Cong. Hern named to House Ways and Means Committee

Hern earns spot on prestigious Ways and Means Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after accepting a seat on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

“I am honored to join some of Congress’ brightest minds on its most historic and powerful committee,” said Rep. Hern. “Ways and Means controls tax and trade issues, which are incredibly important to the people of Oklahoma. It’s been 20 years since an Oklahoman sat on Ways and Means; I am proud to represent our state and advocate for our people in this new role.

“After building a career in business, serving several years on the McDonald’s National Leadership Team, and now serving in Congress, I’ve spent time on both sides of the issues Ways and Means deals with every day. I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of federal regulations and restrictive tax codes, so I believe I can be a unique voice to provide the business owner perspective on Ways and Means.”

Rep. Hern continued, “Ranking Member Brady was at the helm of the mission to update and modernize the tax code in 2017 with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as negotiating a new trade deal with the USMCA in 2019. His leadership has impacted every American for the better. I look forward to serving alongside him and the many hardworking members of the Ways and Means Committee.”

Speaker Shannon announces House committee leadership

Speaker Shannon Announces Committee Leadership Posts

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker-elect T.W. Shannon today announced committee chairs and vice chairs for standing House committees and appropriation subcommittees.

“After careful consideration, we chose members who we believe have the talent, experience and leadership qualities to lead these committees as effectively and efficiently as possible for the people of Oklahoma,” said Rep. Shannon, R-Lawton. “I am grateful for each of these members’ willingness to serve, and I look forward to the upcoming session.”

The House committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for the upcoming legislative session include (click to view below the break):

New Faces on State House Committees

There are a lot of fresh faces on the 26 different Committees and Appropriations Subcommittees in the State House this year, and that's not just because 21 of the 101 state representatives are newly-elected freshmen.

An analysis shows that retention of committee memberships from the last legislative session to this upcoming session (excluding two new committees and the 2011 freshmen) ranged from a high of 73% to a low of 20%. On average, 46% of committee members from the 2009-2010 term were re-appointed.

House Speaker Kris Steele's stated purpose in assigning committee memberships was to "match members to committees in a way that will best utilize each legislator's gifts and talents."

Two committees that did not exist last term were formed for this term: Insurance, and Long-term Care & Senior Services. Two committees were formed by merging committees, and one Appropriations subcommittee was split into two.

When freshmen are taken out of the equation, the retention rate is as follows:

Public Health: 73%
Energy & Utility Regulation: 72%
Veterans & Military Affairs: 70%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services: 70%
Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment: 69%
General Government: 67%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education: 67%
Common Education: 64%
Higher Education & Career Tech: 50%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health & Social Services: 50%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety: 50%
Appropriations & Budget: 47%
Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services: 45%
Human Services: 45%
Judiciary: 43%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services: 43%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Judiciary: 43% 
Public Safety: 38%
Government Modernization: 30%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation: 30%
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation: 25%
Transportation: 23% 
Rules: 23%
Administrative Rules & Government Oversight: 20%

On the 24 committees that carried over, 11 chairmen and 6 vice-chairmen were retained. 2 chairmen and 6 vice-chairmen were demoted, but stayed on the committee, while 4 vice-chairs were promoted to chair. 7 new chairmen and 13 new vice-chairmen were placed on committees they were not previously members of.

Committee-by-committee details after the jump.

Steele Announces House Committee Assignments

Speaker-elect Announces House Committee Assignments

 OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Speaker Kris Steele today announced committee assignments for the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions.

"Although Oklahoma faces significant challenges this year, I am confident the members of the House are more than up to the task," said Steele, R-Shawnee. "I appreciate each member’s willingness to serve and, after careful consideration, believe we have matched members to committees in a way that will best utilize each legislator’s gifts and talents."

