Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat announces new HHS committee chair, other leadership changes

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Friday announced leadership changes made necessary due to the recent resignation of a member of the Senate.

“With a new legislative session drawing upon us, I am making these changes so the Senate can seamlessly move forward with our role in the legislative process. I am very confident in the members stepping into these new leadership roles and know they will do a great job for the Senate and the people of Oklahoma,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Treat said he has named Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, to serve as the new chair of the Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee to replace Sen. Jason Smalley, who had served as chairman but has resigned from the Senate effective January 31. Treat has named Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, to replace McCortney as vice chair of the HHS committee. McCortney previously served as chair of the Rules Committee but will relinquish that role to serve as the new HHS committee chair.

Treat has named Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, the new chair of the Senate Rules Committee. Sen. Mark Allen, R-Spiro, will remain vice chairman of the Rules Committee.

Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, will fill the vacancy on the Senate Education Committee, Treat said.

Additionally, Treat announced the appointment of Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, as an assistant floor leader to replace Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, who has stepped down from that leadership position. Bice will remain chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

The resignation also created a vacancy in the position of Republican Caucus chair. Treat said Republicans will hold an election in the coming days to select a new caucus chair.

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