Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Georgia
Votes with Democrats
94%
on 304 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 96%
Cast a vote
92%
Yea or Nay on 1,263 of 1,374 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
164 of 287
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 224.5
Roll calls on record
1,374
2025-2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 10, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2025-2026 Regular Session.
How Nikki Merritt votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Nikki Merritt sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Nikki Merritt is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
17 of 304 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
HB52 · Ad valorem tax; qualified disabled veterans; extend homestead exemption to unremarried surviving spouses or minor children
In plain English Extends homestead property tax exemptions for unremarried surviving spouses and minor children of disabled veterans to any future home they own.
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1209 · Sales and use tax; purchases of tangible property and construction materials used for or in the construction and furnishing of certain buildings; provide exemption
In plain English Exempts purchases of tangible property and construction materials used to build and furnish certain buildings from state sales and use taxes, with limits on credit amounts.
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1129 · Local government; designation of enterprise zones; provisions
In plain English Limits enterprise zones from qualifying for state sales and use tax exemptions, with exceptions, and restricts their number in urban redevelopment areas.
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1001 · Income tax; reduce rate of tax
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1132 · Sales and use tax; exempt materials used in construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing by purely public charities
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1077 · Sales and use tax; exemption for sales of tickets, fees, and charges of admission to certain museums and fine arts performances or exhibitions at nonprofit facilities; extend sunset date
In plain English Extends the expiration date for a sales tax exemption on admission tickets to nonprofit museums and fine arts performances.
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB963 · Elections; prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to or participating in any campaign
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB248 · Income tax; tax credit for certain expenses incurred by taxpayers for certain geothermal machinery installations at residential dwellings; provide
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1116 · Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization Act of 2026; enact
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB964 · Revenue and taxation; state and local title ad valorem tax fee; exempt certain motor vehicles used in fire protection services for local governments
Motion To Engross: Hb 52, Hb 248, Hb 963, Hb 964, Hb 1001, Hb 1077, Hb 1116, Hb 1129, Hb 1132, Hb 1209: Senate Vote #876 · 2026-03-31 · Passed 33–15 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
SB556 · HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide
In plain English Includes advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in grade point average calculations for HOPE scholarship eligibility.
Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #958 · 2026-04-02 · Failed 25–25
SB8 · Courts; arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; provide
Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #964 · 2026-04-02 · Failed 26–26
HB61 · Motor vehicles; issuance of separate license plates for hearses and ambulances; provide
Adoption Of Amend #1a By Sen From The 14th To Amend #1 By Sen From The 14th: Senate Vote #767 · 2026-03-20 · Failed 24–26
HB360 · Revenue and taxation; rehabilitation of historic structures; revise tax credit
Passage: Senate Vote #333 · 2025-03-28 · Passed 26–24
SB254 · "Georgia Hemp Farming Act,"; delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products; provide milligram limits
Adoption Of Amendment #1 By The Senator From The 29th: Senate Vote #169 · 2025-03-06 · Passed 29–27
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Lanny ThomasRepublican · District 53 · 182 shared contested votes
36%
Matt BrassRepublican · District 6 · 407 shared contested votes
34%
Tim BeardenRepublican · District 30 · 417 shared contested votes
29%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (111 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Georgia Delegation
NayNVYeaNayYeaYeaNayYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaNayNayYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Nikki Merritt was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced287
Out of committee170
Passed one chamber168
Passed both chambers164
Became law164
Never left committee117
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 224.5 bills that became law this session.
