ATLANTA – State Representative Chuck Williams (R-Watkinsville) was recently appointed to serve on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Environment Committee by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge).
“I am grateful to Speaker Ralston for this opportunity to share Georgia’s strong focus on environmental sustainability with other states,” said Rep. Williams. “As a member of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, I understand the necessity for us to be conscientious stewards of our air, water, and soil resources. While Georgia is a diverse state, we must be united in fostering the wise use and sustainability of our natural resources.”
The Environment Committee is one of NCSL’s 12 standing committees. These standing committees serve an important role in representing state interests in Washington, D.C. and in the facilitating policy innovation among the state and territorial legislatures. The committees also provide a unique forum for the discussion of major issues facing the states, which allows legislators to learn from the experiences of other states.
According to NCSL, its Environment Committee is charged with educating Congress and federal agencies as to state concerns regarding state and federal natural resources legislation, regulations and policies. Some examples of issues that this committee has handled include: air quality-multipollutant strategies, climate change, cost-benefit analysis of environmental regulations, product stewardship, water resource management, wetlands restoration, and water allocation-dispute resolution, conservation, and land management.
The appointment is for a two-year term concurrent with his service as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.
The committee’s next meeting will be held at NCSL’s Legislative Summit in Atlanta, GA from August 12-15, 2013.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staffs from the nation’s 50 states. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. It also advocates for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
For more information about NCSL and its Environment Committee, please click here.
Representative Chuck Williams represents the citizens of District 119, which includes portions of Clarke and Oconee counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman on the Information and Audits Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Higher Education, and Natural Resources & Environment committees.
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