ATLANTA – The March/April 2013 edition of James Magazine named State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) one of the Most Influential House Members of 2013.
“I am humbled to be recognized by James Magazine as one of the 2013 most influential members of the Georgia House of Representatives, but it is truly an honor and privilege to serve at the state capitol on behalf of the wonderful people in House District 70,” said Rep. Smith. “As a state representative, this recognition really means that my constituents in Carroll and Coweta counties are among the most influential Georgians, because they have a representative who can take their beliefs to Atlanta and successfully work to ensure those beliefs are reflected in Georgia’s laws, policies, and agencies.”
Rep. Smith is the Chairman of the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee, a position that requires her to protect both the environment and the economy of Georgia. As a committee chairman, Rep. Smith works to perfect the bills before her committee so that they properly address their intended purposes. This year, Rep. Smith’s committee reviewed several issues, including legislation affecting the authorization powers of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The committee also examined Senate Bill 11, which creates the Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council to assist in aligning local government survey property lines with new flood plain area mapping from the federal government.
In addition to her influential position as a committee chairman, Rep. Smith also carried two important bills during the recent legislative session. Rep. Smith chose to introduce both bills after hearing from her constituents.
The first bill, House Bill 234, would protect Georgia consumers from becoming trapped in service contracts with automatic renewal provisions. This legislation is necessary because businesses now frequently include provisions in service contracts that automatically renew the contract on the cancellation date without notice. HB 234 would require sellers to make sure consumers are aware of any automatic renewal provisions in a service contract before the consumer signs the contract. Additionally, the bill requires sellers to notify consumers one to two months before their contract’s cancellation date to notify them that that their contract will automatically renew unless cancelled. This legislation was approved by the General Assembly and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.
House Bill 212 addresses noise pollution caused by air boats on the Chattahoochee River. As a result of Rep. Smith’s work on this bill, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources agreed to increase its patrol of the Chattahoochee River to make certain all watercraft are in compliance with existing law.
James Magazine is widely considered one of the state’s top publications for Georgia political news and issues. In a list that has become an annual tradition, naming the “who’s who” of Georgia politics, the “2013 Most Influential Georgians” also includes House Speaker David Ralston (R- Blue Ridge), U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, UGA Head Football Coach Mark Richt and Coca-Cola Enterprises Chairman/CEO John Brock.
You can learn more about Rep. Smith by viewing her Capitol website or her Facebook page at www.legis.ga.gov.
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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