House Communications - News 1/12 - House Speaker John J. Diehl, Jr. Announces Committee Chair Selections for 98th General Assembly JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri House Speaker John J. Diehl, Jr. today announced the men and women he has selected to lead the committees of the House for the 98th General Assembly. In total, Diehl announced 55 chairmen who will lead their respective committees for the next two years. “This is an outstanding group of dedicated public servants who are ready and able to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our state this year and next,” said Diehl, R-Town and Country. “I have absolute confidence in their ability to lead their committee members in the kinds of discussions that will ensure legislation that reaches the floor is well-crafted, and thoroughly- vetted, public policy.” Along with the announcement of his chairmen, Diehl unveiled an improved committee structure that will strengthen the bill crafting process on the committee level. For the 98th General Assembly, the House will have 13 Select Committees that will serve as an additional level of quality control. Each Select Committee will be based on a particular issue area and will oversee several Standing Committees dealing with similar subject matter. Diehl said the new system will empower chairmen and committee members to specialize in issue areas where they have experience and expertise. He also said the two tier committee process will create the additional level of review that will ensure all bills are thoroughly analyzed and scrutinized before reaching the House floor. “With this new system we are placing the heavy lifting of the legislative process firmly in the committee level, and on the shoulders of the outstanding public servants who will lead these committees,” said Diehl. “I know my chairs are up to the challenge and I am excited to see the policy solutions they will develop this session that will make a positive, substantive difference in the lives of Missouri families and businesses.” -###- The full list of committee chairmen is as follows: Regular Standing Committee on Administration and Accounts- Rep. Mike Leara, R-St. Louis Regular Standing Committee on Agriculture Policy- Rep. Jay Houghton, R-Martinsburg Regular Standing Committee on Appropriations- Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources- Rep. Craig Redmon, R-Canton Regular Standing Committee on Appropriations- Elementary and Secondary Education- Rep. Kurt Bahr, R-St. Charles Regular Standing Committee on Appropriations- Health, Mental Health and Social Services- Rep. Marsha Haefner, R-St. Louis Regular Standing Committee on Appropriations- Higher Education- Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R- Jackson Regular Standing Committee Appropriations- General Administration- Rep. Robert Ross, R-Yukon Regular Standing Committee on Appropriations- Public Safety and Corrections- Rep. Kathie Conway, R-St. Charles Regular Standing Committee on Appropriations- Revenue, Transportation, and Economic Development- Rep. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield Regular Standing Committee on Banking- Rep. Sandy Crawford, R-Buffalo Regular Standing Committee on Children and Families- Rep. Diane Franklin, R-Camdenton Regular Standing Committee on Civil and Criminal Proceedings- Rep. Robert Cornejo, R-St. Peters Regular Standing Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources- Rep. Sonya Murray- Anderson, R-Springfield Regular Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs- Rep. Mark Parkinson, R-St. Charles Regular Standing Committee on Corrections- Rep. Paul Fitzwater, R-Potosi Regular Standing Committee on Economic Development and Business Attraction and Retention- Rep. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia Regular Standing Committee on Elections- Rep. Sue Entlicher, R-Bolivar Regular Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education- Rep. Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau Regular Standing Committee on Emerging Issues- Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield Regular Standing Committee on Emerging Issues in Education- Rep. Lyle Rowland, R-Cedarcreek Regular Standing Committee on Employment Security- Rep. Wanda Brown, R-Cole Camp Regular Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment- Rep. Rocky Miller, R-Lake Ozark Regular Standing Committee on Ethics- Rep. Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff Regular Standing Committee on Fiscal Review- Rep. Sue Allen, R-Town and Country Regular Standing Committee on Government Efficiency- Rep. Paul Curtman, R-Union Regular Standing Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability- Rep. Jay Barnes, R- Jefferson City Regular Standing Committee on Health and Mental Health Policy- Rep. Keith Frederick, R-Rolla Regular Standing Committee on Health Insurance- Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Frankford Regular Standing Committee on Higher Education- Rep. Steve Cookson, R-Poplar Bluff Regular Standing Committee on Local Government- Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair Regular Standing Committee on Pensions- Rep. Nate Walker, R-Kirksville Regular Standing Committee on Professional Registration- Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield Regular Standing Committee on Property, Casualty Insurance, and Life Insurance- Rep. Noel Shull, R-Kansas City Regular Standing Committee on Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness- Rep. Shawn Rhoads, R-West Plains Regular Standing Committee on Small Business- Rep. John McCaherty, R-High Ridge Regular Standing Committee on Telecommunications- Rep. Bart Korman, R-High Hill Regular Standing Committee on Trade and Tourism- Rep. Don Phillips, R-Kimberling City Regular Standing Committee on Transportation- Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer, R-Odessa Regular Standing Committee on Utility Infrastructure- Rep. Lyndall Fraker, R-Marshfield Regular Standing Committee on Veterans- Rep. Charlie Davis, R-Webb City Regular Standing Committee on Ways and Means- Rep. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester Regular Standing Committee on Workforce Standards and Development- Rep. Bill Lant, R- Pineville Select Standing Committee on Agriculture- Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho Select Standing Committee on Budget- Rep. Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage Select Standing Committee on Commerce- Rep. Anne Zerr, R-St. Charles Select Standing Committee on Education- Rep. Mike Lair, R-Chillicothe Select Standing Committee on Financial Institutions and Taxation- Rep. Tony Dugger, R-Hartville Select Standing Committee on General Laws- Rep. Caleb Jones, R-Columbia Select Standing Committee on Insurance- Rep. Don Gosen, R-Ballwin Select Standing Committee on Judiciary- Rep. Kevin Austin, R-Springfield Select Standing Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations- Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston Select Standing Committee on Rules- Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington Select Standing Committee on Social Services- Rep. Sue Allen, R-Town and Country Select Standing Committee on State and Local Governments- Rep. Sheila Solon, R-Blue Springs Select Standing Committee on Utilities- Rep. T.J. Berry, R-Kearney .