Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives Ray Merrick (R-Stillwell) on Wednesday announced new committee chairs and vice chairs to fill vacancies prior to the legislative session beginning Jan. 13, 2014.
"You don't normally see this amount of turnover mid-term but I am lucky to have exceptional House members," said Speaker Merrick. "While the decisions were not easy, I am confident that the new appointees will bring a high level of enthusiasm and fresh ideas to the job. I look forward to working with all of them."
The new appointments are as follows:
Representative Steve Brunk (R-Wichita) - Federal and State Affairs Chairman
Representative Ron Ryckman Jr. (R-Olathe) - Social Services Budget Chairman
Representative Travis Couture-Lovelady (R-Palco) - Federal and State Affairs Vice Chairman
Representative Susan Concannon (R-Beloit) - Health and Human Services Vice Chairman
Representative Mark Hutton (R-Wichita) - Insurance Vice Chairman
Representative James Todd (R-Overland Park) - Special Claims Against the State Vice Chairman