Constitution of the State of Georgia — Full Text | Syfert Law

Constitution of the State of Georgia

The 1983 Constitution, as amended — every article, section, and paragraph with annotations, cross references, and case-law links. The U.S. Constitution with Georgia annotations follows. See also the Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.).

Article I — Bill Of Rights
Section I
¶ ILife, liberty, and property
¶ IIProtection to person and property; equal protection
¶ IIIFreedom of conscience
¶ IVReligious opinions; freedom of religion
¶ VFreedom of speech and of the press guaranteed
¶ VILibel
¶ VIICitizens, protection of
¶ VIIIArms, right to keep and bear
¶ IXRight to assemble and petition
¶ XBill of attainder; ex post facto laws; and retroactive laws
¶ XIRight to trial by jury; number of jurors; selection and compensation of jurors
¶ XIIRight to the courts
¶ XIIISearches, seizures, and warrants
¶ XIVBenefit of counsel; accusation; list of witnesses; compulsory process
¶ XVHabeas corpus
¶ XVISelf-incrimination
¶ XVIIBail; fines; punishment; arrest, abuse of prisoners
¶ XVIIIJeopardy of life or liberty more than once forbidden
¶ XIXTreason
¶ XXConviction, effect of
¶ XXIBanishment and whipping as punishment for crime
¶ XXIIInvoluntary servitude
¶ XXIIIImprisonment for debt
¶ XXIVCosts
¶ XXVStatus of the citizen
¶ XXVIExemptions from levy and sale
¶ XXVIISpouse's separate property
¶ XXVIIIFishing and hunting
¶ XXIXEnumeration of rights not denial of others
Section II
¶ IOrigin and foundation of government
¶ IIObject of government
¶ IIISeparation of legislative, judicial, and executive powers
¶ IVContempts
¶ VWhat acts void
¶ VISuperiority of civil authority
¶ VIISeparation of church and state
¶ VIIILotteries and nonprofit bingo games
¶ IXSovereign immunity and waiver thereof; claims against the state and its departments, agencies, officers, and employees
Section III
¶ IEminent domain
¶ IIPrivate ways
¶ IIITidewater titles confirmed
Section IV
¶ IRecognition of marriage
Article II — Voting And Elections
Section I
¶ IMethod of voting
¶ IIRight to register and vote
¶ IIIExceptions to right to register and vote
Section II
¶ IProcedures to be provided by law
¶ IIRun-off election
¶ IIIPersons not eligible to hold office
¶ IVRecall of public officials holding elective office
¶ VVacancies created by elected officials qualifying for other office
Section III
¶ IProcedures for and effect of suspending or removing public officials upon felony indictment
¶ IISuspension upon felony conviction
Article III — Legislative Branch
Section I
¶ IPower vested in General Assembly
Section II
¶ ISenate and House of Representatives
¶ IIApportionment of General Assembly
¶ IIIQualifications of members of General Assembly
¶ IVDisqualifications
¶ VElection and term of members
Section III
¶ IPresident and President Pro Tempore of the Senate
¶ IISpeaker and Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives
¶ IIIOther officers of the two houses
Section IV
¶ IMeeting, time limit, and adjournment
¶ IIOath of members
¶ IIIQuorum
¶ IVRules of procedure; employees; interim committees
¶ VVacancies
¶ VISalaries
¶ VIIElection and returns; disorderly conduct
¶ VIIIContempts, how punished
¶ IXPrivilege of members
¶ XElections by either house
¶ XIOpen meetings
Section V — Judicial Decisions
¶ IJournals and laws
¶ IIBills for revenue
¶ IIIOne subject matter expressed
¶ IVStatutes and sections of Code, how amended
¶ VMajority of members to pass bill
¶ VIWhen roll-call vote taken
¶ VIIReading of general bills
¶ VIIIProcedure for considering local legislation
¶ IXAdvertisement of notice to introduce local legislation
¶ XActs signed
¶ XISignature of Governor
¶ XIIRejected bills
¶ XIIIApproval, veto, and override of veto of bills and resolutions
¶ XIVJointly sponsored bills and resolutions
Section VI
¶ IGeneral powers
¶ IISpecific powers
¶ IIIPowers not to be abridged
¶ IVLimitations on special legislation
¶ VSpecific limitations
¶ VIGratuities
¶ VIIRegulation of alcoholic beverages
Section VII
¶ IPower to impeach
¶ IITrial of impeachments
¶ IIIJudgments in impeachment
Section VIII
¶ IRegulation of insurance
¶ IIIssuance of licenses
Section IX — Judicial Decisions
¶ IPublic money, how drawn
¶ IIPreparation, submission, and enactments of general appropriations bill
¶ IIIGeneral appropriations bill
¶ IVGeneral appropriations Act
¶ VOther or supplementary appropriations
¶ VIAppropriations to be for specific sums
¶ VIIAppropriations void, when
Section X
¶ IExpenditure of public funds authorized
¶ IIIncreasing benefits authorized
¶ IIIRetirement systems covering employees of county boards of education
¶ IVFiremen's pension system
¶ VFunding standards
¶ VIInvoluntary separation; part-time service
Article IV — Constitutional Boards And Commissions
Section I
¶ IPublic Service Commission
Section II
¶ IState Board of Pardons and Paroles
¶ IIPowers and authority
Section III
¶ IState Personnel Board
¶ IIVeterans preference
Section IV
¶ IState Transportation Board; commissioner
Section V
¶ IVeterans Service Board; commissioner
Section VI
¶ IBoard of Natural Resources
Section VII
¶ IQualifications, compensation, and removal from office
¶ IIPowers and duties
Section VIII
Article V — Executive Branch
Section I
¶ IGovernor: term of office; compensation and allowances
¶ IIElection for Governor
¶ IIILieutenant Governor
¶ IVQualifications of Governor and Lieutenant Governor
¶ VSuccession to executive power
¶ VIOath of office
Section II — Judicial Decisions
¶ IExecutive powers
¶ IILaw enforcement
¶ IIICommander in chief
¶ IVVeto power
¶ VWrits of election
¶ VIInformation and recommendations to the General Assembly
¶ VIISpecial sessions of the General Assembly
¶ VIIIFilling vacancies
¶ IXAppointments by Governor
¶ XInformation from officers and employees
Section III
¶ IOther executive officers, how elected
¶ IIQualifications
¶ IIIPowers, duties, compensation, and allowances of other executive officers
¶ IVAttorney General; duties
Section IV — Research References
¶ I"Elected constitutional executive officer," how defined
¶ IIProcedure for determining disability
¶ IIIEffect of determination of disability
Article VI — Judicial Branch
Section I — Judicial Decisions
¶ IJudicial power of the state
¶ IIUnified judicial system
¶ IIIJudges; exercise of power outside own court; scope of term "judge."
¶ IVExercise of judicial power
¶ VUniformity of jurisdiction, powers, etc
