ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives’ Committee on Assignments, chaired by House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington), recently named State Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs) to serve as Chairman of the Special Committee on Resource Management. Rep. Thomas was also appointed to serve as Vice Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee; he was also reappointed as Vice Chairman of the Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee, Secretary of the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee and a member of the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Intragovernmental Coordination, Retirement and Transportation committees.
“I thank Speaker Burns for his confidence in me to chair the special committee focused on energy initiatives for Georgia,” said Rep. Thomas. “Energy is the fundamental building block of our economy. I am ready to establish a comprehensive energy policy that will support Georgia for decades to come, ensuring our state remains a leader in business nationwide, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and industry leaders to develop solutions. I’m also excited to continue serving as vice chair of the Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee. With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, it’s vital that we create policies that address challenges and encourage innovation. I am also eager to serve as the vice chair of Governmental Affairs as we develop policies that help with the operations and management of state, county and municipal governments.”
The newly established Special Committee on Resource Management will focus on managing the increasing energy demands from data centers moving into the state.
The Governmental Affairs Committee oversees legislation concerning the operations and management of state, county and municipal government. It also has jurisdiction over state election law.
The Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee works on issues involving new and emerging technologies and their implications for Georgia’s economy.
The Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee handles legislation and oversight related to Georgia’s Department of Defense, military personnel and organizations providing service to military veterans.
The Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee is responsible for legislation concerning the energy, gas, electric and other related industry areas. It is also responsible for the rules and regulations concerning the telecommunications industry.
The Intragovernmental Coordination Committee is assigned all local legislation, or bills that primarily affect only one political subdivision, such as a city or a county, processed through the House and is also assigned general legislation affecting a variety of subjects including local governments.
The Retirement Committee oversees both the Teacher’s and State Employee’s Retirement System. TRS administers the fund from which teachers in the state’s public schools, many employees of the University System of Georgia, and certain other designated employees in educational-related work environments receive retirement benefits. ERS administers separate and distinct cost-sharing, multiple employer defined benefit pension plans for various employer agencies of the State of Georgia, as well as defined contribution plans, and a life insurance plan. The Employee’s Retirement System also serves as the State Social Security Administrator for all political subdivisions of the state.
The Transportation Committee handles legislation dealing with Georgia’s Department of Transportation and their operations. The committee also deals with legislation regarding Georgia’s roads and infrastructure.
For a complete list of all House committees, please click here.
Representative Brad Thomas represents the citizens of District 21, which includes a portion of Cherokee County. He first was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves as Chairman of the Special Committee on Resource Management, Vice Chairman of the Governmental Affairs and Technology & Infrastructure Innovation committees and Secretary of the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Intragovernmental Coordination, Retirement and Transportation committees.
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