Georgia Senate Announces New Committee Chairs

From a press release:

ATLANTA (January 9, 2017) | The Senate Committee on Assignments has announced changes to its list of standing committee chairs and vice chairs for the first session of the 154th Georgia General Assembly:

Sen. Brandon Beach (R – Alpharetta) will serve as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Sen. Ellis Black (R – Valdosta) will serve as chair of the Senate Retirement Committee.
Sen. Mike Dugan (R – Carrollton) will serve as chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee.
Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R – Rome) will serve as chair of the Senate Finance Committee and as vice chair of the Senate Retirement Committee.
Sen. Burt Jones (R – Jackson) will serve as chair of the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee.
Sen. William Ligon (R – Brunswick) will serve as chair of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and as vice chair of the Senate Ethics and Reapportionment and Redistricting Committees.
Sen. Jesse Stone (R – Waynesboro) will serve as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Ben Watson (R – Savannah) will serve as chair of the Senate Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee.
Sen. Lee Anderson (R – Grovetown) will serve as vice chair of the Senate Agriculture and Science and Technology Committees.
Sen. Matt Brass (R – Newnan) will serve as vice chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee.
Sen. Dean Burke (R – Bainbridge) will serve as vice chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Sen. John Kennedy (R – Macon) will serve as vice chair of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.
Sen. P.K. Martin (R – Lawrenceville) will serve as vice chair of the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations and Higher Education Committees.
Sen. Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia) will serve as vice chair of the Senate State Institutions and Properties Committee.

“These senators have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Senate and they are committed to advancing the interests of every Georgia citizen,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “I look forward to their work as chairs and vice chairs of the Senate Standing Committees and am confident they will bring a great deal of insight to the legislation that comes before their committee.”

“The Georgia Senate is composed of individuals with a breadth of talent and experience,” said President Pro Tem David Shafer (R-Duluth). “I believe our new committee chairs and members have the right expertise to address critical issues. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that Georgia’s priorities are the Senate’s priorities.”

Once a piece of legislation is introduced in the Senate, it is assigned to a committee depending on its topic. If the committee gives the legislation a “do pass” recommendation, the proposed law is then sent to the Rules Committee for consideration.

The appointed chairs will oversee the operation and order of Senate committee meetings; including calling for action on bills, resolutions or other matters assigned to that committee.