Changes in Leadership in Both the Florida House & Senate
August 15, 2007

Speaker Marco Rubio is making some changes to his leadership team.  Rep. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) is being replaced by Rep. Frank Attkisson (R-Kissimmee) as Chair of the Government Efficiency & Accountability Council.  This Council oversees the following committees:  State Affairs; Military & Veterans’ Affairs; Urban & Local Affairs; and Audit & Performance. 

The Speaker has named Rep. Dick Kravitz (R-Orange Park) as Chair for the Safety & Security Council.  The former Chair was Rep. Charlie Dean (R-Inverness) who was recently elected to the Florida Senate.  This Council oversees the Constitutional & Civil Law; Courts; Homeland Security & Public Safety; and Juvenile Justice Committees. 

Other changes in Chairmanships include House Courts Committee – Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Lakeland); State Affairs Committee – Rep. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando); Economic Development Committee – (acting Chair) Rep. Dorothy Hukill (R-Daytona Beach Shores); Tourism & Trade Committee – Rep. Bill Proctor (R-St. Augustine) and Energy Committee – Rep. Paige Kreegel (R-Punta Gorda). 

Newly elected Representatives Kurt Kelly and Ron Schultz have received committee assignments as well.  Rep. Kurt Kelly (R-Ocala) will serve on the Safety & Security Council and the Juvenile Justice; K-12; Energy and Economic Development Committees.  Rep. Ron Schultz (R-Inverness) will serve on the Jobs & Entrepreneurship Council and has been named as Vice Chair of the Business Regulations and a member of the Education Innovation & Career Preparation; Environmental Protection and State Affairs Committees.

Changes to committees and councils include:

• Rep. David Simmons (R-Orlando) replaces Rep. Mark Mahon (R-Jacksonville) on the Ethics & Elections Committee

• Rep. Stephen Precourt (R-Winter Gardens) was added to the Infrastructure Committee and was removed as Vice Chair of the Business Regulations Committee

• Rep. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) was added to the Business Regulations Committee replacing Rep. Dorothy Hukill (R-Daytona Beach Shores)

• Rep. Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) was added to the Financial Institutions Committee

• Rep. Mitch Needelman (R-Melbourne) and Rep. Bryan Nelson (R-Apopka) have been appointed to the House Insurance Committee and Rep. Bill Proctor has been removed

• Rep. Larry Cretul (R-Ocala) and Rep. Bill Snyder (R-Stuart) have been appointed to the House Utilities & Telecommunications Committee

• Rep. Nick Thompson (R-Ft. Myers) has been named as Vice Chair of the Constitution & Civil Law Committee and removed as Vice Chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee

• Rep. Doug Holder (R-Sarasota) and Rep. Paige Kreegel (R-Ponte Gorda) have been appointed to the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee and Rep. Dick Kravitz (R-Orange Park) and Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Lakeland) have been removed

• Rep. Rob Schenck (R-Springhill) has been appointed to the Conservation & State Lands Committee

• Rep. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) is replacing Rep. Dick Kravitz (R-Orange Park) on the 21st Century Competitiveness Committee

• Rep. Frank Attkisson (R-Kissimmee) will no longer serve on the Education Innovation & Career Preparation Committe

• The K-12 Committee has two new members – Rep. Stan Jordan (R-Jacksonville) and Rep. Kelly Kurt (R-Ocala)

• Rep. Ralph Poppell (R-Titusville) has been added to the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee

• The Energy Committee has the most changes with the additions of Rep. Don Brown (R-Niceville); Rep. Larry Cretul (R-Ocala); Rep. Andy Gardiner (R-Winter Garden); Rep. Kurt Kelly (R-Ocala) and Rep. Bill Snyder (R-Stuart).   Rep. Marti Coley and Rep. Bob Allen will no longer serve on the Energy Committee

• Rep. Jennifer Carroll (R-Jacksonville) replaces Rep. Clay Ford (R-Pensacola) on the Healthy Families Committee

• Rep. Denise Grimsley (R-Sebring) replaces Rep. Clay Ford (R-Pensacola) on the Health Care Council

• Rep. Rich Glorioso (R-Plant City) has been added to the Urban & Local Affairs Committee

• Rep. Stephen Precourt (R-Winter Gardens) has been appointed to the Environmental & Natural Resources Council replacing Rep. Bob Allen (R-Melbourne)

• Rep. Clay Ford (R-Pensacola) has been added to the Schools & Learning Council.  He has also been named as Vice Chair of the Postsecondary Education Committee

• Rep. Dorothy Hukill (R-Daytona Beach Shores) and Rep. Will Weatherford (R-Zephyrhills) have been appointed to the Policy & Budget Council and Rep. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) has been removed

• The Rules & Calendar Council has three new members, Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach); Rep. Frank Attkisson (R-Kissimmee) and Rep. Dick Kravitz (R-Orange Park) and Rep. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) has been removed

Additional leadership changes include Rep. Larry Cretul (R-Ocala) who has been named as Deputy Majority Leader.  

On the Senate side, Senator Paula Dockery (R-Lakeland) has been named as Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee replacing Senator Nancy Argenziano who left the Senate to serve on the Public Service Commission.

Newly elected Senator Charlie Dean (R-Inverness) has been named as Chair of the Military Affairs & Domestic Security Committee.  He will also serve on the Law & Justice Policy & Calendar Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations; Governmental Operations; Health Policy; and Regulated Industries.