State Government of Georgia A Summary of Agencies and Programs
GEORGIA Largest state east of the Mississippi River One of the original 13 colonies Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe Grown to home of 10 million people Legislature dates back to 1751 State formed and first constitution written in 1777 13 th stripe and the 4 th star on our nation s flag
GEORGIA Over the centuries, Georgia has refined and reworked its constitution, most recently in 1983. Under its framework, the legislature has created a complex structure of more than 140 departments, agencies, authorities, councils, and boards to administer state government programs and to educate the people of Georgia. Currently, there are nearly 80 state agencies and authorities which most Georgians and our state s local governments will at one time or another come in contact.
Offices of Government
Offices of the Governor Responsible for appointing many department heads Hundreds of appointments to approximately 135 state boards Several state agencies and attached departments serving the Office of the Governor
Office of Planning and Budget Staff work full-time throughout the year reviewing and overseeing the Governor s budget for all of state government. Currently, the annual state budget is approximately $23.7 billion. Track agency expenditures and provide the Governor with constant vigilance over the state s budgets and programs.
Office of Planning and Budget General Assembly appropriates funds The General Assembly shall annually appropriate those state and federal funds necessary to operate all the various departments and agencies (Georgia Constitution art. 3, 9, 2(b)) Governor recommends and manages the budget The Governor, through the Office of Planning and Budget, shall have such supervision of every public department, agency, and institution as shall be necessary to secure uniformity and accuracy of accounts and efficient conduct of its fiscal affairs. He may inquire into the methods of conducting the affairs of any public body; he may prescribe and direct the use of such forms of accounts, records, and reports as may be necessary to further efficiency and an adequate system of records for budget-making purposes; and he may prescribe and direct the use of standards of efficiency for public employees, including the establishment of working hours. (OCGA 45-12-72 (b))
Georgia s Annual Budget Cycle IMPLEMENT Fiscal Year Starts July 1 Agencies submit Annual Operating Budgets (AOBs) June May July 10 9 April 11 August 8 12 7 Agencies submit budget requests to OPB September 1 6 October 2 5 November 3 4 December January PREPARE Budgets Due to OPB September 1 APPROPRIATE March February Legislative Appropriations Process
Agencies begin preparing next year s budget requests OPB Approves AOBs Next year s budget instructions sent to agencies Agencies submit Annual Operating Budgets (AOBs) Georgia s Annual Budget Cycle OPB manages and monitors the budget through amendments and allotments. OPB reviews expenditures & consults with agencies on budget issues. Governor signs appropriations bill June May July 10 9 April 11 August 8 March Start 12 7 September February Agencies submit budget requests to OPB October November December January Legislature passes appropriations bill & sends it to Governor 1 6 2 5 3 4 OPB analyzes requests OPB budget recommendations to Governor Governor meets w/ Agencies Governor s final budget decisions Governor s budget to General Assembly Legislative Appropriations Process
30-Month Planning and Budget Cycle
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
Secretary of State Under the Georgia Constitution, several high state officials, known as Constitutional Officers, are elected directly by the people every four years, in the same year as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. One of those officers is the Secretary of State. Administers elections Maintains professional licensing boards; regulates securities Registers corporations and nonprofit organizations
Attorney General Administers the state Law Department Provides legal advice to all state agencies and maintains the state s Consumer Protection Unit Represents the State of Georgia in court Prosecutes public corruption cases Provides contracts and agreements whenever the State of Georgia is involved
State School Superintendent Serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Education Directs the State Department of Education throughout the state Ensures that state education laws and regulations are followed by some 181 school districts, 2,200 schools, 114,000 teachers and 1.6 million students Allocates state and federal funds to school systems
State Insurance & Safety Fire Commissioner Licenses and regulates insurance companies Ensures that insurance rates, rules, and forms comply with state law Investigates suspicions of insurance fraud Conducts inspections of buildings and houses to prevent fire outbreak
Commissioner of Agriculture Heads the Department of Agriculture Works to protect and promote agriculture and consumer interests Ensures an abundance of safe food and fiber
Labor Commissioner Matches qualified job seekers with employers Administers state unemployment insurance system Gathers, maintains, and reports labor market information Administers laws related to child labor
Public Service Commissioner The Georgia Public Service Commission is quasilegislative, quasi-judicial regulatory agency comprised of five elected officials, each of whom Represents one of five districts in Georgia Serves a 6-year term Helps regulate electric, natural gas and telecommunicati ons services which are provided primarily by the private sector
JUDICIAL BRANCH Supreme Court 9 Justices Court of Appeals 15 Judges - 4 Divisions Superior Court 49 Circuits Municipal Magistrate Probate Juvenile State Court Court Court Court Court 370 Courts 159 Courts 159 Courts 159 Courts 72 Courts
STATE FINANCING AND INVESTMENT COMMISSION
