A state lawmaker from Forsyth County has been appointed to serve as a vice chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Law and Criminal Justice Committee.

State Sen. Jack Murphy, a Republican who represents District 27, said in a statement that he welcomed the opportunity.

“As a member of the Public Safety Committee, this is a topic that is close to my heart, therefore I am honored to be appointed,” he said.

“The chance to meet with legislators from across the country is a great opportunity to further educate myself on other states policies and implement concise, informative judiciary lawmaking within the Georgia Senate.”

The Criminal Justice Committee is one of 10 that deal with both state and state-federal issues, with jurisdictions similar to those of committees in state legislatures.

The conference’s standing committees are composed of legislators and legislative staff who are appointed by the leadership of their respective legislatures.

The committees explore issues confronting states and develop policy on state-federal issues to guide the conference’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C.

Committees do not recommend policy to the legislatures on issues that are internal to the states.

New Hampshire state Rep. Terie Norelli, president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, said it has “benefitted from Senator Murphy’s expertise over the years.”

“[His] participation will continue to ensure that the states’ agenda is carried out in Washington,” Norelli said.