MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — State Sen. Burt Jones (R-Jackson) and new state Rep. Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville) have been named to important committees during the 154^th legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly.

Williams, a freshman lawmaker, is the first Republican to ever serve in the Georgia House of Representatives from Milledgeville and Baldwin County. Williams, a Milledgeville resident and area businessman, was just sworn into office on Monday.

One of the appointments Jones received this week was a prestigious one. He was named by members of the Senate Committee on Assignments to serve as chairman of the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee.

Jones, who represents Georgia Senate District 25, which consists of Baldwin, Butts, Greene, Jasper, Morgan and Putnam counties, along with portions of Bibb, Jones and Walton counties, will also serve as a member of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions. Jones also will serve as a member of the Higher Education Committee, and the Transportation Committee during the current session that began Monday at the state capitol in Atlanta.

Jones expressed delight over his appointment to serve as chairman of the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for this appointment,” Jones said. “I look forward to working with other committee members to properly vet and review legislation. We will work hard to pass legislation that benefits the lives of all Georgians.”

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle was one of the first state officials to congratulate Jones after his chairmanship appointment.

“Sen. Jones has distinguished himself as a leader in the Senate, someone who is committed to advancing the interests of every Georgia citizen,” Cagle said in a statement. “I look forward to his work as chair of the Insurance and Labor Committee and am confident Sen. Jones will bring a great deal of insight to the legislation that comes before his committee.”

Senate President Pro-Tem David Shafer (R-Duluth) expressed pleasure with Jones, as well as other state lawmakers serving in key leadership positions during this year’s General Assembly.

“The Georgia Senate is composed of individuals with a breadth of talent and experience,” Shafer said. “I believe our new committee chairs and members have the right expertise to address critical issues.”

Committee members play key roles in whether or not any proposed legislation moves forward. Members of those committees have to decide whether or not certain proposed legislation receives a “do pass” recommendation from them or not.

After that process, the proposed legislation is then forwarded to the Rules Committee for consideration.

Those appointed chairpersons of the committees later have to oversee that process and arrange for Senate committee meetings, as well as calling for action on bills, resolutions or other matters as may be assigned to a particular committee.

The 63-year-old Williams said he is excited about serving as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.

“What an honor to be here in the capitol and to represent our district,” Williams said earlier this week.

After taking the oath of office on Monday, Williams later was appointed to by members of the Georgia House of Representatives’ Committee on Assignments to the serve as a member of the Higher Education Committee, as well as on the committees for Intra-governmental Coordination, and Regulated Industries.

“These are committees that have a direct impact on our community,” Williams said. “I look forward to working with our education institutions to achieve their goals. Also my experience as a county commissioner and knowledge of other counties makes this an awesome opportunity to bring attention to Middle Georgia.”

The House of Representatives Committee on Assignments is led by Chairman David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge). Ralston, who supported Williams during his recent campaign to become the next state representative from Milledgeville, is tasked with making all House committee assignments.

Ralston also serves as Georgia House Speaker.