Monday, House Speaker Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) announced numerous changes to the Alabama House of Representatives’ committee leadership makeup.
The appointments were necessary to fill open committee leadership positions due to resignations and vacancies.
McCutcheon in a release touted the lower chamber’s membership and indicated that the body would be well served by its new committee leaders.
“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,” stated McCutcheon. “Each of the members I have appointed has earned their position through hard work and deep commitment.”
The chairmanship of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee will be held by State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest). Whitt assumes the role previously held by former State Rep. Becky Nordgren (R-Gadsden), who resigned from the legislature due to her election as Etowah County Revenue Commissioner.
Replacing Whitt as vice chair of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee will be State Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg).
Former State Rep. Connie Rowe’s (R-Jasper) resignation from the legislature to become senior advisor to Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth left vacant the vice chairmanship of the House Rules Committee. The agenda-setting role will be assumed by State Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton), who has resigned as chairman of the House Local Legislation Committee.
Additionally, Baker has been appointed vice chair of the House Education Policy Committee, which was formerly held by State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville). Garrett recently became chairman of the House Ways and Means Education Committee.
State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) was appointed as chairman of the House Local Legislation Committee and will also serve as vice chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, a position previously held by Rowe.
McCutcheon’s office advised that the committee leadership changes are expected to stay in effect for the remainder of the quadrennium.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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