As released by the Pa House Republican Caucus.

1/5/2015 HARRISBURG – Speaker-Designate Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County) today announced the appointments of both Republican and Democratic committee chairmen for the 2015-16 Legislative Session, which begins Jan. 6.

House committees study each bill and determine which proposals will go to the full House. They conduct public hearings on key issues, allowing citizens and interested groups to have a say in the legislative process, and they serve as a resource for members and others.

“These House committees will tackle the serious issues facing Pennsylvania and, through public hearings and meetings, vet those issues and proposed solutions with the public,” Turzai said. “These men and women of both caucuses will lead the way in preparing legislation for the full House to consider.”

Committees are outlined in the House Rules that are enacted for each session.

Turzai made the following appointments, which are unofficial until announced on the House floor:

Aging and Older Adult Services: • Republican: Rep. Tim Hennessey, 26th Legislative District, Chester and Montgomery counties.

• Democrat: Rep. Steve Samuelson, 135th Legislative District, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs: • Republican: Rep. Martin Causer, 67th Legislative District, Cameron, Potter and McKean counties.

• Democrat: Rep. John P. Sabatina, 174th Legislative District, Philadelphia.

Children and Youth: • Republican: Rep. Kathy Watson, 144th Legislative District, Bucks County.

• Democrat: Rep. Louise Bishop, 192nd Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Commerce: • Republican: Rep. Adam Harris, 82nd Legislative District, Franklin, Juniata and Mifflin counties.

• Democrat: Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, 181st Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Consumer Affairs: • Republican: Rep. Robert Godshall, 53rd Legislative District, Montgomery County.

• Democrat: Rep. Peter J. Daley, 49th Legislative District, Fayette and Washington counties.

Education: • Republican: Rep. Stan Saylor, 94th Legislative District, York County.

• Democrat: Rep. James Roebuck, 188th Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Environmental Resources and Energy: • Republican: Rep. John Maher, 40th Legislative District, Allegheny and Washington counties.

• Democrat: Rep. Greg Vitali, 166th Legislative District, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

Finance: • Republican: Rep. Bernie O’Neill, 29th Legislative District, Bucks County.

• Democrat: Rep. Jake Wheatley, 19th Legislative District, Allegheny County.

Game and Fisheries: • Republican: Rep. Keith Gillespie, 47th Legislative District, York County.

• Democrat: Rep. Ted Harhai, 58th Legislative District, Westmoreland County.

Gaming Oversight: • Republican: Rep. John Payne, 106th Legislative District, Dauphin County.

• Democrat: Rep. Nick Kotik, 45th District, Allegheny County.

Health: • Republican: Rep. Matt Baker, 68th Legislative District, Bradford, Potter and Tioga counties.

• Democrat: Rep. Florindo (Flo) Fabrizio, 2nd Legislative District, Erie County.

Human Services: • Republican: Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, 18th Legislative District, Bucks County.

• Democrat: Rep. Angel Cruz, 180th Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Insurance: • Republican: Rep. Tina Pickett, 110th Legislative District, Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna counties. • Democrat: Rep. Tony DeLuca, 32nd Legislative District, Allegheny County.

Judiciary: • Republican: Rep. Ron Marsico, 105th Legislative District, Dauphin County.

• Democrat: Rep. Joseph A. Petrarca, 55th Legislative District, Armstrong, Indiana and Westmoreland counties.

Labor and Industry: • Republican: Rep. Mauree Gingrich, 101st Legislative District, Lebanon County.

• Democrat: Rep. Marc J. Gergely, 35th Legislative District, Allegheny County.

Liquor Control: • Republican: Rep. Chris Ross, 158th Legislative District, Chester County.

• Democrat: Rep. Paul Costa, 34th Legislative District, Allegheny County.

Local Government: • Republican: Rep. Kate Harper, 61st Legislative District, Montgomery County.

• Democrat: Rep. Bob Freeman, 136th Legislative District, Northampton County.

Professional Licensure: • Republican: Rep. Julie Harhart, 183rd Legislative District, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

• Democrat: Rep. Harry Readshaw, 36th Legislative District, Allegheny County.

State Government: • Republican: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, 12th Legislative District, Butler County.

• Democrat: Rep. Mark Cohen, 202nd Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Tourism and Recreational Development: • Republican: Rep. Dave Hickernell, 98th Legislative District, Lancaster and Dauphin counties

• Democrat: Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, 159th Legislative District, Delaware County.

Transportation: • Republican: Rep. John Taylor, 177th Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

• Democrat: Rep. William F. Keller, 184th Legislative District, Philadelphia.

Urban Affairs: • Republican: Rep. Scott Petri, 178th Legislative District, Bucks County.

• Democrat: Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone, 127th Legislative District, Berks County

Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness: • Republican: Rep. Stephen E. Barrar, 160th Legislative District, Chester and Delaware counties.

• Democrat: Rep. Christopher Sainato, 9th Legislative District, Lawrence County.

Photo/Natalie Cake file 2012.