House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, has announced the
new committee structure for the House of
Representatives.
“The House had undergone a series of changes in the
committee structure during the last administration,” said OPEA Deputy Director
Scott Barger. “It appears that Speaker Benge is moving back to a more familiar
model. Hopefully this will avoid so much confusion between subcommittees and the
standing committees.”
Among the former subcommittees that will be elevated to
committee status are Agriculture and Rural Development, Wildlife, Common
Education, Higher Education and CareerTech, Administrative Rules and Agency
Oversight, Government Modernization, Veterans and Military Affairs, and
International Relations and Tourism.
Chairmen were named for each of the committees. Vice
chairmen and other members will be named later this month. “We have a great
working relationship with many of the Chairmen such as Representatives Lisa
Billy, Randy Terrill, Doug Cox and John Wright,” said Barger. “All of these
representatives have committees that are very important to state
employees.”
Representative Lisa Billy Representative Doug Cox
House committees and committee chairs for the 2009
session:
• Administrative Rules & Agency Oversight: Chairman
Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow.
• Agriculture & Rural Development: Chairman Rep. Don
Armes, R-Faxon.
• Common Education: Chairman Rep. Ann Coody,
R-Lawton.
• Economic Development and Financial Services: Chairman
Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa.
• Energy & Utility Regulation: Chairman Rep. Mike
Thompson, R-Oklahoma City.
• General Government: Chairman Rep. Lisa Billy,
R-Purcell.
• Government Modernization: Chairman Rep. Jason Murphey,
R-Guthrie.
• Higher Education & Career Tech: Chairman Rep. Todd
Thomsen, R-Ada.
• Human Services: Chairman Rep. Pam Peterson,
R-Tulsa.
• International Relations & Tourism: Chairman Rep.
Shane Jett, R-Tecumseh.
• Judiciary: Chairman Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand
Springs.
• Public Health & Social Services: Chairman Rep.
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow.
• Public Safety & Homeland Security: Chairman Rep.
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa.
• Rules: Chairman Rep. Gus Blackwell,
R-Goodwell.
• Transportation: Chairman Rep. T.W. Shannon,
R-Lawton.
• Veterans and Military Affairs: Chairman Rep. Gary
Banz, R-Midwest
City.
• Wildlife: Chairman Rep. Phil Richardson,
R-Minco.
Appropriations and Budget Committee and Subcommittee
chairmen:
• Appropriations & Budget Committee: Chairman Rep.
Ken Miller, R-Edmond.
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Education: Chairman
Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing.
• Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government
& Transportation: Chairman Rep. Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City.
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Health: Chairman Dr.
Doug Cox, R-Grove.
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services:
Chairman Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa.
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Judiciary & Public
Safety: Chairman Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore.
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources &
Regulatory: Chairman Rep. Dale DeWitt, R-Braman.
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation:
Chairman Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Dacoma.