Arkansas House makes committee assignments

The Arkansas House of Representatives met for its organizational meeting today, with committee assignments set for new and returning members.

There are 43 new members in the 100-member House, which saw Republicans make unprecedented gains. The partisan balance of power in the House heading into the 2011 session is 56 Democrats and 44 Republicans.

Of the nine House members who represent all or portions of the Fort Smith area, five are new members, with State Sen. Denny Altes returning to the House after serving two terms there in 1999 and 2001.

Republicans picked up big numbers in the House Transportation and House Revenue and Tax committees. The GOP garnered 11 members on Transportation and 12 members on the 20-member Tax committee.

Two former highway commissioners — Rep. Jonathan Barnett of Siloam Springs and Rep.-elect Prissy Hickerson of Texarkana — are on the Public Transportation panel. Democrats have a healthy advantage on the State Agencies Committee with 12 members. State Agencies will be influential in redrawing legislative districts after this year’s U.S. Census.



Incoming Speaker of the House Robert Moore will name committee chairs when the 88th General Assembly convenes in January.

Following are the committee assignments for Fort Smith area legislators.
• Rep. Terry Rice (R) — District 62
Judiciary
Insurance & Commerce

• Rep.-elect Denny Altes (R) — District 63
Public Transportation
City County & Local Affairs

• Rep. Stephanie Malone (R) — District 64
Public Health, Welfare & Labor
Aging, Children and Young, Legislative & Military Affairs

• Rep. Tracy Pennartz (D) — District 65
Public Health, Welfare & Labor
State Agencies & Governmental Affairs

• Rep.-elect Gary Deffenbaugh (R) — District 66
Judiciary
Aging, Children and Young, Legislative & Military Affairs

• Rep.-elect Gary Stubblefield (R) — District 67
Public Transportation
Aging, Children and Young, Legislative & Military Affairs

• Rep.-elect Leslee Post (D) — District 83
Public Transportation
City County & Local Affairs

• Rep.-elect Jon Eubanks (R) — District 84
Judiciary
City County & Local Affairs

• Rep.-elect Justin Harris (R) — District 87
Revenue & Taxation
Aging, Children and Young, Legislative & Military Affairs

Link here for the complete list of committee assignments.