Jay Powell died on Monday night, November 25, 2019 during a Republican caucus leadership event, according to House Speaker David Ralson.
Powell is the chairman of the powerful Georgia House Rules Committee. He suddenly collapsed and died at a lawmaker retreat.
Powell was an attorney from Camilla in South Georgia. He had served in the state House since 2009.
In his role on the Rules Committee, which he assumed earlier this year, Powell helped decide which bills came up for a vote in the House. He was an advocate for rural revitalization and previously co-chaired the House Rural Development Council.
