Speaker Karen Bass announced more changes to Assembly committee chairmanships Thursday, promoting Assemblyman Dave Jones to chair the Health Committee next year and making three other key shifts.
Jones, a Sacramento Democrat, is currently chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The new chairmanship is considered higher on the Capitol pecking order, as many influential bills pass through the health panel, particularly as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said reforming the state's health system remains a top priority.
The current chairman, Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, D-Compton, is termed out this year.
Replacing Jones as Judiciary chairman will be Assemblyman Mike Feuer, a freshman Democrat from Los Angeles and the current chairman of the budget subcommittee on transportation.
Feuer, who himself ran for speaker himself, had been a candidate for the chair of the powerful budget committee. Instead, he will wield the gavel over the Judiciary Committee.
Moving up to chair the Assembly Transportation Committee, another influential panel, is Assemblyman Mike Eng of Monterey Park.
Its current chairman, Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier of Concord, is leaving the lower house after a single term for the state Senate.
Eng's move to transportation will open up the chairmanship of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee. Bass will replace Eng with Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, a Hawyward Democrat.
None of the changes are effective immediately. The new chairs will take over the committees in December.
Here's a recap of all the committee chair and leadership moves Bass has made since her selection as speaker:
Majority leader: Alberto Torrico
Assistant speaker pro tem: Lori Saldaña
Appropriations: Kevin De Leon
Budget: Noreen Evans
*Rules: Ted Lieu
Health: Dave Jones
Transportation: Mike Eng (from Business and Professions)
Judiciary: Mike Feuer
Business and Professions: Mary Hayashi
Governmental Organization: Curren Price
*Lieu was named as the chair of Rules after Bass was elected speaker, but before she was sworn in. Officially, former Speaker Fabian Núñez made the move, though Bass has not changed the appointment.
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