Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced the members of the House Rural Development Council for the 2023-2024 legislative session:

Rep. Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert) – Co-Chair
Rep. Mack Jackson (D-Sandersville) – Co-Chair
Rep. John Corbett (R-Lake Park) – Vice Chair
Rep. Patty Bentley (D-Butler)
Rep. Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons)
Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper)
Rep. Steven Meeks (R-Screven)
Rep. Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn)
Rep. Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth)
Rep. Steve Tarvin (R-Chickamauga)
Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville)
Rep. Bill Werkheiser (R-Glennville)
Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway)
Rep. Noel Williams (R-Cordele)
Rep. Bill Yearta (R-Sylvester)

Speaker Burns has also named a number of committee chairmen as ex-officio members based on their subject-area of expertise:

Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), Chairman – Ways & Means
Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), Chairman – Creative Arts & Entertainment
Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella), Chairman – Agriculture & Consumer Affairs
Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin), Chairman – Appropriations
Rep. Penny Houston (R-Nashville), Chairman – Economic Development (Appropriations)
Rep. Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro), Chairman – Special Committee on Healthcare
Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), Chairman – Regulated Industries
Rep. Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro), Chairman – Game, Fish & Parks
Rep. Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), Chairman – Natural Resources & Environment
Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), Chairman – Economic Development & Tourism

The House Rural Development Council was created in 2017 to work with rural communities to find ways to encourage economic growth and job creation. It was renewed for the 2023-2024 legislative session by House Resolution 488 that was unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives on Monday, March 27. The text of H.R. 488 is available here.