Rep. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, was named House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Chairman during the two-day 2015 Alabama Legislature organizational session where top Republicans retained leadership in the House and Senate.
Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, was re-elected Speaker of the House and Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, was re-elected Senate president pro tempore.
“I’m privileged and honored to have been chosen,” said Sessions, a Mobile County Farmers Federation member. “I’ve been in agriculture all my life. I’m looking forward to serving the people of Alabama and doing the job to the best of my ability.”
Federation House Legislative Programs Director David Cole said Sessions is a voice for agriculture and a solid choice to lead the Committee.
"Rep. Sessions will be an outstanding chairman of the Agriculture and Forestry Committee," Cole said. "As a farmer, he understands the issues, challenges and opportunities the industry faces. We look forward to his leadership and working with the Committee to strengthen farming and forestry in Alabama."
Cole said farmers gained another voice on the committee in Rep. Will Ainsworth, R-Guntersville.
"Rep. Ainsworth developed leadership skills as a member of the Young Farmers, and he currently serves as chairman of the Federation State Wildlife Resources Committee," Cole said. "Both he and Rep. Sessions bring real-world experience to the committee, which will be invaluable as the Legislature evaluates the impact of proposed legislation."
New additions to the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee are K.L. Brown, R-Jacksonville; Bob Fincher, R-Woodland; Tommy Hanes, R-Scottsboro; Reed Ingram, R-Mathews, and Jack Williams, R-Wilmer. They will join Vice Chairman Rep. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva; Rep. Richard Lindsey, D-Centre; Rep. Randy Davis; R-Daphne; Rep. Joe Faust, R-Fairhope; Rep. Dexter Grimsley, D-Newville, and Artis “A.J.” McCampbell, D-Livingston.
Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, retained leadership of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Bay Minette, was named vice chairman.
"Sen. Whatley has been a strong voice for agriculture, and we look forward to working with him again in 2015," said Federation Senate Legislative Programs Director Matthew Durdin. "He grew up on a farm and understands what it takes to make a living in agriculture and forestry. He is joined by a strong slate of new senators who were endorsed by the Federation and have relationships with leaders in their districts."
New additions to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee are Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville; Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro; Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence; Sen. Harri Anne Smith, I-Slocomb, and Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia. They will join Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton; Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman; Sen. Rusty Glover, R-Semmes; Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville; Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Arab, and Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro.
Other notable committee chairs are: House Rules Committee Chairman Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw; House Insurance Chairman Rep. Mike Hill, R-Columbia; House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia; Senate Banking and Insurance Chairman Slade Blackwell, R-Mountain Brook; Senate Confirmations Chairman Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Arab; and Senate Judiciary Chairman Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster.
Courtesy of the Alabama Farmers Federation
