Georgia (U.S. state) Constitution

Infobox document
document_name = Georgia State Constitution


image_width =
image_caption =
date_created = September 25, 1981
date_ratified = November 2, 1982
location_of_document = Georgia Archives
writer = Select Committee on Constitutional Revision
purpose = State Constitution to replace Constitution of 1976

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 is embodied in the bicameral General Assembly. The executive branch is headed by the Governor. The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court. Besides providing for the organization of these branches, the Constitution carefully outlines which powers each branch may exercise.

The Georgia State Constitution was ratified on November 2, 1982 by a vote of the people and became effective on July 1, 1983. It is the newest state constitution in the United States and Georgia's 10th Constitution, replacing the previous 1976 constitution. [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-588&hl=y Georgia Constitution] , Accessed June 27, 2008]

History

Georgia has had ten different constitutions in her history. Prior to having a formal constitution a document entitled Rules and Regulations of the Colony of Georgia was drafted in 1776. [ [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1776.htm Rules and Regulations of the Colony of Georgia] , Accessed June 27, 2008] A year later, in 1777, another constitution was drafted followed by the constitutions of 1789, 1798, 1861 (after joining the Confederate States of America), 1868, 1877, 1945, 1976 and 1983. [ [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/gacontoc.htm Georgia Constitution Web Page] , Accessed June 27, 2008] All prior constitutions up until 1945 were drafted by constitutional convention. [ [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-3249&hl=y Constitutional Conventions] , Accessed June 27, 2008] That year Governor Ellis Arnall appointed a twenty-three member commission devised of all three branches of government to write a new constitution.

Previous versions

The Constitution of 1777 was initiated in April of 1776 by the Georgia Trustees and was completed in February of 1777. This constitution lasted twelve years. Its major characteristics were the separation of powers and the inclusion of basic rights. Most of the power went to the legislature, a unicameral body at the time. Some of the rights included were freedom of religion, freedom of the press and trial by jury. [http://a-s.clayton.edu/trachtenberg/Fleischmann%206th%20Edition.pdf Fleischmann 6th Edition] , Accessed June 27, 2008]

The following Constitution of 1789 came about in order that Georgia's constitution would conform to the new United States Constitution. It was the shortest of Georgia's ten constitutions and was modeled on the federal constitution. The 1789 constitution changed the legislature from a unicameral body to a bicameral body and did away with a formal bill of rights but included those rights within the constitution itself. This constitution also gave the legislature power to choose the governor.

In 1798 the constitution was changed yet again. This version of the document was more detailed and almost twice as long as the previous constitution. Legislative powers were clearly delineated as a result of the Yazoo land scandal Aside from the detail, length and delineation of legislative powers, the 1798 constitution also made the election of the Governor a popular vote of the people and created the Supreme Court.

Georgia's secession from the Union in 1861 brought about the drafting of another constitution closely patterned on the Confederate Constitution. This new constitution has the distinction of being the first of Georgia's constitutions to be submitted to the people for a vote. Moreover, the 1861 constitution had a long bill of rights which was adopted as Article 1 of the constitution.

The end of the war in 1865 brought about a new constitution for Georgia. This document limited the Governor to two terms. It also abolished slavery; repealed the Ordinance of Secession; repudiated the war debt and provided all judges of all courts would be elected by the people, except Supreme Court and Superior Court judges. However, this constitution was rejected when the state refused to ratify the 14th Amendment.

Labeled as the "unconstitutional convention", the convention which created the Constitution of 1868 was made up primarily of Northerners in Georgia and their sympathizers. Several major issues were debated. Among them were the 14th Amendment; electorate qualifications; debts and the separation of powers. Other issues were the authorization of free schools and more appointment power for the Governor.

As Reconstruction ended and Democrats returned to power, support for a new constitution grew and in July of 1877 193 elected members began work on a constitution. This document would restrict legislative power; enact two year terms for legislators and governors; do away with gubernatorial succession and make most judicial appointments the responsibility of the legislature.

The time of the constitutional convention in Georgia would when Governor Ellis Arnall ordered that a commission be put together to create a new constitution. This document would be completed in January of 1945. Its major changes would concern the establishment of a Lieutenant Governor; new constitutional officers, boards and a new state merit system and would grant home rule to counties and cities in the state. Other changes to the constitution included the creation of a state Board of Corrections; a state department of veterans' service, jury service for women, and for the number of state Supreme Court justices to be seven.

