Senate committee chairs and members announced
Des Moines) The names of the men and women who will chair the committees of the next session of the Iowa Senate were released today.
The 30 members of the new Democratic majority of Senate were assigned by Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (Council Bluffs), who made his decisions in consultation with Senate President Jack Kibbie and the other members of the Senate majority. “We have an exceptionally talented and diverse group of Senators, which made it possible for me to assign a strong chair for each committee,” Gronstal said. “It is now their job as committee chairs to work with their colleagues, regardless of party, to find common-ground solutions to help Iowans and their families.” Under the Senate’s rules, committee chairs organize the work of their committees. All bills passed by the Senate must first pass through the committee process. “In recent years, the Legislature has relied too much on closed-door decisions made by a handful of senators,” President Kibbie said. “Committees are again going to be an important part of the Senate process. I expect some vigorous debate in committee and I expect the result will be good ideas that move Iowa forward by improving education, developing the bio-economy, creating new jobs, and expanding access to affordable health care.”(Below is a list of committee and their chairs and vice-chairs. A complete list of committee assignments can be found at www.iowasenatedemocrats.org.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Agriculture: Senator Gene Fraise, chair; Senator Tom Rielly, Vice-Chair
Appropriations: Senator Bob Dvorsky, Chair; Senator Matt McCoy, Vice-Chair
Labor & Business Relations: Senator Dick Dearden, Chair; Senator Tom Courtney, Vice-Chair
Commerce: Senator Steve Warnstadt, Chair; Senator Bill Heckroth, Vice-Chair
Economic Growth: Senator Roger Stewart, Chair; Senator Rich Olive, Vice-Chair
Education: Senator Brian Schoenjahn, Chair; Senator Staci Appel, Vice-Chair
Ethics: President Jack Kibbie, Co-Chair
Human Resources: Senator Amanda Ragan, Chair; Senator Becky Schmitz, Vice-Chair
Judiciary: Senator Keith Kreiman, Chair; Senator Rob Hogg, Vice-Chair
Local Government: Senator Herman Quirmbach, Chair; Senator Daryl Beall, Vice-Chair
Natural Resources & Environment: Senator Dennis Black, Chair; Senator Tom Hancock, Vice-Chair
Rules & Administration: Senate Leader Mike Gronstal, Chair; President Jack Kibbie, Vice-Chair
State Government: Senator Mike Connolly, Chair; Senator Wally Horn, Vice-Chair
Transportation: Senator Tom Rielly, Chair; Senator Jeff Danielson, Vice-Chair
Ways & Means: Senator Joe Bolkcom, Chair; Senator Matt McCoy, Vice-Chair
Veterans Affairs: Senator Daryl Beall, Chair; Senator Steve Warnstadt, Vice-Chair
APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES
Administration & Regulation: Senator Jeff Danielson, Chair; Senator Staci Appel, Vice-Chair
Agriculture & Natural Resources: Senator Joe Seng, Chair; Senator Brian Schoenjahn, Vice-Chair
Economic Development: Senator Bill Dotzler, Chair; Senator Bill Heckroth, Vice-Chair
Education: Senator Frank Wood, Chair; Senator Wally Horn, Vice-Chair
Health & Human Services: Senator Jack Hatch, Chair; Senator Keith Kreiman, Vice-Chair
Justice Systems: Senator Tom Hancock, Chair; Senator Gene Fraise, Vice-Chair
Transportation: Senator Matt McCoy, Chair; Senator Steve Warnstadt, Vice-Chair
Government Oversight: Senator Tom Courtney, Chair; Senator Mike Connolly, Vice Chair
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