House committee chairs and vice chairs were recently announced by House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert. I will be serving as vice chair of the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee. Oversight committees are new this year, part of a two-tiered system that will allow legislation to be more thoroughly vetted and deliberated at the committee level before bills reach the floor. The process will be similar on the policy sidetohowcommitteesandsubcommittees are currently structured for appropriations. Under the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee will be the following committees: Public Health; Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances;Children,Youth and Family Services; and Veteran and Military Affairs.
Hilbert pointed out that each year, the Legislature considers thousands of bills. Committees are where the majority of deliberative work should be done to build consensus around language and neededchanges.Themorethorough work we can do in the beginning of session, the more likely we are to have a clear, transparent process that allows good bills to become law.
The members of each committee have yet to be announced, but the list should be out soon. Committee work generally begins by the second week of the legislative session, in February. To advance to a vote on the floor and beyond, bills must be first and second read in the House chamber, then assigned to committees, where they must pass. If a committee does not pass in committee, it cannot become law.
In addition to my assignment as chair, I’ve also been named an assistant majority whip.
The whip’s job is to talk to members about pending votes and make suretheyunderstandthelegislation being proposed and to gauge if it has enough support to advance. We have 81 Republicans this year, 14 of those new members. It will be interesting to get to visit with them about pending legislation and to help determine priorities.
I also was elected to serve as secretary for the House majority caucus. In this role, I’m responsible for scheduling our regular meetings and for communicating caucus updates to our members. I also will keep track of those who seek nominations for various positions within the caucus, and will count votes when they are taken.
Even with these expanded roles in the House, my first duty, of course, is to the constituents of House District 49. In fact, I believe these leadership positions will help me better serve our district.
I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and hope for a very Happy New Year.
Remember, if I can help you with anything, please do not hesitate to reach out: (405) 557-7383 or Josh. Cantrell@OKHouse.gov.
Josh Cantrell serves District 49 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Love County and parts of Carter and Marshall counties.