The last constitution in Georgia's history, prior to the current Constitution of 1983, was drafted in 1976 by the Office of Legislative Counsel. Basically, this document was a reorganization of the previous document.

Constitution of 1983

In 1977, a select committee was created to discussion revision of the 1976 constitution. Members included the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, the Attorney General, representatives of the General Assembly and the judicial branch. Agreement on a constitution was made in August of 1981 and in August and September of that year the document was submitted to the General Assembly in a special session. The constitution was approved on 25 September 1981 and went to vote in the general election and was ratified on 2 November 1982. The current Constitution streamlined the previous one and did away with authorization for local amendments.

Articles of the Constitution

The Constitution consists of a Preamble and eleven Articles.

Preamble: Statement of Purpose

The Preamble to the Georgia State Constitution is a brief introductory statement describing the principles which the Constitution is meant to serve. It expresses in general terms the intentions of its authors. It does not grant nor prohibit any authority to the state government. However, it has at times been used by the Supreme Court of Georgia to help in deciding a case. For instance, the portion of the Preamble which states "...promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family..." has been used in several court cases regarding family issues such as Clabough v. Rachwal, Dixon v. Dixon and Arnold v. Arnold. [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZqeYfG8alTgC&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=Georgia+%22Bill+of+Rights%22+Constitution&source=web&ots=FHaN2BvURZ&sig=cbi-nwjkv4W_yqcrFhjJYvROJ2s&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result#PPA28,M1 The Georgia Constitution: A Reference Guide By Melvin B. Hill] , Accessed June 28, 2008]

Article I: Bill of Rights

Article One describes the Georgia Bill of Rights. These are the Rights of Persons, the Origin and Structure of Government and other General Provisions. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart1.htm Constitution of Georgia: Article I] , Accessed June 28, 2008] The first Section, the Rights of Persons, lists twenty-eight paragraphs of individual rights. Many of these rights are similar to the rights listed in the United States Bill of Rights. Yet, there are differences. For instance, the Georgia Bill of Rights lists among its freedoms the Freedom of Conscience, which is the "natural and inalienable right to worship God, each according to the dictates of that person's own conscience" without interference and adds the right to religious opinion along with freedom of religion. Section II describes the "origin and foundation of government", the "object of government" the separation of powers and the superiority of civil authority over military authority. Also, this section explicitly describes the separation of church and state. Finally, Section III, General Provisions, deals with Eminent Domain, private ways and Tidewater titles.

Article II: Voting and Elections

Article Two describes Voting and Elections in Georgia. Specifically, the three Sections of the Article deal with the method of voting and the right to register and vote; general provisions and suspension and removal of public officials. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart2.htm Georgia Constitution: Article II] , Accessed June 28, 2008]

Article III: Legislative Branch

Article Three describes the Legislative Branch of Georgia's government. The Article establishes legislative powers; the General Assembly's composition; officers of the General Assembly; organizations and procedures; the enactment of laws; the exercise of legislative power; method of impeachment; insurance regulation; appropriations; and retirement systems. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart3.htm Georgia Constitution: Article III] , Accessed June 28, 2008] Representatives must be at least 21 years old, have been a citizen of the state for at least two years, and be a resident of their district for at least one year. Senators must be 25 years old, have been a citizen for two years, and live in the district they represent for at least one year. Article Three establishes meetings, time limit and adjournment of the General Assembly and allows each house to establish its own rules of procedure, provide for its own employees and interim committees may be created by the General Assembly or by either house.