¶ VIJudicial circuits; courts in each county; court sessions
¶ VIIJudicial circuits, courts, and judgeships, law changed
¶ VIIITransfer of cases
¶ IXRules of evidence; law prescribed
¶ XAuthorization for pilot projects
Section II — Judicial Decisions
¶ IDivorce cases
¶ IILand titles
¶ IIIEquity cases
¶ IVSuits against joint obligors, copartners, or joint trespassers
¶ VSuits against maker, endorser, etc
¶ VIAll other cases
¶ VIIVenue in third-party practice
¶ VIIIPower to change venue
Section III
¶ IJurisdiction of classes of courts of limited jurisdiction
Section IV
¶ IJurisdiction of superior courts
Section V
¶ IComposition of Court of Appeals; Chief Judge
¶ IIPanels as prescribed
¶ IIIJurisdiction of Court of Appeals; decisions binding
¶ IVCertification of question to Supreme Court
¶ VEqual division of court
Section VI — Judicial Decisions
¶ IComposition of Supreme Court; Chief Justice; Presiding Justice; quorum; substitute judges
¶ IIExclusive appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court
¶ IIIGeneral appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court
¶ IVJurisdiction over questions of law from state appellate or federal district or appellate courts
¶ VReview of cases in Court of Appeals
¶ VIDecisions of Supreme Court binding
Section VII
¶ IElection; term of office
¶ IIQualifications
¶ IIIVacancies
¶ IVPeriod of service of appointees
¶ VCompensation and allowances of judges
¶ VIJudicial Qualifications Commission; power; composition
¶ VIIDiscipline, removal, and involuntary retirement of judges
¶ VIIIDue process; review by Supreme Court
Section VIII
¶ IDistrict attorneys; vacancies; qualifications; compensation; duties; immunity
¶ IIDiscipline, removal, and involuntary retirement of district attorneys
Section IX
¶ IAdministration of the judicial system; uniform court rules; advice and consent of councils
¶ IIDisposition of cases
Section X
¶ IEffect of ratification
¶ IIContinuation of judges
Article VII — Taxation And Finance
Section I
¶ ITaxation; limitations on grants of tax powers
¶ IITaxing power limited
¶ IIIUniformity; classification of property; assessment of agricultural land; utilities
Section II
¶ IUnauthorized tax exemptions void
¶ IIExemptions from taxation of property
¶ IIIExemptions which may be authorized locally
¶ IVCurrent property tax exemptions preserved
¶ VDisabled veteran's homestead exemption
Section IIA
Section III — Judicial Decisions
¶ ITaxation; purposes for which powers may be exercised
¶ IIRevenue to be paid into general fund
¶ IIIGrants to counties and municipalities
¶ IVIncrease in state income tax rate prohibited
Section IV
¶ IPurposes for which debt may be incurred
¶ IIState general obligation debt and guaranteed revenue debt; limitations
¶ IIIState general obligation debt and guaranteed revenue debt; conditions upon issuance; sinking funds and reserve funds
¶ IVCertain contracts prohibited
¶ VRefunding of debt
¶ VIFaith and credit of state pledged debt may be validated
¶ VIIGeorgia State Financing and Investment Commission; duties
¶ VIIIState aid forbidden
¶ IXConstruction
¶ XAssumption of debts forbidden; exceptions
¶ XISection not to unlawfully impair contracts or revive obligations previously voided
¶ XIIMultiyear contracts for energy efficiency or conservation improvement
¶ XIIIMultiyear rental agreements
Article VIII — Education
Section I
¶ IPublic education; free public education prior to college or postsecondary level; support by taxation
Section II
¶ IState Board of Education
Section III
¶ IState School Superintendent
Section IV
¶ IUniversity System of Georgia; board of regents
Section V
¶ ISchool systems continued; consolidation of school systems authorized; new independent school systems prohibited
¶ IIBoards of education
¶ IIISchool superintendents
¶ IVReserved
¶ VPower of boards to contract with each other
¶ VIPower of boards to accept bequests, donations, grants, and transfers
¶ VIISpecial schools
Section VI
¶ ILocal taxation for education
¶ IIIncreasing or removing tax rate
¶ IIISchool tax collection reimbursement
¶ IVSales tax for educational purposes
Section VII
¶ IEducational assistance programs authorized
¶ IIGuaranteed revenue debt
¶ IIIPublic authorities
¶ IVWaiver of tuition
Article IX — Counties And Municipal Corporations
Section I
¶ ICounties a body corporate and politic
¶ IINumber of counties limited; county boundaries and county sites; county consolidation
¶ IIICounty officers; election; term; compensation
¶ IVCivil service systems
Section II
¶ IHome rule for counties
¶ IIHome rule for municipalities
¶ IIISupplementary powers
¶ IVPlanning and zoning
¶ VEminent domain
¶ VISpecial districts
¶ VIICommunity redevelopment
¶ VIIILimitation on the taxing power and contributions of counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions
¶ IXImmunity of counties, municipalities, and school districts
Section III
¶ IIntergovernmental contracts
¶ IILocal government reorganization
Section IV
¶ IPower of taxation
¶ IIPower of expenditure
¶ IIIPurposes of taxation; allocation of taxes
¶ IVTax allocation; regional facilities
Section V
¶ IDebt limitations of counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions
¶ IISpecial district debt
¶ IIIRefunding of outstanding indebtedness
¶ IVExceptions to debt limitations
¶ VTemporary loans authorized
¶ VILevy of taxes to pay bonds; sinking fund required
¶ VIIValidity of prior bond issues
Section VI
¶ IRevenue bonds; general limitations
¶ IIRevenue bonds; special limitations
¶ IIIDevelopment authorities
¶ IVValidation
¶ VValidity of prior revenue bond issues
Section VII
¶ ICreation
¶ IIPurposes
¶ IIIAdministration
¶ IVDebt
¶ VCooperation with local governments
¶ VIRegulation by general law
Article X — Amendments To The Constitution
Section I
¶ IProposals to amend the Constitution; new Constitution
¶ IIProposals by the General Assembly; submission to the people
¶ IIIRepeal or amendment of proposal
¶ IVConstitutional convention; how called
¶ VVeto not permitted
¶ VIEffective date of amendments or of a new Constitution
Article XI — Miscellaneous Provisions
Section I
¶ IContinuation of officers, boards, commissions, and authorities
¶ IIPreservation of existing laws; judicial review
¶ IIIProceedings of courts and administrative tribunals confirmed
¶ IVContinuation of certain constitutional amendments for a period of four years
¶ VSpecial commission created
¶ VIEffective date

