Rep. Joseph Gullett Appointed to Joint Study Committee on Evaluating Escalating Costs in Georgia’s Foster Care System

ATLANTA - State Representative Joseph Gullett (R-Dallas), chairman of the House Appropriations Judicial Subcommittee, was recently appointed by House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) to serve on the Joint Study Committee on Evaluating Escalating Costs in Georgia's Foster Care System.

"As a foster parent, I have a unique understanding of the process and complexities of Georgia's foster care system," said Chairman Gullett. "While the General Assembly has made strides in advancing legislation that supports our state's foster care system, there is still more work to be done to ensure that we are protecting one of our state's most vulnerable populations. I am proud to be able to use my personal and legislative experience to have a seat at the table for these important discussions. Many thanks to Speaker Burns for appointing me to serve in this capacity, and I look forward to returning to the Gold Dome for the 2027 legislative session with legislative proposals to better improve our foster care system as a result of our study committee work this interim."

Created by Senate Resolution 622, the Joint Study Committee on Evaluating Escalating Costs in Georgia's Foster Care System will examine the existing framework of the delivery of out of home care services, wrap-around services and all related costs to determine future availability of resources and leverage efficiencies to achieve the best possible outcomes for foster children.

Speaker Burns also appointed the following study committee members: State Representatives Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), Beth Camp (R-Concord), Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville), Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) and Esther Panitch (D-Sandy Springs).

More information about 2026 study committees may be found here.

Meeting notices, agendas and additional details for 2026 study committee meetings will be posted here.

Representative Joseph Gullett represents the citizens of District 19, which includes portions of Cobb and Paulding counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Judicial. He also serves on the Banks & Banking, Government Affairs, Insurance, Judiciary Non-Civil, Judiciary Juvenile and Technology and Infrastructure Innovation committees.

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