Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) announced several changes in the House committee leadership structure. These changes were prompted by resignations and vacancies.
“The Alabama House is fortunate to have a deep roster of talented and experienced individuals, so when one committee chair steps down, another blue-chip lawmaker stands ready to seamlessly step in and fill that position,” McCutcheon said. “Each of the members I have appointed has earned their position through hard work and deep commitment.”
Rep. Connie Rowe (R-Jasper) left the legislature to accept a position working for Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth. State Rep. Becky Nordgren (R-Gadsden) was elected Revenue Commissioner of Etowah County so also left the legislature. Their departures created vacancies on their committees.
State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) was appointed chairman of the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee to fill a vacancy created by Nordgren’s departure.
State Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg) will replace Whitt as vice-chair of the Economic Development & Tourism Committee.
State Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton) has stepped down as chairman of the Local Legislation Committee in order to become vice-chair of the agenda-setting Rules Committee, a vacancy created by Rowe’s departure.
Baker has also been appointed vice-chair of the Education Policy Committee, a position previously filled by State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), who was recently appointed chairman of the Ways & Means Education budget-writing committee.
That budget committee chairmanship became vacant this summer when State Rep. Bill Poole (R-Tuscaloosa) left the legislature to accept a position as State Finance Officer.
State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) will replace Baker as chair of the Local Legislation Committee and will assume the position of vice-chair of the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, which was previously held by Rowe.
State Rep. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab) had already replaced Rowe as Vice-Chair of the House Republican Caucus.
These changes are expected to stay in effect for the remainder of the quadrennium.
The legislature is presently holding a special session to appropriate ARPA funds.
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