State Financing and Investment Commission The Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission is made up of seven members who are responsible for managing the State s debt. Governor Lieutenant Governor Speaker of the House Attorney General Commissioner of Agriculture State Auditor State Treasurer
State Financing and Investment Commission Schedules and sells general obligation bonds Disburses money collected on the bonds Manages all projects that receive bonds
Governor s Categories Category Percentage Educated Georgia 53.1% Healthy Georgia 21.7% Safe Georgia 8.1% Growing Georgia 1.3% Mobile Georgia 7.2% Responsible/Efficient Government 3.4% Debt Management 5.1%
Education Governmental Administration Health & Human Services Transportation Public Safety Physical & Economic Development
Education
Education Department of Early Care and Learning Georgia Department of Education Technical College System of Georgia Board of Regents, University System State Charter Schools Commission Governor s Office of Student Achievement Student Finance Commission Georgia Lottery Corporation Georgia Professional Standards Commission Teachers Retirement System of Georgia Georgia Public Broadcasting Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
Education More than 50% of the annual state budget goes to education, from Pre-K to college.
Education Higher Education - Board of Regents oversees the 29 colleges and universities that make up the University System of Georgia as well as: Georgia Archives Georgia Public Library System The Board elects a chancellor who serves as its CEO and the chief administrative officer of the University System.
Education Technical College System of Georgia Georgia Lottery 24 colleges located throughout the state Helps fund education Offers technical education, custom business and industry training, and adult education programs Products help raise educational funding, particularly for the Pre-K Program and Georgia s HOPE Scholarship and Grant Program
Health & Human Services
Health & Human Services Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Department of Human Services Department of Public Health Department of Community Health Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (ablegeorgia) Georgia Department of Veterans Service Office of the Child Advocate Governor s Office for Children and Families Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission
Health & Human Services Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities provides treatment and support services to people with behavioral health challenges, addictive diseases, and developmental disabilities with goal of allowing citizens to live in their home communities. Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities convenes public and private organizations, individuals, family members, and supporters to develop coordinated public policy on this issue.
Health & Human Services Georgia Department of Community Health oversees the state's Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, Planning for Healthy Babies, and Medicaid Waiver programs. It also manages the State Health Benefit Plan and works to improve access to healthcare in rural and underserved areas.
Health & Human Services Division of Family and Children Services investigates child and elderly abuse, facilitates adoption and foster parenting, accepts applications for Medicaid, assists single parents in collecting child support, helps senior citizens remain self-sufficient, and runs the Food Stamp and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs, among other tasks.
Health & Human Services Georgia Department of Public Health serves as the lead agency in preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a health perspective. Locally, the department funds and collaborates with Georgia's 159 county health departments and 18 public health districts.
Public Safety
Public Safety Georgia Bureau of Investigation Georgia Department of Defense Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Governor s Office of Highway Safety Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Georgia Public Safety Training Center Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council Georgia Department of Public Safety Georgia Department of Corrections Georgia Department of Community Supervision State Board of Pardons and Paroles Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Public Safety Assists criminal investigations, provides forensic laboratory services, and updates computerized criminal justice information. Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Georgia State Patrol, the Capitol Police, and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division.
Public Safety One of the largest prison systems in the U.S. Responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. Grants paroles, pardons, reprieves, remissions, and commutations. The Board is also responsible for restoring civil and political rights for released offenders.
Public Safety Provides wide range of services at 26 facilities and 98 court services offices. Supervises, detains, and oversees treatment programs for youth referred by juvenile courts, and in collaboration with other groups. 52,000+ served annually. One of Georgia s largest educators, offering youth in custody the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and career vocational skills.
Public Safety Coordinates and supervises all agencies and functions of the Georgia National Guard, including the Georgia Army National Guard, the Georgia Air National Guard, and the Georgia State Defense Force, which provide ready military forces wherever they are needed.
Public Safety Works with other government agencies to teach preparedness to lessen the effects of hazards. Responds to disasters and spearheads recovery efforts throughout the state. Supports homeland security initiatives that protect state residents' lives and property.
