MONTGOMERY – Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, on Thursday announced a slate of new House committee vice chairmen and other key committee appointments that will take effect when the legislature returns to Montgomery in January.

“I am confident that this group of legislators will continue our successful efforts to fundamentally change how Montgomery operates,” Hubbard said in a statement. “Our work over the past three years has placed Alabama firmly on the road to reform and this year will be no different. Each of these individuals is uniquely qualified to fill these roles and I look forward to working with each of them as we continue to move Alabama forward.”

The following individuals have been named Vice Chairman of their respective committees:

· Rep. Mike Ball (R-Madison), Vice Chairman, Internal Affairs
· Rep. Dickie Drake (R-Leeds), Vice Chairman, Military and Veteran Affairs
· Rep. Jack Williams (R-Vestavia Hills), Vice Chairman, Financial Services
· Rep. Greg Wren (R-Montgomery), Vice Chairman, Ways and Means General Fund

Speaker Hubbard also announced appointments to other House Committees, including:

· Agriculture and Forestry: Rep. David Sessions (R- Grand Bay)
· County and Municipal Government: Rep. Randall Shedd (R- Cullman)
· Economic Development and Tourism: Rep. Kurt Wallace (R- Maplesville)
· Education Policy: Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur)
· Internal Affairs: Rep. April Weaver (R-Brierfield)
· Judiciary: Rep. David Standridge (R- Hayden)
· Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure: Rep. Randall Shedd (R- Cullman)
· Ways and Means Education: Rep. Mac Buttram (R- Cullman) and Rep. Donnie Chesteen (R- Geneva)
· Ways and Means General Fund: Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan)

The appointments will take effect for the 2014 regular legislative session, which is scheduled to convene on January 14, 2014.

Earlier this year, Speaker Hubbard announced Chairman appointments to several committees, including:

· Rep. Steve Clouse (R- Ozark), Chairman, Ways and Means General Fund
· Rep. Alan Harper (R-Northport), Chairman, Economic Development and Tourism
· Rep. Bill Poole (R-Tuscaloosa), Chairman, Ways and Means Education
· Rep. Lesley Vance (R- Phenix City), Chairman, Financial Services

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamYHN