ATLANTA – State Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) recently attended the White House State Leadership Conference hosted by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA). The conference served as an opportunity for Georgia elected officials to hear from federal leaders about current national initiatives and ways to collaborate with those leaders at the state level.
Continue reading “Rep. Carmen Rice Attends White House State Leadership Conference”Rep. Carmen Rice Completes Georgia Legislative Leadership Training Conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia
ATLANTA – State Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) recently joined other new legislators from across the state for the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute (GLLI). Nominated members of the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia State Senate attended sessions at the UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel in Athens, Georgia.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute, which provided valuable insight into the challenges and responsibilities of representative government,” said Rep. Rice. “Learning directly from Speaker Jon Burns, Brad Vaughan and experts from the National Institute for Civil Discourse was an invaluable experience, and I look forward to applying those lessons as I serve my constituents. I appreciate the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation for supporting this program, which continues to strengthen and prepare lawmakers across our state to lead with integrity and effectiveness.”
The GLLI was developed and authorized by the Georgia General Assembly Training Institute in 2005 to provide an opportunity for new lawmakers to explore the leadership challenges of representative government with faculty from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, legislative leaders and colleagues. As an extension of the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators, GLLI is a component of the Institute of Government’s leadership development efforts designed for members of the Georgia General Assembly.
This year, lawmakers learned leadership lessons from House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Brad Vaughan, Legislative Director and Counsel for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. New legislators also had the opportunity to work with individuals from the National Institute for Civil Discourse to explore best practices for engaging in public discourse.
The program, supported by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, is designed to help legislators address certain elements of personal and public leadership as they carry out their roles and responsibilities as elected representatives.
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government is a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit that provides assistance, research and professional development for government leaders and employees across Georgia.
*Editor’s note: a photo of the representatives that participated in the GLLI is included.

Representative Carmen Rice represents the citizens of District 139, which includes portions of Harris and Muscogee counties. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2024 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Education Committee and Secretary of the Special Committee on Resource Management. She also serves on the Judiciary, Juvenile and Transportation committees.
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Rep. Carmen Rice Announces State Laws Going into Effect Today, July 1
ATLANTA – State Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) announces a number of new laws passed during the 2025 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp that will go into effect today, July 1, 2025. These laws seek to lower taxes and insurance costs, improve classroom learning and enhance public safety.
Continue reading “Rep. Carmen Rice Announces State Laws Going into Effect Today, July 1”Rep. Carmen Rice Nominated by House Leadership to Participate in GOPAC 2025 Class of Emerging Leaders Program
ATLANTA – State Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) was recently nominated by House leadership to participate in GOPAC’s 2025 Class of Emerging Leaders. Rep. Rice was selected to be part of a class of 30 legislators from across the country who were nominated by legislative leadership in their state and have demonstrated promise in positively impacting their state.
Continue reading “Rep. Carmen Rice Nominated by House Leadership to Participate in GOPAC 2025 Class of Emerging Leaders Program”Rep. Carmen Rice Applauds House Passage of Homestead Exemptions for Disabled Veterans
ATLANTA – House Bill 52, sponsored by State Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus), passed out of the House last week on Crossover Day, March 6, 2025. Rep. Rice thanked her colleagues for their support in advancing the legislation, which would update homestead exemptions for qualified disabled veterans.
Continue reading “Rep. Carmen Rice Applauds House Passage of Homestead Exemptions for Disabled Veterans”