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The Kentucky General Assembly convened the 2009 regular session on Tuesday of this week. This odd-year session started as most do with the legislature going into an organizational session for each chamber to elect their leadership and assemble the committee structure.

In the House, this week has brought significant change in the legislative leadership and the committee structure. On Tuesday, the House Democrats caucused to elect their leaders and they voted to unseat Jody Richards, who served as speaker for the last 14 years, and make Greg Stumbo the new Speaker of the House. Down the ticket there were other changes as well, Rep. John Will Stacy was elected as Majority Whip to fill a vacant leadership post from Rep. Wilkey’s retirement; and Rep. Bob Damron was elected to replace Rep. Charlie Hoffman as Caucus Chairman.

Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark held off a challenge to keep his leadership post and Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins was unopposed in the leadership elections.

The House Republicans also elected leadership this week, and Rep. David Floyd beat out Rep. Stan Lee to become the new Minority Whip. Minority Floor Leader Jeff Hoover and Minority Caucus Chairman Bob DeWeese were unopposed and will continue as House Republican leaders.

The massive changes that have resulted in this week’s House Leadership changes were not totally unexpected. In the 2008 Session the leadership had a very difficult time working together on the major issues of the session. It wasn’t long after the session the many legislators made their intention public to run against the previous leadership.

Looking at the effects of the changes in the House a few themes can be drawn: the pendulum has swung to the East; a new budget process; and massive committee changes.

The new House Democrat Leadership has three members that are from Eastern KY: Speaker Stumbo, Majority Floor Leader Adkins, and Majority Whip Stacy, and no members from Western KY. Which is a departure from leadership teams over the past few sessions that had more regional balance. This is likely to create a heavier load for Larry Clark and Bob Damron when it comes to bringing projects and resources back to Central Kentucky and Louisville.

There were massive changes to the committee system in the House with 9 new Chairmen and more changes in member’s committee assignments than you could count. Some key committees that we deal with regularly will have new leadership this cycle including Appropriations and Revenue and its subcommittees, License and Occupations, Banking & Insurance and Labor and Industry. Although leadership will always have the final say, committee chairs exercise a great deal of control over when most legislation is considered and in particular “routine” legislation.

Appropriations and Revenue The new leadership removed long time Chairman Harry Moberly from Richmond. Moberly is replaced by Rep. Rick Rand from Oldham County. Rep. Rand has served three terms in the House and one term in the Senate. He is a quick study, full of energy and will be a consensus builder on major issues. He will include his committee members in key decisions and should be an asset to the leadership team.

A&R Sub-committees These subcommittees are appointed to review agency budget requests and help put together the budget for these broad categories like General Government, Transportation, Human Resources, Judiciary and Education. One change this session is they have split education into Higher and Secondary creating a new sub-committee and have two new chairs Rep. Thompson and Rep. Simpson. BR on Transportation received a new chair, Rep Sannie Overly of Paris. The committee is a key for us since they will develop the state’s six year plan and consider funding on such issues as the Bridges in Louisville and other “mega projects”.

Banking & Insurance Will be chaired by Rep. Jeff Greer an insurance agent from Meade County. The former Chairman Rep. Tommy Thompson has taken a seat on A&R and Chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on K-12 Education. Rep. Greer has a good grasp of the insurance issues that will come brfore the committee and will rely on expertise from other members like Rep. Denham on banking issues.

Education The former Education Committee Chairman Frank Rasche retired from the legislature this summer leaving the Education Chair vacant going into the organizational session. The new Chair will be Rep. Carl Rollins from Central Kentucky.

Judiciary Rep. John Tilley an attorney from Hopkinsville takes over the reigns of the Judiciary Committee from now Sen. Kathy Stein who left the House to run for the Senate and won this past November. Rep. Tilley is a nice guy that will be very approachable on issues.

Labor & Indurstry Rep. Rick Nelson will be the new Chair of this committee. Rep. Nelson works for the Bell County Board of Education in Southeast Kentucky. This committee has jurisdiction over employment and workers comp issues that are very important to business.

License and Occupations This committee will be chaired by Rep. Dennis Keene from Northern Kentucky. L&O is the committee of jurisdiction for all alcohol issues and business profession and regulatory issues. The committee has also heard the gaming legislation the past two sessions. Keene is a close ally of Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark of Louisville. The previous Chair was Rep. Joni Jenkins of Louisville who opposed Rep. Clark in the Speaker Pro Tem race.

Much of the attention this week was on the House and its many changes, and as expected there was very little change in the Senate’s Legislative Leaders. The only change was that Senator Jerry Rhoads was elected Senate Minority Whip a post previously held by Sen. Joey Pendleton. There was no change in the Senate Republican leadership.

The most noteworthy change in Senate Chairs was in the Transportation Committee and the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.

Transportation Senator Ernie Harris of Oldham County will replace Brett Guthrie who was elected to Congress. The Senate Transportation Committee is the Senate’s budget arm for the road fund and he state’s six year transportation plan.

Agriculture & Natural Resources This committee has been split into two committees the Agriculture Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. The Agriculture Committee will be chaired by freshman legislator Sen. David Givens. The Natural Resources Committee will continue to be chaired by Sen. Tom Jensen.

You can see a full list of the Senate Committee Chairmen and Committee Assignments by clicking on this link: Click Here