ATLANTA – Today, Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced his appointees to the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC).
“The Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission will ensure that Georgia’s laws are faithfully enforced by those elected to prosecute crimes,” said Speaker Burns. “I am grateful to all the House members who worked so hard to get this important legislation passed, including Representative Joseph Gullett, Representative Houston Gaines, Representative Mesha Mainor, Chairman Tyler Paul Smith and Majority Whip James Burchett.”
Speaker Burns appointed the following attorneys to the PAQC Investigative Panel: Joseph Cowart of Statesboro and Steve Scheer of Savannah. Mr. Cowart’s term will expire on July 17, 2024. Mr. Scheer’s term will expire on July 17, 2027.
Speaker Burns appointed Bibb County Superior Court Chief Judge Howard Simms of Macon to the PAQC Hearing Panel. Chief Judge Simms’ term will expire on July 17, 2026.
The PAQC was created by Senate Bill 92 passed in the 2023 legislative session that Governor Kemp signed into law in May.
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