SENATE RESEARCH OFFICE
Suite 204 Paul D. Coverdell Legislative Office Building
18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
(404) 656-0015
(404) 657-0929 FAX
The Senate Research Office has served the Georgia State Senate for 30 years. Senate Research was created in 1975 to serve all Senators and the Lieutenant Governor with objective information and analysis of legislation and issues affecting our state. By using a wide array of resources Senate Research has access to the latest, most accurate information available from all states, the federal government, and other public interest and professional sources.
The Senate Research Office provides support to individual Senators on issues of policy development and both background and comparative research for statewide and local legislation. In addition, Senate Research also:
- Staffs interim and standing committees;
- Identifies public policy trends;
- Produces study committee reports;
- Summarizes legislation; and,
- Gathers information on programs including cost analysis, program elements, and success.
Bill Summaries
The Senate Research Office creates summaries of Senate bills and resolutions¹ introduced during the Legislative Session. Summaries of House legislation are created once the House legislation is passed by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for consideration (How a Bill Becomes a Law)
Session Highlights, Upcoming Issues, and Committee Reports
Senate Research produces several documents which provide a comprehensive overview of the current business of the Senate and are introduced at various times during the year. These documents include:
- Session Highlights – a brief summary of selected legislation enacted by the Georgia General Assembly following each legislative session.
- Upcoming Issues – a report of selected issues that will likely be addressed during upcoming legislative sessions.
- Study Committee Reports - as Senate Committees examine various issues, reports are released which include any findings, recommendations, or legislative proposals a committee deems appropriate.
At Issue -- The Senate Research Office Newsletter
Confidentiality
All requests are confidential and all documents and files of the Senate Research Office are not subject to public inspection under the Open Records Act (O.C.G.A 50-18-72(a) (8)).
How to Request Information
Requests for information and research can only be initiated by an individual Senator or the Lieutenant Governor. Requests can be initiated by telephone, email, or written correspondence. Requests are assigned to the policy analyst with expertise in the specific area to be researched. All requests for information and research will be completed within two weeks, unless a shorter, specific date is set. All information and research results can be communicated to the Senator by email, diskette, or written document.
Staff and Policy Responsibilities
Jill C. Fike, Director, B.A., Florida State University. Committee and policy assignments include: Appropriations; Economic Development and Tourism; and Rules.
Email: jill.fike@senate.ga.gov
Brian Johnson, Deputy Director, A.A., Young Harris College; A.B.J., University of Georgia; J.D., Mercer University. Committee and policy assignments include: Finance; Reapportionment and Redistricting; and Regulated Industries.
Email: brian.johnson@senate.ga.gov
Alexander Azarian, Principal Policy Analyst, B.A., Rhode Island College; M.A., Providence College. Committee and policy assignments include: Insurance and Labor; Public Safety; and Veterans and Military Affairs and Homeland Security.
Email: alex.azarian@senate.ga.gov
Angie Fiese, Principal Policy Analyst, B.A., Georgia Institute of Technology; J.D., Georgia State University. Committee and policy assignments include: Natural Resources and the Environment; and Transportation.
Email: angie.fiese@senate.ga.gov
Taryn Kirbo, Senior Policy Analyst, B.A., University of North Carolina; J.D., Emory University. Committee and policy assignments include: Judiciary.
Email: taryn.kirbo@senate.ga.gov
Heather Moody, Senior Policy Analyst, B.A., Young Harris College and the
University of Georgia;
J.D., Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law. Committee and policy assignments include: Agriculture and Consumer Affairs; Banking and Financial Institutions; and Retirement
Email: heather.moody@senate.ga.gov
Rachel Moore, Senior Policy Analyst, B.A., Oglethorpe University; J.D., Tulane University. Committee and policy assignments include: Ethics; Government Oversight; Science and Technology; and Special Judiciary.
Email: rachel.moore@senate.ga.gov
Bill Perdue, Senior Policy Analyst, B.A., Auburn University; M.P.A., University of Georgia. Committee and policy assignments include: Interstate Cooperation; State and Local Governmental Operations; State Institutions and Property; and Urban Affairs.
Email: bill.perdue@senate.ga.gov
Ginny Powell, Senior Policy Analyst, B.A., J.D., Florida State University; Committee and policy assignments include: Health and Human Services.
Email: ginny.powell@senate.ga.gov
James Touchton, Policy Analyst, B.S., Kennesaw State University. Committee and policy assignements include: Education and Youth; and Higher Education.
Email: james.touchton@senate.ga.gov
Administrative Staff
Lisha Thompson, Office Manager. Email: lisha.thompson@senate.ga.gov
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