Collins, Pettus to head state House committees

MONTGOMERY — A pair of North Alabama lawmakers have been named to serve as House committee chairs by Speaker-designate Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville).

Rep. Terry Collins of Decatur and Rep. Phillip Pettus of Killen are among seven lawmakers Ledbetter appointed Wednesday to serve as House committee chairs.

“These committee chairs will handle some of the most important issues that affect the daily lives of Alabamians – health, public education, election integrity, veterans affairs, accountability to taxpayers, and local measures,” said Ledbetter in a release. “And because the ability to easily transport goods plays such a vital role in Alabama’s economic development efforts, the new House committee on ports and waterways will be especially important in keeping our state growing.”

Ledbetter, the House GOP Caucus choice for speaker, unveiled this month his picks of individuals for other committee chair assignments. Wednesday’s announcement marks the third and final slate of chair appointments.

Collins will once again serve as chair of the House Education Policy Committee. In 2019, she sponsored and ushered into law the landmark Alabama Literacy Act. The lawmaker held a seat on the House Ways and Means Education Committee and also chaired the Alabama School Safety and Student Security Task Force.

Collins, whose legislative service dates back to 2010, is a retired marketing executive and businesswoman who held a 16-year career in the banking industry in Decatur.

Pettus, who was originally appointed by Speaker Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) as chair of the House Fiscal Responsibility Committee, will maintain his chairmanship.

First elected to the Legislature in 2014, Pettus held seats on the Judiciary Committee, the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

Prior to his service in public office, the lawmaker was a state trooper captain. After 25 years in law enforcement, Pettus retired in 2013.

The other planned appointments are Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island), House Ports, Waterways, and Intermodal Transit Committee; Rep. Bob Fincher (R-Rocky Branch), House Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections Committee; Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee; Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton), House Local Legislation Committee; and Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan), House Health Committee.