Georgia Development Authority; rename as the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority
In plain English Renames the Georgia Development Authority to the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority and makes related changes.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, so as to rename the Georgia Development Authority as the Georgia Agricultural Development Authority; to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-06
Sims, Senator Freddie Powell; recognize and commend
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Senator Freddie Powell Sims on her outstanding public service; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-04-02
Wright Jr., Daniel Waldon; condolences
A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Daniel Waldon Wright Jr.; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-04-02
Parent, Senator Elena; recognize and commend
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Senator Elena Parent on her outstanding public service; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-04-02
"Timberlands Recovery, Exemption, and Earnings Stability (TREES) Act"; enact
In plain English Allows local governments to provide temporary tax relief on timber harvest or sale taxes in disaster areas.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ad valorem taxation of property, so as to authorize certain local governing authorities to provide temporary tax relief from the taxes levied…
Passed one chamberHouse Passed/Adopted By Substitute · 2026-04-02
Trott, Austin; recognize and commend
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Austin Trott on his 10-year work anniversary with the Georgia State Senate; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-03-31
Boger, Jennifer; recognize and commend
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Jennifer Boger for her distinguished career in public service and her time in the Georgia State Senate Budget and Evaluation Office; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-03-31
Senate Pharmacy Benefits Managers and Consumer Access to Prescription Medications Study Committee; create
A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Pharmacy Benefits Managers and Consumer Access to Prescription Medications Study Committee; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Passed/Adopted · 2026-03-31
Senate Study Committee on a Museum of African American History and Culture of Georgia; create
A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Study Committee on a Museum of African American History and Culture of Georgia; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Passed/Adopted By Substitute · 2026-03-31
Senate Paid Student Teaching Study Committee; create
A RESOLUTION creating the Senate Paid Student Teaching Study Committee; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Passed/Adopted By Substitute · 2026-03-31
Atlanta Botanical Garden; recognize and commend
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Atlanta Botanical Garden on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-03-27
Adelman, Nelson I.; condolences
A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Nelson I. Adelman; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-03-27
Young, Andrea; recognize and commend
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Andrea Young upon her retirement as Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-03-27
2026 Walk for Peace; honor
A RESOLUTION honoring the 2026 Walk for Peace; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Read and Adopted · 2026-03-25
Bangladeshi Peacekeepers in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations; recognize
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the outstanding contributions and sacrifices of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations; and for other purposes.
Became lawSenate Passed/Adopted · 2026-03-25
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
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HB1161 · 2026-04-03
Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #982)
HB1247 · 2026-04-03
Georgia Bureaucratic Deference Elimination Act; enact (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #983)
HB247 · 2026-04-03
Motor vehicles; restoration of licenses; authorize written consent for release of certain information to be obtained and transferred electronically (Motion To Print: Senate Vote #984)
HB297 · 2026-04-03
Ad valorem tax; define multipurpose off-highway vehicle; provisions (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #985)
SB447 · 2026-04-03
Control of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation; denial or nonacceptance of permits; revise provisions (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #989)
SB430 · 2026-04-03
Taxes; certain military museums qualify as destination marketing organizations and private sector nonprofit organizations; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #988)
HB295 · 2026-04-03
Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Amendment: Senate Vote #987)
SB359 · 2026-04-03
Henry County; Board of Commissioners; code of ethics; revise and restate provisions (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #990)
SR624 · 2026-04-03
Officer Drew Haynes Brown Memorial Intersection; Cobb County; dedicate (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #986)
SB556 · 2026-04-02
HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #958)
SB556 · 2026-04-02
HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #959)
SB261 · 2026-04-02
Magistrates Retirement Fund; early retirement benefit; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #956)
HB334 · 2026-04-02
Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act; enact (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #933)
HB447 · 2026-04-02
Crimes and offenses; crimes of gift card theft, gift card forgery, and gift card fraud; provide (Passage: Senate Vote #939)
SB23 · 2026-04-02
Retirement; total percentage of funds that the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may invest in alternative investments; raise the limit (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #960)
HB1187 · 2026-04-02
Trey's Law; enact (Passage: Senate Vote #951)
HB328 · 2026-04-02
Revenue and taxation; increase annual aggregate limit for tax credits available for certain contributions to student scholarship organizations (Shall The Ruling Of The Chair Be Sustained: Senate Vote #972)
HB328 · 2026-04-02
Revenue and taxation; increase annual aggregate limit for tax credits available for certain contributions to student scholarship organizations (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #973)
