News Release – As members of the Kentucky House of Representatives prepare to convene the 2023 Regular Session on January 3, today House Speaker David Osborne and members of House Majority Leadership released an updated list of committee chairs and co-chairs.
“This is a tremendously talented group of individuals who are well-prepared to take the lead on these issues. I’m grateful that they are willing to serve our Commonwealth and look forward to continuing our efforts to make Kentucky an even better place to call home,” Osborne said. “This is not only a major time commitment, but a demanding role that requires they use their experience and expertise to craft solid, intentional policies that benefit all Kentuckians.”
House standing committees meet while the legislature is in session to deliberate the issues under consideration. Each committee has jurisdiction over the issues in specific subject matter. All legislation must go through the committee process before being considered by the full House. 2023 House standing committee chairs and vice chairs include:
Agriculture – Rep. Richard Heath, Chair and Rep. Dan Fister, Vice Chair
Appropriations and Revenue – Rep. Jason Petrie, Chair and Rep. Brandon Reed, Vice Chair
Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy – Rep. Chris Fugate, Chair
Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government – Rep. Chris Freeland, Chair
Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services – Rep. Danny Bentley, Chair
Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary – Rep. Patrick Flannery, Chair
Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance – Rep. Ken Fleming, Chair
Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education – Rep. Bobby McCool, Chair
Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development – Rep. Kim Banta, Chair
Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation – Rep. Ken Upchurch, Chair
Banking and Insurance – Rep. Michael Meredith, Chair and Rep. Matt Lockett, Vice Chair, and Rep. Sarge Pollock, Vice Chair
Economic Development and Workforce Investment – Rep. Russell Webber, Chair and Representative Josh Branscum, Vice Chair
Education – Rep. James Tipton, Chair, Representative Timmy Truett, Vice Chair, and Representative Shane Baker, Vice Chair
Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs – Rep. Kevin Bratcher, Chair and Rep. Josh Calloway, Vice Chair
Enrollment – Rep. Thomas Huff, Chair
Health – Rep. Kim Moser, Chair and Rep. Ryan Dotson, Vice Chair
Family Services – Rep. Samara Heavrin, Chair and Rep. Steve Riley, Vice Chair
Judiciary – Rep. Daniel Elliott, Chair and Rep. Jennifer Henson Decker, Vice Chair
Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations – Rep. Matt Koch, Chair and Rep. Tom O’Dell Smith, Vice Chair
Local Government – Rep. Randy Bridges, Chair and Rep. Josh Bray, Vice Chair
Natural Resources and Energy – Rep. Jim Gooch, Chair, Rep. Bill Wesley, Vice Chair, and Rep. Richard White, Vice Chair
Small Business and Information Technology – Rep. Phillip Pratt, Chair and Rep. William Lawrence, Vice Chair
State Government – Rep. David Hale, Chair and Rep. Mary Beth Imes, Vice Chair
Tourism and Outdoor Recreation – Rep. Kim King, Chair and Rep. Shawn McPherson, Vice Chair
Transportation – Rep. John Blanton, Chair and Rep. Jonathan Dixon, Vice Chair
Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection – Rep. Walker Thomas, Chair and Rep. Scott Sharp, Vice Chair
Statutory committees are authorized to meet throughout the year to provide oversight and probe specific issue areas. Membership of these panels is comprised of both House and Senate members. House statutory committee leadership includes:
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee – Rep. Derek Lewis, Chair
Capital Planning Advisory Board – Rep. Nancy Tate, Chair
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight – Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon, Chair
Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity – Rep. Killian Timoney, Chair
Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee – Rep. Scott Lewis, Chair
Government Contract Review – Rep. Mark Hart, Chair
Legislative Oversight and Investigations – Rep. Adam Bowling, Chair
Public Pension Oversight Board – Rep. DJ Johnson, Chair
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee – Rep. Myron Dossett, Chair
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a committee chair “serves as the parliamentary head of a committee. The chair sets the committee’s agenda, determining when—or in many states, whether—bills will be considered.”
The Kentucky Constitution provides that lawmakers convene on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each year. In odd-numbered years, the legislature meets for 30 legislative days. Kentuckians can keep up to date with the legislature by visiting legislature.ky.gov or following @KYHouseGOP on Facebook, Twitter, and most major social media outlets.
