Senators Tom Berryhill (R-Twain Harte) and Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) announced last week their nominations to serve on Senate Committees for the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, two of which they will serve on together.

Senator Berryhill, who represents the citizens of the 8th Senate District including Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne counties, as well as parts of Fresno, Madera, Sacramento, Stanislaus and Tulare counties, was elected to the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Governmental Organization, Human Services, Insurance and Senate Rules. He will serve as Vice Chair of both the Governmental Organization and Human Services committees.

“Families and businesses in rural California face different challenges than other regions of California,” said Senator Berryhill. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on these committees to ensure there is a voice for rural communities and that their needs are considered as legislation moves forward.”

Senator Cannella, who speaks for Merced County, San Benito County and parts of Fresno, Madera, Monterey and Stanislaus counties as the state’s 12th Senate District representative, was also elected to the Governmental Organization and Senate Rules committees – the latter of which he will serve as Vice Chair. Senator Cannella will also accept Vice Chair duties for the Transportation and Housing Committee, and was elected to serve on the Energy, Utilities and Commerce Committee as well.

"Being selected by my colleagues for these committees is an honor,” said Senator Cannella. “It will give me the opportunity to continue my efforts of influencing policy that makes California a more prosperous state through job creation and economic growth."

Both senators will serve on the five-member Senate Rules Committee, which is considered to be one of the most influential assignments in the Senate. Because of this, selection to the committee must be confirmed by the entire Senate. The duty of the Senate Rules Committee is to investigate and study proposed amendments to the rules and other matters relating to the business of the state’s Legislature, and includes powers such as appointing secretaries or hiring clerical, technical or legal assistants as necessary and summoning witnesses for investigations of bills or laws.

The pair will also serve on the Governmental Organization Committee together, where they will be responsible for bills relating to state government organization, horseracing public gaming, the National Guard, alcoholic beverages, management of public safety emergencies and disaster response and legislation permitting the use of state-controlled lands.

Designated committee chairs and membership will be formally adopted by the Senate Rules Committee when it convenes on Jan. 11.