ATLANTA — Sam Watson of Moultrie was one of seven state senators recently named to a study committee focused on the preservation of Georgia’s farmlands.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announced the appointments on Friday.
Watson is part-owner of Chill C Farms in Colquitt County.
The study committee will be chaired by Sen. Billy Hickman of Statesboro, and other members are Sens. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas, Brandon Beach of Alpharetta, Jason Esteves of Atlanta, Russ Goodman of Homerville and Freddie Powell Sims of Dawson. Esteves and Sims are Democrats; all of the other members are Republicans.
Jones announced six other study committees at the same time.
“Each of these study committees will review current policies and practices within their specific topics,” Jones said. “The appointees are experts on these issues and bring their unique experience and knowledge to each of the committees. I look forward to learning more from their findings and addressing their recommendations during the 2025 Legislative Session.”
The other committees and their members are:
— Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Child Care: Chairman Sen. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough; and members Sen. Matt Brass, R-Newnan, Sen. Clint Dixon, R-Gwinnett, Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, Sen. Derek Mallow, D-Savannah, Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, and Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett, D-Marietta.
— Senate Study Committee on Veterans’ Mental Health and Housing: Chairman Sen. Chuck Payne, R-Dalton; and members Sen. Ed Harbison, D-Columbus, Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Sandy Springs, Sen. Shawn Still, R-Norcross, and Sen. Rick Williams, R-Milledgeville.
— Senate Supporting Safety and Welfare of All Individuals in Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee: Chairman Sen. Randy Robertson, R-Cataula; and members Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, Sen. Tonya Anderson, D-Lithonia, Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, Sen. Timothy Bearden, R-Carrollton, Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, and Sen. Kim Jackson, D-Stone Mountain.
— Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee: Chairman Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon; and members Sen. Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville, Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, Sen. Russ Goodman, R-Homerville, Sen. Sonya Halpern, D-Atlanta, and Sen. Larry Walker, R-Perry.
— Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Chairman Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell; and members Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania, Sen. Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta, Sen. Sheikh Rahman, D-Lawrenceville, Sen. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, and Sen. Shawn Still, R-Norcross.
— Senate Safe Firearms Storage Study Committee: Chairman Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur; and members Sen. Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville, Sen. Marty Harbin, R-Tyrone, Sen. David Lucas, D-Macon, and Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah.
Dates and locations for meetings of each of the study committees will be announced later, according to Jones’ press release. Information related to the committees will be available at https://www.senate.ga.gov/committees/en-US/2024StudyCommittees.aspx.