laws that guide the state, as well as determining the state's operating budget.
The executive branch is headed by the Governor, who is the main executive official and head of state of Georgia. The Governor is elected to a 4-year term by Georgia voters and is in charge of overseeing the state budget and leading the executive branch.
