Representative Jay Neal was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in November 2004 and serves Walker and Catoosa Counties. He serves as Vice-chairman of the Insurance Committee, a member of the Education Sub Committee of Appropriations, a member of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, and secretary of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

In his freshman year, Rep. Neal authored legislation aimed at curbing the problem of Meth manufacturing, which had reached epidemic levels in Northwest Georgia. As a result of HB 216, the number of Meth labs in Georgia was reduced by 65% in the first year. His work with Meth legislation and drug addiction recovery has earned him recognition as one of Georgia’s leaders in the fight against drug addiction. Rep. Neal has also authored several key pieces of legislation for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, including two bills that closed loop holes and expanded the GBI’s ability to collect DNA samples from convicted felons. Rep. Neal has delivered on his campaign promise to make Georgia a safer place to raise your family.

Rep. Neal has worked on the important Education sub-committee of Appropriations. It has been his desire to fund the Austerity cuts and he has worked hard to find such funding. However, as Georgia finds itself impacted by this time of recession, necessary cuts have been made. Rep. Neal has worked diligently to help find cuts that do not negatively impact the quality of education for our children. Rep. Neal also signed on as a co-sponsor to the "BRIDGE Bill" and the "Move on When Ready Act". Rep. Neal has delivered on his campaign promise to work for better education in Georgia.

As a member of the Children and Youth Committee for four years, Rep. Neal served on a special study committee looking at needs of Georgia’s Children aged 0-5 years and served as chairman of a study committee looking at the feasibility of establishing a Children’s Budget in the state of Georgia.

Rep. Neal worked on several pieces of legislation in the ’09 session to help stimulate Georgia’s economy. As a co-sponsor of HB261, Rep. Neal helped create incentives for homebuyers in the state of Georgia by providing a tax credit for anyone purchasing a home within the State of Georgia. Rep. Neal was also one of the co-sponsors of “"The JOBS Act" which would provide incentives to businesses to help stimulate the Georgia Economy. A better business environment translates into more jobs. Rep. Neal has delivered on his campaign promise to create a better business environment in the state of Georgia.

Rep. Neal has been honored for his legislative service by Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Services, Georgia Council on Substance Abuse, Georgia Addiction Counselors Association, Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, Georgia Food Industry Association, Georgia Retail Association, and Georgia Athletic Trainers Association.

Rep. Jay Neal served as pastor of Gordon Lake Wesleyan Church in LaFayette from Oct 1989 until May 2009. His local involvement in the community include: Board Member of Walker County Chamber of Commerce, Charter Member of the Battlefield Civitan Club, Board Member of Yobel House (residential drug treatment facility), Board Member of the Lookout Mountain Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Board Member of A+ Women’s Center.

Jay’s greatest accomplishment was convincing Gretchen Banther of Rock Spring, GA to marry him in May 1984.

His greatest joy has been his two daughters, Jessica and Brittney and two grand daughters, Delainey Yarbrough and Raelyn Woods.