Representative Chad Nimmer was sworn in for his fourth term Monday morning as the Georgia General Assembly convened for the 2017-18 legislative session.
Nimmer, who represents Wayne and portions of Appling, Brantley, Pierce, and Ware counties, was elected in 2010 and sworn in in 2011. The Republican legislator is one of Governor Deal’s floor leaders, meaning he helps champion initiatives stemming from the executive branch.
Nimmer previously served on the Appropriations, Game, Fish & Parks, Industry & Labor, Natural Resources & Environment, and Transportation committees.
Members have not yet been notified of their committee assignments and it won’t be until members are well into the first few legislative days before the assignments are confirmed. Committee assignments are especially important in the decision making of which bills go to the floor for a vote by the entire chamber. Among the powerful committees are Rules, Appropriations, and Ways & Means.
The Judiciary Committee, which formerly had a committee in both the Senate and House chambers, was recently combined into one joint committee as part of a decision in a closed-door meeting ahead of the convening of the session. The move was a slight to former Senate Judiciary Chairman Josh McKoon for his vocal support and push for religious freedom legislation, which previously passed and was vetoed by Governor Deal in 2016.
The legislature meets for 40 non-consecutive days beginning in January and adjourning by the first week in April. Because there are no elections in 2017 for anyone in the legislative branch, there is no rush to adjourn early and have legislators return to their districts to campaign.
Medicaid expansion, education reform to replace Governor Deal’s failed Opportunity School District amendment, and casinos are all expected to be contentious topics this session.
Make sure to check AllOnGeorgia frequently for the latest information and vote tallies as session continues.
