Rep. Lynn Smith Honored with 2026 Legislative Service Award by Georgia’s County Association

ATLANTA - State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), chair of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, was recently honored with a 2026 Legislative Service Award by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) for her work during the 2026 legislative session. Rep. Smith was presented with the award at a recent Coweta County Commission meeting.

"For 30 years, ACCG and the Coweta County Administration and Board of Commissioners have been an invaluable resource for me as the General Assembly debated policy issues," said Rep. Smith. "I am thankful for this honor and the recognition of my dedication to helping shape environmental policy."

ACCG notes that Rep. Lynn Smith's three decades of service in the Georgia House of Representatives have left a lasting mark on environmental policy and local government in Georgia. ACCG further highlights that as chair of the House Natural Resources Committee since 2004, Rep. Smith has been a trusted partner in shaping major environmental initiatives, including the State Water Plan, the Water Stewardship Act and other policies affecting counties statewide. During the 2026 legislative session, Rep. Smith sponsored HR 1008, an update to the State Water Plan supported by ACCG, and played a role in amending SB 447 to address county concerns regarding land disturbance permitting preemption. ACCG adds that Rep. Smith's steady leadership, policy expertise and longstanding partnership with Georgia counties will be deeply missed as she concludes her distinguished legislative career.

"For more than a decade, ACCG has honored members of the General Assembly through our Legislative Service Awards program," said Executive Director Dave Wills. "This awards program serves as a way for us to express our gratitude to legislators for their efforts during the session, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration between state and local officials."

ACCG is Georgia's county association and works on behalf of county officials and their communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local government needs and other cost-saving programs. Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state's first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia's counties. For more information, please visit www.accg.org.

Editor's note: A photo of Rep. Lynn Smith (center), ACCG Director of Governmental Affairs Todd Edwards (far left), ACCG Governmental Affairs Associate Joel Truss (second from right) and Coweta County commissioners is included.

Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Carroll and Coweta counties. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and currently serves as Chair of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, Creative Arts & Entertainment, Economic Development & Tourism, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Rules and Small Business Development committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.

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