Most House panels’ chiefs keep seats

This week, House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, reappointed most of the House committee chairmen for the past two years to their posts for the next two years.

The new chairmen are Rep. DeAnn Vaught, R-Horatio, who replaces former Rep. Dan Douglas, R-Bentonville, over the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, and Rep. Les Eaves, R-Searcy, who replaces former Rep. Sarah Capp, R-Ozark, over the House Rules Committee.

Shepherd, who has served as House speaker since 2018, said Tuesday that he has received relatively few negative comments about House chairmen.

“I felt like if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said. “I think it’s important to remember that we are in a period of transition because we are going from the old three-term, six-year term limits [in the House] … to the full 16 years [under Amendment 94 enacted in 2014], so particularly with some of the members that maybe have a little more … seniority, if you make a move here or there, you may be setting aside some of that experience.”

Shepherd’s reappointments:

■ Joint Budget co-chairman, Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia.

■ Public Health, Welfare and Labor, Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro.

■ Education, Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs.

■ Revenue and Taxation, Rep. Joe Jett, R-Success.

■ Judiciary, Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana.

■ State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, Rep. Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro.

■ Insurance and Commerce, Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle.

■ Public Transportation, Rep. Mike Holcomb, R-Pine Bluff.

■ City County and Local Affairs, Rep. Lanny Fite, R-Benton.

■ Joint Committee on Public Retirement and Social Security Programs, Rep. Les Warren, R-Hot Springs.

■ Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs, Rep. Charlene Fite, R-Van Buren.

■ House Management, Rep. Carlton Wing, R-North Little Rock.

■ Legislative Council co-chairman, Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage.

■ Legislative Joint Auditing Committee co-chairman, Rep. Richard Womack, R-Arkadelphia.

■ Joint Committee on Energy co-chairman, Rep. Rick Beck, R-Center Ridge.

■ Joint Performance Review Committee co-chairman, Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould.

■ Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology co-chairman, Rep. Stephen Meeks, R-Greenbrier.