The push to create an easier and more productive life for veterans once they leave the military is picking up steam in the state and federal governments.

State Rep. Christian Coomer, R-Carters­ville, a floor leader for Gov. Nathan Deal, is seeing a veterans’ jobs bill he filed during this legislative session get a wave of support.

House Bill 188 was passed and adopted in the House by a vote of

167-2 and has passed the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities.

It currently sits in the Senate Rules Committee where Coomer presented it Thursday afternoon.

Coomer said Deal’s legislation would provide an opportunity for veterans who were militarily trained in skilled trades to get a state license or certification when they leave the service.

It would make it easier for them to enter the workforce by exempting some of the state requirements if they have specialized military training in certain areas.

While Coomer is the sponsor of the bill, he added that other House floor leaders and Democrats have voiced their support for it, exhibiting its broad appeal.

“It really is a bill that cuts across any party lines and ideology lines,” Coomer said. “Regardless where you come from politically, it is good to have people working.”

Wednesday is the 35th day of the legislative session and Coomer said he expects it to pass the Senate before the planned end of the 40-day session.

Tricia Pridemore, who directs the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, spoke on the efforts of her office to help veterans find jobs once they leave the military at a recent meeting of the Adairsville Council of the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce.

She specifically cited the growing need for workers in the transportation and logistics industry, with the state’s Troops to Trucks program designed to translate a military commercial drivers license into a Georgia CDL.

The office of U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, who represents Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, announced Friday that there will be a Veterans Benefits Fair on March 28 at Berry.

The free event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Krannert Center, is being presented in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Berry.

Representatives from many different divisions of the VA will be in attendance, including education, vocational rehabilitation, and medical centers.

“Our veterans and their families have given so much to our country. It is our duty to honor their service and sacrifices with the highest quality care,” Graves said. “This event will help veterans and their families learn about the benefits they have earned and provide the opportunity to resolve issues in per-son with a Veterans Affairs representative.”