State Senate committees set; Ellis County's senators on 9 of 16

The 89^th legislature kicked off Tuesday, Jan. 14, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick already announcing the state Senate committees. Ellis County is well represented amongst those bodies, as it is currently divided between two state senatorial districts.

Sen. Brian Birdwell’s district comprises a large part of the county’s western side, while Sen. Bob Hall’s district has primarily the eastern half.

State Sen. Brian Birdwell

Birdwell, R-Granbury, has served Senate District 22 (and all or at least part of Ellis County) since 2010. His committee assignments for the 89^th Legislature include:

• chair of Border Security (a continuance from the 88^th Legislature’s assignment)

• chair of Natural Resources (continuing)

• member of Nominations (new assignment)

• member of State Affairs (continuing)

• member of Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs (new)

In the 88^th Legislature, the Natural Resources Committee also included Economic Development, but that area has been broken off into a standalone committee for the 89^th Legislature.

Birdwell also had served on the Senate Committee on Education during the 88^th Legislature. While no longer a member there, he has picked up a new assignment on the Committee on Nominations.

State Sen. Bob Hall

Hall, R-Rockwall, has served Senate District 2 (and at least part of Ellis County) since 2015.

His committee assignments for the 89^th Legislature include:

• chair of Administration (continuing from the 88^th Legislature)

• member of Finance (continuing)

• member of Health and Human Services (continuing)

• member of State Affairs (new assignment)

• member of Veterans Affairs (continuing)

During the 88^th Legislature, Hall’s assignments included the Senate Committee on Local Government. He is no longer assigned there, but did pick up a new assignment to the Committee on State Affairs.

The Senate totals 16 standing committees for the 89^th Legislature with the creation of the Committee on Economic Development; the 88^th Legislature fielded 15 committees.

Ellis County’s split between two senators provides it a presence on nine of the 89^th Legislature’s committees (including their both being seated on the Committee on State Affairs). The seven committees where neither Birdwell nor Hall are members are:

• Business and Commerce

• Criminal Justice

• Economic Development

• Education K-16

• Jurisprudence

• Local Government

• Transportation

Texas House

The state House of Representatives, which just elected Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, as speaker during a contested race, typically organizes later than the Senate. It is set to vote on its rules for the 89^th Legislature next week, with committee assignments expected sometime after that. Ellis County, as a whole, is served by state Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian.

Written by Jo Ann Livingston/ITKE.