Blogs

Photo credit: The Sacramento Bee

Speaker Rivas wasted no time in making his mark on the Assembly as he announced a series of changes to the Assembly leadership and committee assignments on July 3. These changes are customary when a new speaker assumes control.

Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry has been appointed as the new Speaker pro Tempore, while Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen will serve as the Assistant Speaker pro Tempore. Assembly Member Isaac Bryan will take on the role of Majority Leader with Assembly Member Gregg Hart as Assistant Majority Leader. Assembly Member Diane Papan has been assigned as the Assistant Majority Leader on Policy and Research, while Assembly Member Lori Wilson will serve as Majority Whip and Assembly Members Matt Haney and Josh Lowenthal will serve as Assistant Majority Whips. Assembly Member Rick Chavez Zbur has been appointed as the Democratic Caucus Chair.

The newly assigned committee chairs were announced as well. Assembly Member Esmeralda Soria will chair the Committee on Agriculture. Assembly Member Akilah Weber will lead the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services. Assembly Member Gail Pellerin has been assigned as the chair of the Assembly Committee on Elections while Assembly Member Juan Carrillo will head the Assembly Local Government Committee. Assembly Member Pilar Schiavo will chair the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Assembly Member Damon Connolly will take charge of the Joint Committee on Fairs Allocation and Classification. Furthermore, Speaker Rivas has made adjustments to committee memberships.

These changes reflect Speaker Rivas’ vision for the Assembly’s leadership and committee structure, aligning positions with individuals who have shown support and expertise in their respective areas. As the Assembly gears up for the final push of this legislative year the new leadership and committee assignments are poised to shape the direction of the Legislature.