Indiana House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis) announced committee assignments and leadership appointments for the Indiana House Republican Caucus. Committee chairmen and caucus leaders are selected biennially by the majority party after each election year.

“I am confident in the abilities of each of these leaders, and I know that they are each eager to begin their committee work and their leadership roles,” said Speaker Bosma.

Standing committees are an integral part of the legislative process. Committees with specific expertise receive public testimony and work out the details of proposed legislation before it is heard on the House floor.

Speaker Bosma stated on Organization Day, “We are here, together, in a time of change, a time of transition, a time of unique challenges, a time of unique opportunities. We will no doubt disagree on the details, but it is my hope – my challenge to you – that we can do so with a renewed spirit of cooperation and work together.”

Speaker Bosma continued in the spirit of bipartisanship by appointing Representative Steve Stemler (D-Jeffersonville) to be the Chair of the Select Committee on Government Reduction. This is the second time the Speaker has made such a bold bipartisan move. In 2010, Speaker Bosma broke 194 years of tradition and reached across the aisle to appoint a Democrat to this position.

“We are preparing a new generation of legislative leadership in Indiana, armed to deal with today’s critical problems. Our constituents expect us to work together, and I assure Hoosiers that we will,” said Bosma.

Local political assignments include Rep. Dave Wolkins (R-Winona Lake) on the Environmental Affairs committee and Select Committee on Government Reduction; Rep. Rebecca Kubacki (R-Syracuse) on the Ethics, Statutory Committee and appointed Assistant Majority Whip; Rep. Wes Culver (R-Goshen) on the Interstate & International Cooperation Statutory committee; and Rep. Tim Neese (R-Elkhart) and Rep. Kathy Heuer (R-Columbia City) on the Local Government committee.