Senate President Ken Pruitt Announces Committee Chair
and Committee Member Appointments

Tallahassee, FL - Senate President Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) today released the Senate committee chairs and membership for the 2006-2008 term. Senator Pruitt will be joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Lisa Carlton (R-Sarasota), Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster (R-Orlando), and Senate Minority Leader Steve Geller (D-Hallandale Beach) this morning to make public comments about the cooperative and bipartisan appointment process.

The media availability will take place on Tuesday December 12, 2006, at 11:00 a.m., in Room 221, Senate Office Building.

"President Pruitt set out to create a committee structure that would result in a fair and open process, one in which every member has an opportunity to shine," said Senator Carlton. "I believe he has set the stage for a productive two years."

"Every Senator represents thousands of Floridians who want their voices heard in government," said Senator Webster. "Our goal was to ensure that Senators had a position of influence so they could make a difference for the communities they represent."

"I'm grateful to President Pruitt and his team for carrying on the Senate tradition of working together in a bipartisan fashion," said Senator Geller. "He's given the Democratic leadership an unparalleled opportunity in shaping our state's future by participating in the committee assignments and vice-chair positions. Heeding the voters' instructions, both parties are committed to working together for the common good; a cooperation I hope and trust will continue through Session."

"I want to thank Senator Webster, Senator Carlton, and Senator Geller for their work on these assignments," said President Pruitt. "We now move forward from a time of organizing to the important task of governing. Florida is facing serious challenges - and I know that together we will find relief for our families."

Senate Committee Assignments - By Member

Senator JD Alexander

Banking and Insurance
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
General Government Appropriations - Chair
Ethics and Elections
Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight
Rules
Agriculture - Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Health Regulation
Joint Legislative Budget Commission

Senator Nancy Argenziano

Regulated Industries
Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
Criminal Justice - Chair
Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee
Governmental Operations
Health Policy

Senator Dave Aronberg

Regulated Industries
General Government Appropriations
Criminal Justice - Vice Chair
Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee
Joint Committee on Public Service Commission Oversight
Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight - Chair
Oversight and Procedural Policy and Calendar Committee
Communications and Public Utilities - Vice Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Health Regulation

Senator Jeff Atwater

Banking and Insurance
Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee - Chair
Finance and Tax
Ethics and Elections
Rules
Communications and Public Utilities
Health Regulation - Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Carey Baker

Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Transportation - Chair
General Government Appropriations
Judiciary
Joint Committee on Public Service Commission Oversight
Communications and Public Utilities
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Senator Mike Bennett

Banking and Insurance
General Government Appropriations
Criminal Justice
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee - Chair
Joint Committee on Public Service Commission Oversight - Chair
Oversight and Procedural Policy and Calendar Committee
Rules
Communications and Public Utilities - Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Higher Education

Senator Larcenia Bullard

Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Transportation - Vice Chair
Education Pre K - 12 Appropriations
Military Affairs and Domestic Security
Rules
Agriculture - Vice Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Education Pre K - 12

Senator Lisa Carlton

Education Facilities Appropriations
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee - Chair
Agriculture
Education Pre K - 12
Joint Legislative Budget Commission

Senator Lee Constantine

Transportation
Education Pre K - 12 Appropriations
Ethics and Elections - Chair
Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee
Joint Committee on Public Service Commission Oversight
Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight
Rules
Communications and Public Utilities
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee - Chair
Higher Education

Senator Victor Crist

Commerce
Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations - Chair
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Criminal Justice
Rules
Community Affairs
Health Policy - Vice Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Mandy Dawson

Banking and Insurance
Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
Criminal Justice
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
Community Affairs
Health Policy - Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Ted Deutch

Banking and Insurance - Vice Chair
Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Finance and Tax - Vice Chair
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Judiciary
Rules
Agriculture
Education Pre K - 12

Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla

Commerce - Chair
Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
Judiciary
Joint Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Agriculture
Education Pre K - 12

Senator Paula Dockery

Transportation
Education Pre K - 12 Appropriations
Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee - Chair
Military Affairs and Domestic Security - Chair
Joint Committee on Public Service Commission Oversight
Rules
Environmental Preservation and Conservation
Health Policy

Senator Mike Fasano

Regulated Industries
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations - Chair
Judiciary
Rules
Communications and Public Utilities
Health Regulation
Joint Legislative Budget Commission

Senator Don Gaetz

Banking and Insurance
Health and Human Services Appropriations
Judiciary
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
Environmental Preservation and Conservation
Education Pre K - 12 - Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Rudy Garcia

Commerce
Education Pre K - 12 Appropriations
Military Affairs and Domestic Security
Rules
Community Affairs - Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Health Policy
Joint Legislative Budget Commission - Chair

Senator Steve Geller - Minority/Democratic Leader

Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Regulated Industries - Vice Chair
Education Facilities Appropriations - Vice Chair
Finance and Tax
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Judiciary
Rules
Community Affairs
Joint Legislative Budget Commission

Senator Mike Haridopolos

Regulated Industries
Finance and Tax - Chair
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Military Affairs and Domestic Security
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee
Rules
Community Affairs
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Senator Tony Hill

Regulated Industries
Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee
Military Affairs and Domestic Security - Vice Chair
Joint Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations - Chair
Oversight and Procedural Policy and Calendar Committee
Community Affairs - Vice Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Senator Dennis Jones

Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Regulated Industries - Chair
General Government Appropriations
Ethics and Elections
Rules
Environmental Preservation and Conservation
Health Regulation

Senator Arthenia Joyner

Transportation
Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations - Vice Chair
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Judiciary - Vice Chair
Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee
Rules
Communications and Public Utilities
Health Policy

Senator Charlie Justice

Commerce - Vice Chair
Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Higher Education Appropriations
Ethics and Elections - Vice Chair
Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee
Joint Committee on Public Service Commission Oversight
Rules
Environmental Preservation and Conservation
Higher Education

Senator Jim King

Regulated Industries
Education Facilities Appropriations - Chair
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Higher Education Appropriations
Criminal Justice
Oversight and Procedural Policy and Calendar Committee - Chair
Rules - Chair
Governmental Operations
Higher Education

Senator Al Lawson

Banking and Insurance
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
General Government Appropriations - Vice Chair
Military Affairs and Domestic Security
Rules
Governmental Operations - Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Health Regulation

Senator Evelyn Lynn

Commerce
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Higher Education Appropriations - Chair
Criminal Justice
Rules
Communications and Public Utilities
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Senator Gwen Margolis

Transportation
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations - Vice Chair
Ethics and Elections
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee - Chair
Oversight and Procedural Policy and Calendar Committee
Communications and Public Utilities
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs - Vice Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee
Joint Legislative Budget Commission

Senator Steve Oelrich

Commerce
Higher Education Appropriations
Ethics and Elections
Joint Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Governmental Operations
Higher Education - Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Durell Peaden

Banking and Insurance
Education Facilities Appropriations
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Health and Human Services Appropriations - Chair
Military Affairs and Domestic Security
Agriculture
Health Regulation

Senator Bill Posey

Banking and Insurance - Chair
Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Ethics and Elections
Rules
Governmental Operations - Vice Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Nan Rich

Regulated Industries
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Health and Human Services Appropriations - Vice Chair
Ethics and Elections
Rules
Environmental Preservation and Conservation - Vice Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Senator Jeremy Ring

Commerce
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Higher Education Appropriations - Vice Chair
Judiciary
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee
Agriculture
Higher Education - Vice Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Burt Saunders

Commerce
Health and Human Services Appropriations
Judiciary
Rules
Environmental Preservation and Conservation - Chair
Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Health Policy
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee - Chair

Senator Gary Siplin

Commerce
Education Pre K - 12 Appropriations - Vice Chair
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Military Affairs and Domestic Security
Joint Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Community Affairs
Health Regulation - Vice Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Ronda Storms

Banking and Insurance
Finance and Tax
Military Affairs and Domestic Security
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee
Community Affairs
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs - Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Alex Villalobos

Transportation
Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
Judiciary - Chair
Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee
Community Affairs
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Senator Daniel Webster - Majority/Republican Leader

Transportation
Education Facilities Appropriations
Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
Judiciary

Senator Frederica Wilson

Banking and Insurance
Health and Human Services Appropriations
Criminal Justice
Oversight and Procedural Policy and Calendar Committee
Rules - Vice Chair
Governmental Operations
Education Pre K - 12 - Vice Chair
Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee

Senator Stephen Wise

Regulated Industries
Education Pre K - 12 Appropriations - Chair
Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Criminal Justice
Joint Legislative Auditing Committee
Rules
Community Affairs
Education Pre K - 12
Joint Legislative Budget Commission

Senate Committee Assignments - By Committee

GROUP I


Economic Opportunities Policy and Calendar Committee
Jeffrey Atwater, Chair
Carey Baker
Larcenia Bullard
Ted Deutch
Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Steve Geller
Dennis Jones
Charlie Justice
Bill Posey

Commerce
Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Chair
Charlie Justice, Vice Chair
Victor Crist
Rudy Garcia
Evelyn Lynn
Steve Oelrich
Jeremy Ring
Burt Saunders
Gary Siplin

Regulated Industries
Dennis Jones, Chair
Steve Geller, Vice Chair
Nancy Argenziano
Dave Aronberg
Mike Fasano
Mike Haridopolos
Anthony Hill
Jim King
Nan Rich
Stephen Wise

Transportation
Carey Baker, Chair
Larcenia Bullard, Vice Chair
Lee Constantine
Paula Dockery
Arthenia Joyner
Gwen Margolis
Alex Villalobos
Daniel Webster

GROUP II

Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee
Lisa Carlton, Chair
JD Alexander
Victor Crist
Ted Deutch
Mike Fasano
Steve Geller
Mike Haridopolos
Arthenia Joyner
Jim King
Al Lawson
Evelyn Lynn
Gwen Margolis
Durell Peaden
Nan Rich
Jeremy Ring
Gary Siplin
Stephen Wise

Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
Victor Crist, Chair
Arthenia Joyner, Vice Chair
Nancy Argenziano
Mandy Dawson
Alex Villalobos

Education Facilities Appropriations
Jim King, Chair
Steve Geller, Vice Chair
Lisa Carlton
Durell Peaden
Daniel Webster

Education Pre K - 12 Appropriations
Stephen Wise, Chair
Gary Siplin, Vice Chair
Larcenia Bullard
Lee Constantine
Paula Dockery
Rudy Garcia

Finance and Tax
Mike Haridopolos, Chair
Ted Deutch, Vice Chair
Jeffrey Atwater
Steve Geller
Ronda Storms

General Government Appropriations
JD Alexander, Chair
Al Lawson, Vice Chair
Dave Aronberg
Carey Baker
Michael Bennett
Dennis Jones

Health and Human Services Appropriations
Durell Peaden, Chair
Nan Rich, Vice Chair
Don Gaetz
Burt Saunders
Frederica Wilson

Higher Education Appropriations
Evelyn Lynn, Chair
Jeremy Ring, Vice Chair
Charlie Justice
Jim King
Steve Oelrich

Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
Mike Fasano, Chair
Gwen Margolis, Vice Chair
Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Anthony Hill
Daniel Webster

GROUP III

Law and Justice Policy and Calendar Committee
Paula Dockery, Chair
Nancy Argenziano
Dave Aronberg
Lee Constantine
Anthony Hill
Arthenia Joyner
Charlie Justice
Alex Villalobos

Criminal Justice
Nancy Argenziano, Chair
Dave Aronberg, Vice Chair
Michael Bennett
Victor Crist
Mandy Dawson
Jim King
Evelyn Lynn
Frederica Wilson
Stephen Wise

Ethics and Elections
Lee Constantine, Chair
Charlie Justice, Vice Chair
JD Alexander
Jeffrey Atwater
Dennis Jones
Gwen Margolis
Steve Oelrich
Bill Posey
Nan Rich

Judiciary
Alex Villalobos, Chair
Arthenia Joyner, Vice Chair
Carey Baker
Ted Deutch
Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Mike Fasano
Don Gaetz
Steve Geller
Jeremy Ring
Burt Saunders
Daniel Webster

Military Affairs and Domestic Security
Paula Dockery, Chair
Anthony Hill, Vice Chair
Larcenia Bullard
Rudy Garcia
Mike Haridopolos
Al Lawson
Durell Peaden
Gary Siplin
Ronda Storms

GROUP IV

Oversight and Procedural Policy and Calendar Committee
Jim King, Chair
Dave Aronberg
Michael Bennett
Anthony Hill
Gwen Margolis
Frederica Wilson

Rules
Jim King, Chair
Frederica Wilson, Vice Chair
JD Alexander
Jeffrey Atwater
Michael Bennett
Larcenia Bullard
Lee Constantine
Victor Crist
Ted Deutch
Paula Dockery
Mike Fasano
Rudy Garcia
Steve Geller
Mike Haridopolos
Dennis Jones
Arthenia Joyner
Charlie Justice
Al Lawson
Evelyn Lynn
Bill Posey
Nan Rich
Burt Saunders
Stephen Wise

Joint Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations

Anthony Hill, Chair
Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Steve Oelrich
Gary Siplin

Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
Michael Bennett, Chair
Mandy Dawson
Don Gaetz

Joint Legislative Auditing Committee
Gwen Margolis, Chair
Mike Haridopolos
Jeremy Ring
Ronda Storms
Stephen Wise

Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight
Dave Aronberg, Chair
JD Alexander
Lee Constantine

Joint Committee on Public Service Commission Oversight
Michael Bennett, Chair
Dave Aronberg
Carey Baker
Lee Constantine
Paula Dockery
Charlie Justice

GROUP V

Responsible Regulation Policy and Calendar Committee
Lee Constantine, Chair
JD Alexander
Dave Aronberg
Michael Bennett
Larcenia Bullard
Rudy Garcia
Anthony Hill
Al Lawson
Bill Posey
Nan Rich
Burt Saunders

Agriculture
JD Alexander, Chair
Larcenia Bullard, Vice Chair
Lisa Carlton
Ted Deutch
Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Durell Peaden
Jeremy Ring

Environmental Preservation and Conservation
Burt Saunders, Chair
Nan Rich, Vice Chair
Paula Dockery
Don Gaetz
Dennis Jones
Charlie Justice

Community Affairs
Rudy Garcia, Chair
Anthony Hill, Vice Chair
Victor Crist
Mandy Dawson
Steve Geller
Mike Haridopolos
Gary Siplin
Ronda Storms
Alex Villalobos
Stephen Wise

Communications and Public Utilities
Michael Bennett, Chair
Dave Aronberg, Vice Chair
Jeffrey Atwater
Carey Baker
Lee Constantine
Mike Fasano
Arthenia Joyner
Evelyn Lynn
Gwen Margolis

Governmental Operations
Al Lawson, Chair
Bill Posey, Vice Chair
Nancy Argenziano
Jim King
Steve Oelrich
Frederica Wilson

GROUP VI

Social Responsibility Policy and Calendar Committee
Burt Saunders, Chair
Jeffrey Atwater
Victor Crist
Mandy Dawson
Don Gaetz
Gwen Margolis
Steve Oelrich
Jeremy Ring
Gary Siplin
Ronda Storms
Frederica Wilson

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Ronda Storms, Chair
Gwen Margolis, Vice Chair
Carey Baker
Mike Haridopolos
Anthony Hill
Evelyn Lynn
Nan Rich
Alex Villalobos

Education Pre K - 12
Don Gaetz, Chair
Frederica Wilson, Vice Chair
Larcenia Bullard
Lisa Carlton
Ted Deutch
Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Stephen Wise

Health Policy
Mandy Dawson, Chair
Victor Crist, Vice Chair
Nancy Argenziano
Paula Dockery
Rudy Garcia
Arthenia Joyner
Burt Saunders

Health Regulation
Jeffrey Atwater, Chair
Gary Siplin, Vice Chair
JD Alexander
Dave Aronberg
Mike Fasano
Dennis Jones
Al Lawson
Durell Peaden

Higher Education
Steve Oelrich, Chair
Jeremy Ring, Vice Chair
Michael Bennett
Lee Constantine
Charlie Justice
Jim King

GROUP VII

Joint Legislative Budget Commission
Rudy Garcia, Chair
JD Alexander
Lisa Carlton
Mike Fasano
Steve Geller
Gwen Margolis
Stephen Wise

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