Kent Williams
Speaker of the House of Representatives

Speaker Kent Williams See Speaker Williams
Biographical Sketch

KENT WILLIAMS
Speaker of the House of Representatives
106th General Assembly
Office of the Speaker
19 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243-0104
(615) 741-7450

Kent Williams (R-Elizabethton) is the Speaker of the House. He was born in Carter County in upper east Tennessee and currently resides there with Gayle, his wife of forty years. He has four sons and is a Southern Baptist. The speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the House. The speaker is elected to a two-year term. Additionally, the speaker is second in line for succession to the governorship in the event of such need. The speaker appoints members to all committees, unless otherwise directed by the House, and must give consideration to the abilities, preferences, party representation, and seniority of the members. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary of each committee also are chosen by the speaker and must be given the same considerations in their selection. The speaker is a voting member of all standing committees of the House, as is the speaker pro tempore. However, if both are seated in a committee meeting, only the speaker of the House may exercise the right to vote unless deferring to the speaker pro tempore. The speaker also serves as co-chairperson of the Joint Legislative Services Committee and must approve, in concurrence with the speaker of the Senate, the directors of the offices of Legislative Information Services, Legal Services, Legislative Administration and Legislative Budget Analysis. Additionally, the Speaker holds ex-officio membership on several special committees including the Fiscal Review Committee, the Council on Pensions and Insurance and the State Building Commission. The speaker has important administrative responsibilities during the formal sessions of the General Assembly. He signs all acts, proceedings, or orders of the House and is in charge of all facilities, professional and clerical staff, custodians and security personnel of the House.