HB1599 · 2026-04-02
Sandersville School Building Authority; members; revise qualification (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB445 · 2026-04-02
Ad valorem tax; language required to be included in notices of current assessment; revise (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #965)
SB8 · 2026-04-02
Courts; arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; provide (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #964)
HB1559 · 2026-04-02
Palmetto, City of; qualifications, terms, powers, and duties of mayor, councilmembers, and city manager; revise provisions (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1602 · 2026-04-02
Gainesville, City of; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1565 · 2026-04-02
Lee County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
SB306 · 2026-04-02
Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; impending expiration to be sent via certified mail; require notices (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #963)
SB586 · 2026-04-02
"K-9 Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2026"; enact (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #942)
HB1310 · 2026-04-02
State symbols; cotton as official state fabric; designate (Passage: Senate Vote #981)
HB1277 · 2026-04-02
Conservation and natural resources; increase project cost threshold for public roads or airports requiring environmental evaluations (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #928)
HB1560 · 2026-04-02
Springfield, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1470 · 2026-04-02
Torts; abusive litigation based on alleged website access violations under federal and state law; create a cause of action (Passage: Senate Vote #978)
SB76 · 2026-04-02
License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; establish (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #970)
HB999 · 2026-04-02
Magistrate courts; collecting sums and fees authorized by law; revise provisions (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Amendment: Senate Vote #957)
HB1582 · 2026-04-02
Fayette County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1272 · 2026-04-02
Banking and finance; licensing of payment stablecoin issuers; provisions (Passage: Senate Vote #953)
SB143 · 2026-04-02
Georgia Firefighter's Pension Fund; certain members to retire at age 50; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #941)
SB207 · 2026-04-02
Professions and Businesses; a preclearance process in the licensing of individuals with criminal records who make application to or are investigated by certain licensing boards and commissions; create (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Amendment To House Substitute: Senate Vote #946)
HB1598 · 2026-04-02
Laurens County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1575 · 2026-04-02
Kingsland, City of; ad valorem tax; apply exemption to residents 62 years or older (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB463 · 2026-04-02
Ad valorem tax; certain senior citizens who volunteer with local governments; provide homestead exemption (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #971)
HB1601 · 2026-04-02
Gainesville, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1409 · 2026-04-02
Domestic relations; revise mandated reporting of child abuse (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #932)
HB1573 · 2026-04-02
Statham, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1569 · 2026-04-02
McDonough, City of; Municipal Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1344 · 2026-04-02
Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act; enact (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #929)
HB1562 · 2026-04-02
Pike County; ad valorem tax; increase amount of homestead exemption for residents who are totally disabled (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
SB431 · 2026-04-02
Education; enrollment of foster care students within two school days of a request for enrollment by such student's parent or legal custodian; require (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #944)
HB52 · 2026-04-02
Ad valorem tax; qualified disabled veterans; extend homestead exemption to unremarried surviving spouses or minor children (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #952)
HB1404 · 2026-04-02
Pooler, City of; levy an excise tax (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB141 · 2026-04-02
Revenue and taxation; allow businesses and practitioners to provide affidavits of certified public accountants in lieu of tax returns (Passage: Senate Vote #976)
HB1588 · 2026-04-02
Cobb County; salaries of chief deputy sheriff, assistant chief deputy sheriff, and executive assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff; provide (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
SB469 · 2026-04-02
Board of Commissioners of Forsyth County; term limits for members; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #966)
HB309 · 2026-04-02
Local government; require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #947)
SB623 · 2026-04-02
State Court of Clayton County; compensation of the solicitor-general of the state court; revise provisions (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #968)
HB974 · 2026-04-02
General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 (Adopt Conference Committee Report: Senate Vote #975)
HB1116 · 2026-04-02
Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization Act of 2026; enact (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #974)
SB613 · 2026-04-02
Superior Court of Clayton County; change the compensation of the sheriff (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #969)
HB1131 · 2026-04-02
Criminal procedure; personal service of process for notice of a warrant application hearing; provide (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #948)
SB33 · 2026-04-02
"Georgia Hemp Farming Act"; total THC concentration of consumable hemp products; provide limits (Motion For The Previous Question: Senate Vote #979)
SB33 · 2026-04-02
"Georgia Hemp Farming Act"; total THC concentration of consumable hemp products; provide limits (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #980)
HB295 · 2026-04-02
Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions (Motion To Table: Senate Vote #934)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 1374 total roll-call votes this session).
District Office
📍1911 Grayson Highway Suite 8367, Grayson, GA 30017
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