Article IV: Constitutional Boards and Commissions

Article Four describes Constitutional Boards and Commissions. This Article consists of seven Sections describing six boards and commissions and their powers. Section I deals with the creation of a Public Service Commission to regulate utilities. Section II created a State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Section III instituted a State Personnel Board and Section IV created the State Transportation Board. Sections V and VI are responsible for the Veterans Services Board and the Board of Natural Resources respectively. Section VII deals with qualifications, compensation, removal from office and powers and duties of those boards and their members. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart4.htm Georgia Constitution: Article IV] Accessed June 8, 2008]

Article V: Executive Branch

Article Five describes the Executive Branch of Georgia's government. This Article is made up of four Sections. Section I details the election of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Section II lists the duties and powers of the Governor. Section III discusses other elected officials and Section IV discusses the disability of executive officers and how to go about choosing a successor should an executive officer become permanently disabled. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart5.htm Georgia Constitution: Article V] , Accessed June 28, 2008]

Article VI: Judicial Branch

Article Six describes the Judicial Branch of Georgia's government. This Article contains ten Sections which discuss the different courts and their powers and jurisdictions. Article Six also details the role of the district attorney in Georgia's justice system. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart6.htm Georgia Constitution: Article VI] , Accessed June 28, 2008] Article Six also solidified the courts which, prior to the current constitution, were terribly fragmented.

Article VII: Taxation and Finance

Article Seven deals with Taxation and Finance in Georgia. There are four Sections, each dealing with the power of taxation; exemptions from ad volorem tax; purposes and methods of state taxation and state debt. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart7.htm Georgia Constitution: Article VII] , Accessed June 29, 2008] . Powers of taxation cited in the Constitution include the limitation on grants of tax powers; taxing power limited and uniformity of taxation. Also included are the classification of property; assessment of agricultural land and utilities. Sections II and III, dealing with exemptions from ad volorem taxation and purposes and methods of state taxation respectively, focus on voiding unauthorized tax exemptions; exemptions from taxation on property; locally authorized exemptions; purposes for which powers may be exercised regarding taxation; revenue and the general fund and grants to counties and municipalities. Section IV's role regarding state debt is spelled out in eleven different paragraphs.

Article VIII: Education

Article Eight of the Constitution describes Education. This Article deals with public schools; boards and offices responsible for education; local school systems; taxation and educational assistance. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart8.htm Georgia Constitution: Article VIII] , Accessed June 29, 2008]

Article IX: Counties and Municipal Corporations

Article Nine describes Counties and Municipal Corporations. Article Nine contains seven Sections concerning counties; home rule for counties and municipalities; intergovernmental relations; taxation power of county and municipal governments; limitation on local debt; revenue bonds and community improvement districts. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart9.htm Georgia Constitution: Article IX] , Accessed June 29, 2008]

Article X: Amendments to the Constitution

Article Ten of the Constitution describes Amendments to the Constitution. This Article has only one Section with six paragraphs discussing amendments. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart10.htm Georgia Constitution: Article X] , Accessed June 29, 2008]

Article XI: Miscellaneous Provisions

Article Eleven of the Constitution describes Miscellaneous Provisions. The Article contains one Section with six paragraphs discussing the continuation of officers, boards, commissions, and authorities; judicial review and the preservation of existing law (law prior to the creation and ratification of the Constitution of 1983); confirmation of proceedings of courts and administrative tribunals; the continuation of a number of amendments for the next four years following the 1983 constitution going into effect; special commissions created and the date when the constitution became effective. [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart11.htm Georgia Constitution: Article XI] , Accessed June 29, 2008]

Provisions for changing the Constitution

Article X of the Georgia Constitution provides provisions for changing the constitution. Specifically Paragraphs I, II and IV deal with this subject. In order to amend the constitution or to begin a constitutional convention for the creation of a new document such amendments or discussion of a convention must be proposed by the General Assembly according to Paragraph I. Furthermore, such a a proposal must originate as a resolution in either the Senate or the House of Reprsentatives. Once past this point the "...proposal by the convention to amend this Constitution or for a new Constitution shall be advertised, submitted to, and ratified by the people in the same manner provided for advertisement, submission, and ratification of proposals to amend the Constitution by the General Assembly" according to Paragraph IV.

References

External links

* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/gacontoc.htm Georgia Constitutions]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1777.htm Georgia Constitution of 1777]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1789.htm Georgia Constitution of 1789]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1798.htm Georgia Constitution of 1798]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1861.htm Georgia Constitution of 1861]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1865.htm Georgia Constitution of 1865]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1868.htm Georgia Constitution of 1868]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1877.htm Georgia Constitution of 1877]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1945.htm Georgia Constitution of 1945]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1976.htm Georgia Constitution of 1976]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/con1983.htm Georgia Constitution of 1983]
* [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/contoc.htm Georgia Constitution of 1983, as amended]