Public Safety Responsible for the supervision of about 180,000 adult felony offenders and designated juvenile offenders. It is the sole entity for enacting rules and regulations related to probation services.
Physical & Economic Development Georgia Department of Economic Development Georgia Ports Authority Governor s Office of Workforce Development Georgia Department of Community Affairs Georgia Development Authority Georgia World Congress Center Authority Georgia Department of Agriculture Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority and National Fairgrounds & Agricenter
Physical & Economic Development Georgia Department of Economic Development Georgia Department of Community Affairs Georgia Department of Agriculture Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority and National Fairgrounds and Agricenter Georgia Development Authority Georgia Ports Authority Georgia World Congress Center Authority
Physical & Economic Development Georgia Department of Natural Resources Georgia Environmental Protection Division Georgia Environmental Finance Authority Georgia Forestry Commission Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Jekyll Island Authority Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village North Georgia Mountains Authority Stone Mountain Memorial Association
Physical & Economic Development The Georgia Department of Economic Development markets Georgia to the world by encouraging business investment and trade, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a go-to location for film, music, digital entertainment, and the arts. The Georgia Council for the Arts and Workforce are also divisions of this agency.
Physical & Economic Development The Georgia Department of Community Affairs administers a variety of programs to help communities realize growth and development goals. The OneGeorgia Authority makes rural grants and loans for economic development. DCA is also home to the state s programs for safe and affordable housing.
Physical & Economic Development The Georgia Ports Authority Helps to foster international trade and new industry for state and local communities. Operating ports in Savannah, one of the busiest in the nation, as well as Brunswick, Bainbridge, and Columbus.
Physical & Economic Development The Georgia Department of Natural Resources serves by protecting, conserving, and enhancing Georgia s natural, historic, and cultural resources for present and future generations. It also recognizes and supports commerce and industry by managing wildlife through hunting and fishing programs.
Physical & Economic Development The Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources protects and manages the state s air, water, and land resources from monitoring air quality to permitting underground storage tanks.
Physical & Economic Development The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority provides loans for water, sewer, and solid waste infrastructure; manages energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; oversees land conservation projects; and manages and monitors state-owned fuel storage tanks.
Transportation
Transportation Transportation Georgia Department of Transportation Georgia Regional Transportation Authority State Road and Tollway Authority
Transportation Primary organization for transportation issues. Committed to moving people and goods through the state in a timely, safe, and efficient manner. Designs, builds, and maintains state highway system. Board is unique in state government, elected by the legislators in each of our 14 congressional districts. Managed by a Commissioner, selected by the Board, with a Director of Planning selected by the Governor.
Governmental Administration
Governmental Administration Secretary of State Attorney General Georgia Department of Labor Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Public Service Commission Georgia Department of Driver Services Employees Retirement System of Georgia Georgia Technology Authority Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity State Board of Workers Compensation Georgia Department of Revenue Office of the State Treasurer
Governmental Administration Georgia Building Authority Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission Office of the State Inspector General Department of Administrative Services Office of State Administrative Hearings Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts State Accounting Office Department of Banking and Finance Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission Governor s Office of Planning and Budget
Governmental Administration Department of Revenue Office of the State Treasurer Principal tax-collecting and tax law enforcement agency. The department s Motor Vehicle Division works with county tax commissioners to issue license plates and certificates of title. Cash and investment manager for the state
Governmental Administration Department of Administrative Services Georgia Building Authority Includes the state s procurement office, surplus property office, and human resources administration. Maintains the state s buildings on Capitol Hill, and the State Properties Commission manages the State of Georgia s real estate.
Governmental Administration Department of Audits and Accounts State Accounting Office Provides accountability over operations funded in whole or in part through State funds. Generating both financial and operational information Provides state-wide financial reporting, accounting, payroll, and human capital information systems, and shared services.
Governmental Administration Formerly known as the Ethics Commission Administers and enforces provisions of Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act (formerly Ethics in Government Act). Collects campaign contribution disclosure reports, personal financial disclosure reports, and lobbyist disclosure reports.
Legislative Analysis Policy implications Financial implications Practical implications Be on alert for: - definition changes - deferences to other code sections - shall vs. may - who has rule making power to implement - code section that is opened up
How a bill becomes a law picture
CONCLUSION For a more detailed review of any of the organizations described in this presentation, please refer to the GEORGIA.GOV website, where you can access complete agency descriptions. www.georgia.gov