RICHMOND, VA – Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William J. Howell (R-Stafford) announced the Chairs of the House of Delegates Standing Committees on Tuesday, which includes the appointment of seven new committee chairs. As Speaker of the House, Howell is responsible for all appointments to standing committees.

Speaking about the appointments, Speaker Howell said, “While it is customary practice to announce committee appointments on the first day of session, I felt it was important to announce my decisions for committee chairs earlier this year due to the extraordinary turnover. We have seven new chairs who need to begin their work immediately. All of these members are important leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates who will be critical to the work we do this year. Let me be the first to congratulate them on their appointment and thank them for their service, dedication and hard work.”

(Asterisk denotes new appointment)

• *Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources: Chairman Ed Scott
• *Appropriations: Chairman Chris Jones
• *Education: Chairman Steve Landes
• *Finance: Chairman Lee Ware
• *General Laws: Chairman Todd Gilbert
• *Science & Technology: Chairwoman Barbara Comstock
• *Transportation: Chairman Tom Rust
• Commerce & Labor: Chairman Terry Kilgore
• Courts of Justice: Chairman Dave Albo
• Counties, Cities and Towns: Chairman Riley Ingram
• Health, Welfare & Institutions: Chairman Bobby Orrock
• Militia, Police & Public Safety: Chairman Scott Lingamfelter
• Privileges & Elections: Chairman Mark Cole

Committee assignments for all members will be announced on January 8, 2014.