Today, Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) announced the Texas House of Representatives committees for the 82nd Legislature, and issued the following statement:
“One of the most important roles of the Speaker of the House is making committee assignments. I have tried to apply the interests and expertise of individual Members to our State’s challenges, and to make sure the geographic and demographic diversity of Texas is fairly represented. Under the rules of the House, a number of committee assignments are based on Members’ seniority, and we also have a near-record 38 new freshmen representatives this year.
“I am eager for the committees to begin work on important legislation and for you to collaborate on the issues that matter most to our state. Today, I am referring hundreds of bills to the committees, so the House can immediately begin working on these critical issues. In my second term as Speaker, I am committed to continuing to lead the House with respect for the Members and the people who sent them here, allowing members to govern in a way that represents their constituents.”
The assignments have been attached.
Some Committee Facts:
• Speaker Pro Tempore: Representative Beverly Woolley (R-Houston)
• Officially designated Dean of the House: Representative Tom Craddick (R-Midland)
• Fast track Select Committee on Voter Identification and Voter Fraud; and
• Select Committee on State Sovereignty.
List of Committee Chairs:
1. Agriculture & Livestock: Representative Rick Hardcastle (R-Vernon)
2. Appropriations: Representative Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie)
3. Border & Intergovernmental Affairs: Representative Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen)
4. Business & Industry: Representative Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont)
5. Calendars: Representative Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi)
6. Corrections: Representative Jerry Madden (R-Richardson)
7. County Affairs: Representative Garnet Coleman (D-Houston)
8. Criminal Jurisprudence: Pete Gallego (D-Alpine)
9. Culture, Recreation & Tourism: Representative Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City)
10. Defense & Veterans’ Affairs: Representative Joe Pickett (D-El Paso)
11. Economic & Small Business Development: Representative John Davis (R-Houston)
12. Elections: Representative Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood)
13. Energy Resources: Representative Jim Keffer (R-Eastland)
14. Environmental Regulation: Representative Wayne Smith (R-Baytown)
15. General Investigating & Ethics: Representative Chuck Hopson (R-Jacksonville)
16. Government Efficiency & Reform: Representative William “Bill” Callegari (R-Katy)
17. Higher Education: Representative Dan Branch (R-Dallas)
18. Homeland Security & Public Safety: Representative Sid Miller (R-Stephenville)
19. House Administration: Representative Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth)
20. Human Services: Representative Richard Peña Raymond (D-Laredo)
21. Insurance: Representative John Smithee (R-Amarillo)
22. Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence: Representative Jim Jackson (R-Carrollton)
23. Land & Resource Management: Representative Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville)
24. Licensing & Administrative Procedures: Representative Mike Hamilton (R-Mauriceville)
25. Local & Consent Calendars: Representative Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston)
26. Natural Resources: Representative Allan Ritter (R-Nederland)
27. Pensions, Investments & Financial Services: Representative Vicki Truitt (R-Keller)
28. Public Education: Representative Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands)
29. Public Health: Representative Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham)
30. Redistricting: Representative Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton)
31. Rules & Resolutions: Representative Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio)
32. State Affairs: Representative Byron Cook (R-Corsicana)
33. Technology: Representative Aaron Peña (R-Edinburg)
34. Transportation: Representative Larry Phillips (R-Sherman)
35. Urban Affairs: Representative Harold Dutton Jr. (D-Houston)
36. Ways & Means: Representative Harvey Hilderbran (R-Kerrville)
37. Select Committee on State Sovereignty: Representative Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe)
38. Select Committee on Voter Identification and Voter Fraud: Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton)
• Election Contest, Select (Previously announced): Representative Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi)
• Joint Committee on Oversight and HHS Eligibility System: Representative Fred Brown (R-College Station)
