The sponsor of last year’s “campus carry” gun bill was named the new chairman of the House Higher Education Committee on Wednesday, one of a number of moves announced to fill vacant committee chairs.

Rep. Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper, who is again expected to introduce a bill to allow licensed weapons permit holders to carry firearms on the state's public college campuses, will lead the panel that oversees college and university policy.

Among other key appointments announced Wednesday:

Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, is the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee, replacing Rep. Christian Coomer, R-Cartersville, who was elected to a House Republican Caucus leadership post.

Rep. Jason Shaw, R-Lakeland, will also lead a newly created transportation funding subcommittee.

Other new chairs include:

About the Author

Keep Reading

Chip Carter, a son of the late President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with longtime family caregiver and nanny, Mary Prince. "She's just family," Carter said. Plains, Georgia, July 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Chuck Williams)

Credit: Courtesy Chuck Williams

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC