15 Named to House Rural Development Council for the 2023-2024 Session

Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced the members of the House Rural Development Council for the 2023-2024 legislative session:

• Rep. Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert) – Co-Chair
• Rep. Mack Jackson (D-Sandersville) – Co-Chair
• Rep. John Corbett (R-Lake Park) – Vice Chair
• Rep. Patty Bentley (D-Butler)
• Rep. Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons)
• Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper)
• Rep. Steven Meeks (R-Screven)
• Rep. Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn)
• Rep. Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth)
• Rep. Steve Tarvin (R-Chickamauga)
• Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville)
• Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R-Glennville)
• Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway)
• Rep. Noel Williams (R-Cordele)
• Rep. Bill Yearta (R-Sylvester)

Speaker Burns has also named a number of committee chairmen as ex-officio members based on their subject-area of expertise:

• Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), Chairman – Ways & Means
• Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), Chairman – Creative Arts & Entertainment
• Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella), Chairman – Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
• Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin), Chairman – Appropriations
• Rep. Penny Houston (R-Nashville), Chairman – Economic Development (Appropriations)
• Rep. Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro), Chairman – Special Committee on Healthcare
• Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), Chairman – Regulated Industries
• Rep. Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro), Chairman – Game, Fish & Parks
• Rep. Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), Chairman – Natural Resources & Environment
• Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), Chairman – Economic Development & Tourism

The House Rural Development Council was created in 2017 to work with rural communities to find ways to encourage economic growth and job creation. It was renewed for the 2023-2024 legislative session by House Resolution 488 that was unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives on Monday, March 27. The text of H.R. 488 is available here.