ATLANTA (AP) -- The pool of candidates eligible to serve as deputy leader of the Georgia National Guard would widen under a bill approved by House lawmakers.
Lawmakers voted 92-62 on Thursday to ease the qualifications for military officers who can be appointed to the position of assistant adjutant general.
Under the old law, a candidate with the rank of least lieutenant colonel needed to have a minimum of five years of experience in the Georgia National Guard to qualify. The new proposal would allow candidates to also count experience in the U.S. Army or Air Force.
Republican Rep. Matt Hatchett said the change will broaden the candidate pool.
Rep. Ambrose Sims asked his colleagues to vote against the bill, saying only higher-ranking officers should be considered. He will try for a revote.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)