ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) was recently appointed to serve on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Environment Committee and the NCSL Energy, Transportation and Agriculture Committee. Rep. Smith was appointed to these committees by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge).
“I am honored the Speaker appointed me to serve on these two very important committees,” said Rep. Smith. “NCSL provides an opportunity for state legislators from all over the United States to meet periodically to compare notes on the federal and state issues we all face.”
Both Committees are two 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.
NCSL’s Energy, Transportation and Agriculture Committee consists of state legislators and legislative staff from the nation’s legislatures. The committee convenes three times a year in conjunction with NCSL’s national meeting. This committee has jurisdiction over state-federal energy and electric utilities legislation, regulation and policies; transportation legislation, regulations and policies; and agriculture and rural development legislation, regulations and policies.
The Energy, Transportation and Agriculture Committee is charged with reviewing and developing NCSL policy positions on state-federal concerns regarding these issues. These policy positions are then used to lobby Congress and the federal administration. The committee also provides a forum for legislators and staff to share ideas and expertise on an array of energy, transportation, and agriculture issues. In addition, the committee facilitates topically appropriate educational opportunities for members and colleagues, and provides input to NCSL on policy research projects.
The appointment for each committee is for a two-year term concurrent with her service as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.
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, and for information about NCSL and its Energy, Transportation and Agriculture Committee, please click here.
Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Carroll and Coweta counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1996, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, and Rules committees.
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