Arizona Legislature Announces Leadership Teams, Committee Assignments

Earlier this month, the Legislature elected its leadership teams. While many leaders are staying the same from the 54^th Legislature, there are some fresh faces as well. On the House side, Rep. Rusty Bowers, (LD25) was re-elected Speaker by the majority. His leadership team includes Rep. Ben Toma (LD22) as Majority Leader, and Rep. Leo Biasiucci (LD5) as Majority Whip. Speaker Bowers appointed Rep. Travis Grantham (LD12) as Speaker Pro Tempore. Democrats elected a new slate, including Majority Leader Reginald Bolding (LD27), Assistant Leader Jennifer Longdon (LD24), and Rep. Domingo DeGrazia as Minority Whip (LD10).

In the Senate, Senator Karen Fann (LD1) was re-elected President of the Senate. Her team includes Sen. Rick Gray (LD21) as Majority Leader and Sen. Sonny Borrelli (LD5) as Majority Whip. Democrats elected Sen. Rebecca Rios (LD27) as Minority Leader, Sen. Lupe Contreras (LD19) as Assistant Minority Leader, and co-whips—Sen. Martin Quezada (LD29) and Sen. Victoria Steele (LD9).

Last week, Speaker Rusty Bowers and President Karen Fann announced the Chairs for the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session. The House Minority Leader Rep. Reginald Bolding also announced Committee assignments for his caucus. On the Senate side, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will be chaired by former House Chair Nancy Barto (LD15). Her Vice-Chair will be Senator Tyler Pace (LD25). The official announcement is available here.

On the House side, we will have a new Committee Chair in Rep. Joanne Osborne (LD13). Her Vice Chair will be Rep. Regina Cobb (LD5), who Chairs the Appropriations Committee and is a dentist in her private life. The Majority also assigned three freshman legislators to the Committee: Rep. Justin Wilmeth (LD15), Rep. Jacqueline Parker (LD16), and Rep. Joseph Chaplik (LD23). For the Minority, the Ranking Member will be Rep. Kelli Butler (LD28). She will be joined by Rep. Randy Friese, M.D. (LD9), Rep. Amish Shah, M.D. (LD24), and Rep. Alma Hernandez, MPH (LD3).

You can find the Republican House announcement here. The Democratic House announcement is here.

When the 2021 Legislative Session commences early next year, it appears as though the balance of power in the House will remain the same, with 31 Republicans and 29 Democrats in office. The Arizona Senate will become more evenly split as Democrats gain a seat, with 16 Republicans and 14 Democrats rounding out that chamber.