Which chamber of the Georgia General Assembly handles the origination of appropriations bills?

The House of Representatives is responsible for the origination of appropriations bills in the Georgia General Assembly. This practice is rooted in the historical principle that the power of the purse, which involves decisions about taxation and governmental spending, should begin in the lower house of the legislature. This requirement mirrors the federal structure where the U.S. House of Representatives holds the same role.

The rationale for placing this responsibility in the House is to ensure that elected representatives, who are directly accountable to their constituents, initiate legislation that allocates state funds. Since members of the House serve shorter terms compared to Senators, it is believed they are more in touch with the immediate needs and priorities of the citizens, thereby fostering greater responsiveness in fiscal matters.

In contrast, the Senate, while it does engage in the legislative process and may amend appropriations bills, does not originate them. Both chambers work collaboratively in the legislative process, but the imperative for fiscal bills to begin in the House underscores the foundational democratic principle of accountability to the electorate.