Redraw Georgia's congressional and state district map
Representative David Wilkerson (Cobb county) and I share a few light moments in an otherwise tense session.
[December 18, 2023] | Right after Thanksgiving, the Georgia General Assembly returned to the Gold Dome and convened for a special legislative session. We were called into this special session following a court ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Steve Jones instructing the General Assembly to redraw Georgia's congressional and state district maps.
The House Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting held several public hearings throughout the special session to hear public testimony on proposed remedial House, Senate, and congressional maps before the legislation reached the House floor for a vote. To maximize our time under the Gold Dome during the special session, many other House committees, like my Transportation committee, also held hearings in preparation for the next regular legislative session.
The first piece of legislation that my colleagues and I voted on in the House was House Bill 1EX, or the "Georgia House of Representatives Redistricting Act of 2023," the remedial House district map. This bill was passed in the House on Friday, December 1, 2023, and was then voted on by our counterparts in the Senate on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, where it received final passage. This legislation has now been sent to Governor Kemp for his consideration. There were no changes to the Pickens, Cherokee, or Forsyth parts of this map.
Additionally, the House gave final approval to Senate Bill 1EX, the "Georgia Senate Redistricting Act of 2023," which is the remedial Senate district map, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. After receiving final passage in the House, SB 1EX was also sent to the Governor to be signed into law. Similarly there were no changes to the Pickens ,Cherokee, or Forsyth maps.
On the final day of the special session, the House voted on Senate Bill 3EX, the "Georgia Congressional Redistricting Act of 2023," which would adjust the composition of Georgia's congressional districts. SB 3EX received final passage on the House floor on Thursday, December 7, 2023, and was also sent to the Governor's desk. There were also no changes in who the congressman who represents us will be.
This is the third one of these I have been a part of, and I am always impressed at the passion and outreach of our constituents on this important matter. I enjoyed talking with all of you over the past few weeks.
If you want a copy of the map, I will be glad to send to you a link to in for your computer, or you can go to the Georgia General Assembly webpage, "Joint Office of the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment." Look at "Proposed Maps." You can also read the public comments that were entered.
Next week I will cover the resolutions and other things we did during the special session.
The General Assembly will convene for the 2024 regular legislative session on Monday, January 8, 2024. During my time at home, I will be looking ahead and preparing for the regular session, so I encourage you to contact me regarding legislative issues that are important to you, your family and our community.
You can reach my Capitol office at 404-656-7153 or rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov. Of course, contact me locally at 770-893-2039 or talk to me when you see me in town.
Marcia and I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative for House District 11.