Constitution of the United States

As printed in the Georgia Code volumes, with Georgia-specific annotations and case notes.

Article I
§ 1Section 1
§ 2Section 2
§ 3Section 3
§ 4Section 4
§ 5Section 5
§ 6Section 6
§ 7Section 7
§ 8Section 8
§ 9Section 9
§ 10Section 10
Article II
§ 1Section 1
§ 2Section 2
§ 3Section 3
§ 4Section 4
Article III
§ 1Section 1
§ 2Section 2
§ 3Section 3
Article IV
§ 1Section 1
§ 2Section 2
§ 3Section 3
§ 4Section 4
Amendments
Amend. I[Amendment I]
Amend. II[Amendment II]
Amend. III[Amendment III]
Amend. IV[Amendment IV]
Amend. V[Amendment V]
Amend. VI[Amendment VI]
Amend. VII[Amendment VII]
Amend. VIII[Amendment VIII]
Amend. IX[Amendment IX]
Amend. X[Amendment X]
Amend. XI[Amendment XI]
Amend. XII[Amendment XII]
Amend. XIII[Amendment XIII]
Amend. XIV[Amendment XIV]
Amend. XV[Amendment XV]
Amend. XVI[Amendment XVI]
Amend. XVII[Amendment XVII]
Amend. XVIII[Amendment XVIII]
Amend. XIX[Amendment XIX]
Amend. XX[Amendment XX]
Amend. XXI[Amendment XXI]
Amend. XXII[Amendment XXII]
Amend. XXIII[Amendment XXIII]
Amend. XXIV[Amendment XXIV]
Amend. XXV[Amendment XXV]
Amend. XXVI[Amendment XXVI]
Amend. XXVII[Amendment XXVII]