The following Georgia House & Senate Committees impact our Black Bears and their habitats at the state level. It is important to know these elected officials and their impact on policy.
Georgia House
Natural Resources & Environment Committee
http://www.house.ga.gov/COMMITTEES/en-US/committee.aspx?Committee=98&Session=27
Game, Fish, and Parks Committee
http://www.house.ga.gov/COMMITTEES/en-US/committee.aspx?Committee=91&Session=27
Georgia Senate
Natural Resources & Environment Committee
http://www.senate.ga.gov/Documents/Senate_Committees_2019.pdf
Although your specific State Legislature member may not be on one of these committees, your State Representative or Senator has influence on the final vote or they can leverage one of the committee members or they can sponsor legislation for the benefit of Black Bears.
Who is my Georgia State House of Representative and Senate Member?
Go to “Georgia Counties by 2015 Legislative & Congressional District” document at http://www.house.ga.gov/Documents/Information/Joint_County_Districts.pdf; Identify the county you live in and then go across for the House and Senate Districts.
Go to 2019 Online House Member Info at http://www.house.ga.gov/Documents/Information/2019_HouseMember_PublicInfo.xls. The member’s district is in Column “A.” Scroll down until you find your member’s district number. Once you find your member’s district number, their name and contact information will be in that line.
If you live in Fannin or Gilmer counties (House District 7), your State Representative is David Ralston, the current Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.
If you live in Dawson, Fannin, portions of Forsyth, Gilmer, Lumpkin, portions of Pickens, Union, and White counties (Senate District 51), your State Senator is Steve Gooch.