Re-elected House Speaker, Del. Adrienne A. Jones appoints diverse House committee chairs

By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
tmcqueen@afro.com

Del. Adrienne A. Jones (D- District 10) was once again voted Speaker of the House of Delegates on the opening day of the 2023 General Assembly session. She was met with joyous cheers from her colleagues upon being sworn in on Jan. 11.

On Jan. 5, House Speaker Jones announced her appointments for the following committee chair positions.

House of Delegates Speaker Del. Adrienne A. Jones (D- District 10) was re-elected House Speaker and established a diverse leadership team for the House. She is the first African American woman to serve as Speaker of the House in Maryland.

Appropriations Committee:

Del. Stephanie Smith (D- District 45) – Chair, Education and Economic Development Subcommittee
Del. Cathi Forbes (D- District 43B) – Chair, Pensions Subcommittee
Del. Jazz Lewis (D- District 24) – Chair, Personnel Subcommittee

“Jazz has done a remarkable job bringing our members together as Caucus Chair,” said Jones in a statement to the press. “He’s a respected leader in the chamber and a natural fit to ensure our members are on the same page regarding the challenges and opportunities over the next four years.”

Environmental and Transportation Committee:

A Silver Spring native, Jazz Lewis, is a Democrat representing District 24 of Prince George’s County, Md. He has been appointed by Speaker Jones as chair of the Personnel Subcommittee.

Del. Sara Love (D- District 16) – Chair, Motor Vehicle and Transportation Subcommittee
Del. Vaughn Stewart (D- District 19) – Chair, Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee
Del. Regina Boyce (D- District 43A) – Chair, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Open Space Subcommittee

Economic Matter Committee:

Del. Lily Qi is a Democrat from District 15. She will serve as chair of the Business Regulation Subcommittee.

Del. Lily Qi (D- District 15) – Chair, Business Regulation Subcommittee
Del. David Fraser Hidalgo (D- District 15) – Chair, Property & Casualty Insurance Subcommittee
Del. Brian Crosby (D- District 29B) – Chair, Public Utilities Subcommittee
Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes (D- District 37A) – Chair, Worker’s Compensation Subcommittee

Del. Sheree L. Sample-Hughes has been a member of the House of Delegates since Jan. 14, 2015. She has been named chair of the Worker’s Compensation Subcommittee.

Judiciary Committee:

Del. Nicole Williams (D- District 22) – Chair, Public Safety

Ways & Means Committee:

Del. Jessica Feldmark (D- District 12) – Chair, Local Revenues

Health and Government Operations Committee:

Del. Ken Kerr (D- District 3) – Chair, Government Operations and Health Facilities
Del. Sandy Rosenberg (D- District 41) – Chair, Health Occupations & Long-Term Care
Del. Ariana Kelly (D- District 16) – Chair, Public Health & Minority Health Disparities

Del. Sandy Rosenberg has been appointed chair of the Health Occupations and Long-Term Care.

Jones also appointed Del. Emily Shetty (D- District 18) as the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

“Emily quickly gained the trust of her Democratic Caucus colleagues,” said Jones. “She’s ready to take the reins of the caucus operation and build on our successes.”

Tashi McQueen is a Report For America Corps Member.