Today, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, announced updated committee assignments as a result of Senator Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, stepping down as chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Senator Jake Chapman, R-Adel, will chair the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

“I want to thank Senator Whitver for the opportunity to lead the tax writing committee in the Senate,” said Senator Chapman. “It is an important role that affects all Iowans. It is a privilege to lead this committee. I commend Senator Feenstra on his leadership and I look forward to working with him next year as we continue to reform income taxes and reduce some of the highest tax rates in the country.”

Senator Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, now chairs the Senate Commerce Committee.

“It is an honor to be appointed as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee by Senator Whitver and a privilege to represent my district in this capacity,” said Senator Dawson. “I look forward to working on legislation to decrease burdensome regulations in Iowa and ensure everyone from Council Bluffs and Carter Lake to Davenport has a job opportunity.”

Senator Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City, will serve as chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee,” said Senator Carlin. “The veterans living in our state have sacrificed so much to protect our nation. I look forward to passing legislation to support Iowa’s veterans and thank them for their service.”

“Senator Feenstra provided strong and principled leadership for the Ways and Means Committee for 3 years. I am thankful for his service to our caucus,” said Senator Whitver. “The depth of talent in the Senate Republican Caucus is on display once again. I have full confidence in Senators Chapman, Dawson and Carlin in their new roles to continue to implement a positive, pro-growth agenda for Iowa.”

Senator Julian Garrett will serve as the vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Ken Rozenboom will replace Senator Dawson on the Senate State Government Committee.

Updated committee compositions are below. All changes are effective immediately and other committee assignments are unchanged.

Ways and Means
Chapman, chair
Dawson, vice chair
Behn
Feenstra
Smith
Sweeney
Nunn
Edler
Schultz
Brown
Carlin

Commerce
Dawson, chair
Koelker, vice chair
Brown
Sinclair
Breitbach
Miller-Meeks
Feenstra
Johnson
Smith
Nunn
Chapman

Judiciary
Zaun, chair
Garrett, vice chair
Chapman
Nunn
Shipley
Sweeney
Schultz
Whiting
Sinclair
Dawson

State Government
Smith, chair
Johnson, vice chair
Chapman
Rozenboom
Feenstra
Schultz
Miller-Meeks
Whiting
Cournoyer
Zaun

Veterans Affairs
Carlin, chair
Miller-Meeks, vice chair
Koelker
Costello
Edler
Dawson
Lofgren