The committee assignments for the Oklahoma House of Representatives are as follows:

Appropriations & Budget
Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, Chair
Scott Martin, R-Norman, Vice-Chair
Don Armes, R-Faxon                                   
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell
Doug Cox, R-Grove
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City
Lee Denney, R-Cushing
Dale DeWitt, R-Braman
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah
Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs
Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita
Jerry McPeak, D-Warner
Purcy Walker, D-Elk City


Human Services
Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa, Chair
Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, Vice-Chair
Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City                                              
Skye McNiel, R-Bristow
Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie
Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City
Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Harold Wright, R-Weatherford
Donnie Condit, D-McAlester
Wade Rousselot, D-Okay
Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa
Ben Sherrer, D-Pryor


Government Modernization
Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, Chair
Wes Hilliard, D-Sulphur, Vice-Chair
David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow                      
Josh Cockroft, R-McLoud
David Derby, R-Owasso
Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa
Lewis Moore, R-Edmond
Aaron Stiles, R-Norman
Randy Terrill, R-Moore
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow
Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa
Purcy Walker, D-Elk City


Higher Education & Career Tech
Todd Thomsen, R-Ada, Chair
Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs, Vice-Chair
Dennis Casey, R-Morrison
Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond
Lee Denney, R-Cushing
Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City
Scott Martin, R-Norman
Lewis Moore, R-Edmond
Tom Newell, R-Seminole
Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Phil Richardson, R-Minco
T. W. Shannon, R-Lawton
Randy Terrill, R-Moore
Harold Wright, R-Weatherford
Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City
Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City
Emily Virgin, D-Norman
Cory Williams, D-Stillwater


General Government
Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan, Chair
Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City, Vice Chair
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell                                     
Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City
Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Scott Martin, R-Norman
Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville
Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
Randy Terrill, R-Moore
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa
Donnie Condit, D-McAlester
Larry Glenn, D-Miami
Wade Rousselot, D-Okay
Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris


Energy & Utility Regulation
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow, Chair
Mike Jackson, R-Enid, Vice-Chair
Don Armes, R-Faxon                                               
David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow                      
Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond
Lee Denney, R-Cushing
Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa
Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville
Skye McNiel, R-Bristow
Charles Ortega, R-Altus
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
Todd Russ, R-Cordell
Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher
Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon
T. W. Shannon, R-Lawton
Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa
Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore
Wes Hilliard, D-Sulphur
Scott Inman, D-Del City
Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs
Jerry McPeak, D-Warner
Danny Morgan, D-Prague
Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa
Wade Rousselot, D-Okay
Ben Sherrer, D-Pryor


Public Health
John Enns, R-Enid, Chair
David Derby, R-Owasso, Vice-Chair
Doug Cox, R-Grove                                    
Randy Grau, R-Edmond
Corey Holland, R-Marlow
Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow
Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon
Ed Cannaday, D-Porum
Wes Hilliard, D-Sulphur
Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City
Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa


Administrative Rules and Government Oversight
George Faught, R-Muskogee, Chair
Purcy Walker, D-Elk City, Vice-Chair
Gary Banz, R-Midwest City                                                
David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow
Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City
Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa
Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa
Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa
Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell                                       
Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City
Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City


Veterans & Military Affairs
Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, Chair
Lewis Moore, R-Edmond, Vice-Chair
Gary Banz, R-Midwest City                                                 
John Bennett, R-Sallisaw
Ann Coody, R-Lawton
Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond
John Enns, R-Enid
Rusty Farley, R-Haworth
Dustin Roberts, R-Hominy
Aaron Stiles, R-Norman
Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita                                          
Scott Inman, D-Del City
Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa
Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo


Judiciary
Fred Jordan, R-Jenks, Chair
Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon, Vice-Chair
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell                                    
Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond
Randy Grau, R-Edmond
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa
Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa
Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle
Aaron Stiles, R-Norman
Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa
Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore
Scott Inman, D-Del City
Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Ben Sherrer, D-Pryor
Emily Virgin, D-Norman
Cory Williams, D-Stillwater


Transportation
T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton, Chair
Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City, Vice-Chair
Josh Cockroft, R-McLoud                                       
Rusty Farley, R-Haworth
George Faught, R-Muskogee
Randy Grau, R-Edmond
Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City
Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Scott Martin, R-Norman
Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie
Phil Richardson, R-Minco
Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
Todd Thomsen, R-Ada
Harold Wright, R-Weatherford
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah               
Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs
James Lockhart, D-Heavener
Jerry McPeak, D-Warner
Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa


Public Safety
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, Chair
Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville, Vice-Chair
John Bennett, R-Sallisaw                                         
Josh Cockroft, R-McLoud
Doug Cox, R-Grove
Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
Fred Jordan, R-Jenks
Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City
Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore
Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa
Todd Thomsen, R-Ada
Steve Vaughan, R-Ponca City
Ed Cannaday, D-Porum
Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita
Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City
Brian Renegar, D-McAlester
Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo


Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment
Phil Richardson, R-Minco, Chair
Todd Russ, R-Cordell, Vice-Chair
John Bennett, R-Sallisaw                                         
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell
Dennis Casey, R-Morrison
John Enns, R-Enid
Rusty Farley, R-Haworth
Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
Mike Jackson, R-Enid
Tom Newell, R-Seminole
Charles Ortega, R-Altus
Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle
Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher
Steve Vaughan, R-Ponca City
Larry Glenn, D-Miami                                             
Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs
James Lockhart, D-Heavener
R. C. Pruett, D-Antlers
Brian Renegar, D-McAlester
Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris


Common Education
Ann Coody, R-Lawton, Chair
Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa, Vice-Chair
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell                                    
Dennis Casey, R-Morrison
Doug Cox, R-Grove
Corey Holland, R-Marlow
Fred Jordan, R-Jenks
Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City
Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City
Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore
Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
Ed Cannaday, D-Porum
Donnie Condit, D-McAlester
Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa
Emily Virgin, D-Norman


Rules
Gary Banz, R-Midwest City, Chair
Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa, Vice-Chair
Don Armes, R-Faxon                                    
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City
Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond
Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa
Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow
Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs
Larry Glenn, D-Miami
Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City
Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa
Cory Williams, D-Stillwater


Insurance
Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa, Vice-Chair
Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City                                       
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City
Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa
Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow
Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
Steve Vaughan, R-Ponca City
Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs          
Danny Morgan, D-Prague
Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City
Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa


Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services
Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond, Chair
Charles Ortega, R-Altus, Vice-Chair
Don Armes, R-Faxon                                               
Lee Denney, R-Cushing
George Faught, R-Muskogee
Corey Holland, R-Marlow
Mike Jackson, R-Enid
Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City
Skye McNiel, R-Bristow
Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa
Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle
Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore
Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Todd Russ, R-Cordell
Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah                           
Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City
Danny Morgan, D-Prague
Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City
Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City


Long-term Care & Senior Services
Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
R.C. Pruett, D-Antlers, Vice-Chair
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell 
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell
Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City
Ann Coody, R-Lawton
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City
Tom Newell, R-Seminole
Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow
Ed Cannaday, D-Porum
Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell
James Lockhart, D-Heavener


Appropriations Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore, Vice-Chair
Mike Jackson, R-Enid                                  
Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville
Tom Newell, R-Seminole
Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Todd Russ, R-Cordell
Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah
Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City
R. C. Pruett, D-Antlers


Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
Lee Denney, R-Cushing, Chair
Corey Holland, R-Marlow, Vice-Chair
Gary Banz, R-Midwest City
Dennis Casey, R-Morrison
Ann Coody, R-Lawton
Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City
Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
Todd Thomsen, R-Ada
Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa
Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa
Cory Williams, D-Stillwater


Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
Harold Wright, R-Weatherford, Vice-Chair
George Faught, R-Muskogee                                   
Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan
Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City
Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond
Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie
T. W. Shannon, R-Lawton
Randy Terrill, R-Moore
Larry Glenn, D-Miami
Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa
Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa


Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health & Social Services
Doug Cox, R-Grove, Chair
Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond, Vice-Chair
Josh Cockroft, R-McLoud                                       
David Derby, R-Owasso
Lewis Moore, R-Edmond
Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa
Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon
Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore
Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell                                       
Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City
Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City


Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa, Chair
Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, Vice-Chair
Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa                                             
Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City
Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa
Steve Vaughan, R-Ponca City
Brian Renegar, D-McAlester
Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa
Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City


Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services
Don Armes, R-Faxon, Chair
Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle, Vice-Chair
John Enns, R-Enid                                       
Rusty Farley, R-Haworth
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa
Skye McNiel, R-Bristow
Charles Ortega, R-Altus
Phil Richardson, R-Minco
Brian Renegar, D-McAlester                       
Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris
Purcy Walker, D-Elk City


Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell, Chair
Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, Vice-Chair
John Bennett, R-Sallisaw                                         
David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow
Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City
Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher
Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs
Donnie Condit, D-McAlester
Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo


Appropriations Subcommittee on Judiciary
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell, Chair
Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa, Vice-Chair
Randy Grau, R-Edmond                                         
Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow
Fred Jordan, R-Jenks
Aaron Stiles, R-Norman
Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Ben Sherrer, D-Pryor
Emily Virgin, D-Norman