Monday, during ongoing inaugural activities in Columbus, the newly elected House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger announced the new committee line up and respective chairs and ranking minority members for the 131st General Assembly. Together with Minority Leader Fred Strahorn, Speaker Rosenberger unveiled the restructured committees that include two more standing committees, bringing the total number to 19 committees. The House split the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee into Agriculture and Rural Development, and Energy and Natural Resources, in addition to adding the Minority Affairs Subcommittee.
Overall, Speaker Rosenberger has put forward a committee structure that he believes will ensure adequate time and consideration are given to all issues, especially detailed and specific issues unique to agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources.
2014 Chamber Choice candidates Rep. Anne Gonzales and Rep. Stephanie Kunze both earned leadership positions. Rep. Gonzales was named chairman of the Health and Aging Committee, while Rep. Kunze was named vice chairwoman of the State Government Committee.
Furthermore, of the 68 committee leadership positions, Ohio Chamber-endorsed candidates earned 45 of them. With so many pro-business representatives involved at the committee leadership level, we anticipate seeing legislation that makes good business sense supported in committees – and legislation that would hinder businesses and complicate the regulatory landscape face greater scrutiny.
Full committee assignments are expected to be finalized and announced later this week or early next week.