ATLANTA – Sen. John Wilkinson (R- Toccoa) has been named chair of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee for the 2015- 2016 legislative term by the Senate Committee on Assignments. Sen. Wilkinson has served as chairman of the committee since 2013.
“After countless years in the agriculture business, this topic remains near and dear to my heart; for that reason I am continuously grateful to my colleagues for this appointment,” said Sen. Wilkinson. “I look forward to legislation that ensures our lands and commodities are sustained so Georgia can continue to lead the industry throughout the country.”
The Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee’s jurisdiction encompasses agricultural land use, commodities, commissions, fairs and expositions, marketing law, pest management, and pesticides. This committee may also review laws around consumer protection.
Sen. Wilkinson was also selected as the Vice-Chairman of the Education and Youth Committee and will serve as a member of the Appropriations and Natural Resources committees. He is an Ex-Officio to the Rules Committee and was appointed to one of the two seats available on the Committee on Assignments by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.
“I appreciate Sen. Wilkinson taking on these critically important leadership roles in the Georgia Senate. Like all of us, he is committed to building a better Georgia. I look forward to working closely with Sen. Wilkinson during the upcoming session to move our state to a stronger and more prosperous future,” said Lt. Governor Cagle.
“The Committee on Assignments worked hard to match every senator to positions where they could best serve the people of Georgia,” said President Pro Tempore David Shafer (R-Duluth). “I have great confidence in our new committee leadership team.”
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, then the proposed law is 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.
The first term of the 153rd Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly convened January 12, 2015 at the Georgia State Capitol.
Sen. John Wilkinson serves as the Chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and Towns counties and portions of Hall and Jackson counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at [email protected].
