ATLANTA – State Representatives Brad Raffensperger (R-Johns Creek) and Ed Rynders (R- Albany) today announced that the House Governmental Affairs Committee passed House Bill 781 out of committee, and the bill will now go before the Rules Committee for consideration before it can be eligible for a vote on the House floor. This bill would require that a person be a legal resident of Georgia and an American citizen in order to be eligible to serve on any government state, county, or municipal board, commission or authority.
“Boards, commissions and authorities can have broad powers to determine policies and tax issues that affect Georgia taxpayers,” said Rep. Raffensperger. “Just as American citizenship is required to vote and to serve on a jury, it is appropriate that board, commission or authority decisions also be in the hands of fellow Americans.”
In addition to other qualifications, HB 781 would require a member to be a legal resident of Georgia unless with exceptions for military and their immediate families and businesses located on our state lines.
“It’s sad to think anyone would support non-citizens of Georgia being in position to decide policy and taxation of Georgia citizens,” said Rep. Ed Rynders (R-Albany), Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee. “House Bill 781 is the definition of common sense legislation.”
For more information about HB 781, please click here.
Representative Brad Raffensperger represents the citizens of District 50, which includes portions of Fulton County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2015 and currently serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Intragovernmental Coordination, and Juvenile Justice committees.
Representative Ed Rynders represents the citizens of District 152, which includes all of Lee and Worth counties, and a portion of Sumter County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and is currently the Chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Secretary of the Appropriations, Health & Human Services, and Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment committees. He is also a member of the Intragovernmental Coordination, Transportation, and Ways & Means committees.
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