The Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) has named State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Daphne) as its 2021 Legislator of the Year.

Elliott represents Senate District 32, which covers Baldwin County and serves on the Senate’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee as well as vice chairman of the Government Affairs Committee.

AFA said Elliott played an integral role in the authorship and passage of Senate Bill 107, which limits the authority that cities have outside of their traditional jurisdiction. The association actively worked to support Elliott in making this bill a success.

Elliott touted the AFA’s work in supporting the rights of landowners.

“Authoring and successfully shepherding impactful legislation that reflects strong conservative principles and limited government is a priority,” said Elliott. “The Alabama Forestry Association is widely regarded as one of the most conservative associations in the state and a great partner. It is an honor to be recognized as their Legislator of the Year.”

Tom Bradley, chairman of AFA’s Governmental Affairs Committee and member of ForestPAC’s board of directors, hailed Elliott’s legislative efforts to combat what it calls “government overreach.”

“Chris Elliott has passed one of the most beneficial recent pieces of legislation in Senate Bill 107,” said Bradley. “This legislation protects the private landowner from city government overreach and enables the landowner to manage their timber stands using good silvicultural practices. Without Chris’ hard work, this bill would have never gotten passed. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of Legislator of the Year.”

AFA last month endorsed Elliott in his bid for reelection to the Alabama State Senate.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL