Senate President Joe Negron announced his Senate leadership team and committee chair assignments Tuesday afternoon, putting a variety of lawmakers at the helm of committees to pass legislation during the 2017 legislative session.
The Stuart Republican named Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, as Senate Majority Leader for the 2016-2018 legislative term.
Simpson, who has served as a state senator since 2012, is in line to become Senate President in four years after Sen. Bill Galvano’s anticipated term which is scheduled to begin in 2019.
Negron praised Simpson as a “conservative leader,” noting his success in the private sector as an asset to his legislative experience.
“[His] tremendous success in the private sector serves as a foundation for his belief in limited government and the supremacy of the individual, values many Senators on both sides of the political aisle share,” said Negron Monday. “Over the last four years, Wilton has gained the confidence of his colleagues in matters both large and small.”
Negron also named the chairs of committees, sending Sen. Jack Latvala to head the Appropriations Committee.
Latvala and Negron went head-to-head for the spot of Senate president, with Negron winning the job. This role, however, still puts Latvala’s name in the spotlight as one of the most powerful lawmakers in the Florida Legislature.
One of the most notable positions went to Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, who will now head the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla previously chaired the committee, but lost his reelection bid earlier this month.
Steube’s appointment is notable because it is now incredibly possible campus carry will see the light of day in the Florida Senate. Last year, the legislation to legalize concealed weapons on college campuses died as a result of DLP refusing to schedule a hearing for the bill, which then never came to fruition -- much to the chagrin of Second Amendment supporters.
Steube himself was a backer of the campus carry legislation in the Florida House -- should the proposal come up for another showing in the Florida Legislature this year, it would be in a much better position to get a hearing and move through the Capitol.
Education chairs for both committees and subcommittees changed hands this year, with the chairman position going to Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange. Altamonte Springs Republican David Simmons will chair the Senate Subcommittee on K-12 Education.
Democrats also got a few coveted positions. New Sen. Lauren Book will chair the Environmental Preservation and Conservation committee and Sen. Randolph Bracy will chair the Senate Criminal Justice committee.
Chair appointments are as follows:
-- Agriculture: Keith Perry, R-Gainesville
-- Appropriations: Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater
-- Banking and Insurance: Anitere Flores, R-Miami
-- Children, Families and Elder Affairs: René García, R-Hialeah
-- Commerce and Tourism: Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee
-- Communications, Energy and Public Utilities: Frank Artiles, R-Miami
-- Criminal Justice: Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando
-- Education: Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange
-- Environmental Preservation and Conservation: Lauren Book, D-Plantation
-- Ethics and Elections: Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples
-- Community Affairs: Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa
-- Governmental Oversight and Accountability: Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala
-- Health Policy: Dana Young, R-Tampa
-- Judiciary: Greg Steube, R-Sarasota
-- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security: Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville
-- Regulated Industries: Travis Hutson, R-Elkton
-- Rules: Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers
-- Transportation: George Gainer, R-Panama City
Subcommittee appointments are as follows:
-- Appropriations, Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice: Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach
-- Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources: Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island
-- Appropriations, Subcommittee on Finance and Tax: Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland
-- Appropriations, Subcommittee on General Government: Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring
-- Appropriations, Subcommittee on Health and Human Services: Anitere Flores, R-Miami
-- Appropriations, Subcommittee on Higher Education: Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton
-- Appropriations, Subcommittee on Pre-K-12 Education: David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs
-- Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development: Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg
