The Senate Office of Policy and Legislative Analysis (OPLA), formerly known as the Senate Research Office, was created in 1975 to serve all Georgia Senators and the Lieutenant Governor/President of the Senate with objective information and analysis of legislation and issues affecting our state. OPLA is a nonpartisan office which, on a confidential basis, provides quality, specialized, objective information and policy analysis. It provides support to individual Senators on issues of policy development and both background and comparative research for statewide and local legislation. OPLA does not provide documents directly to the general public. By using a wide array of resources OPLA has access to the latest, most accurate information available from all states, the federal government, and other public interest and professional sources. During the legislative session, the OPLA creates bill summaries for all Senate bills and resolutions as well as House legislation that is considered by the Senate.
Typical duties of law student externs include: summarizing legislation; researching and writing memorandums on topics requested by Senate members; and monitoring state agency meetings and taking notes to provide updates to OPLA and committee chairs.
Strong oral and written communication, research, and computer skills required.