DES MOINES, Iowa – Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, announced updated committee assignments as a result of Senator Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, stepping down as chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

State Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, will chair the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

“I want to thank Senator Whitver for the opportunity to lead the tax writing committee in the Senate,” said Chapman. “It is an important role that affects all Iowans. It is a privilege to lead this committee. I commend Senator Feenstra on his leadership and I look forward to working with him next year as we continue to reform income taxes and reduce some of the highest tax rates in the country.”

State Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, now chairs the Senate Commerce Committee.

“It is an honor to be appointed as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee by Senator Whitver and a privilege to represent my district in this capacity,” said Dawson. “I look forward to working on legislation to decrease burdensome regulations in Iowa and ensure everyone from Council Bluffs and Carter Lake to Davenport has a job opportunity.”

State Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City, will serve as chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee,” Carlin said. “The veterans living in our state have sacrificed so much to protect our nation. I look forward to passing legislation to support Iowa’s veterans and thank them for their service.”

“Senator Feenstra provided strong and principled leadership for the Ways and Means Committee for 3 years. I am thankful for his service to our caucus,” said Whitver. “The depth of talent in the Senate Republican Caucus is on display once again. I have full confidence in Senators Chapman, Dawson and Carlin in their new roles to continue to implement a positive, pro-growth agenda for Iowa.”

State Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, will serve as the vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. State Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Oskaloosa, will replace Dawson on the Senate State Government Committee.

Updated committee compositions are below. All changes are effective immediately and other committee assignments are unchanged.

Ways and Means

  • Chapman, chair
  • Dawson, vice chair
  • State Sen. Jerry Behn
  • Feenstra
  • State Sen. Roby Smith
  • State Sen. Annette Sweeney
  • State Sen. Zach Nunn
  • State Sen. Jeff Edler
  • State Sen. Jason Schultz
  • State Sen. Waylon Brown
  • Carlin

Commerce

  • Dawson, chair
  • State Sen. Carrie Koelker, vice chair
  • Brown
  • State Sen. Amy Sinclair
  • State Sen. Michael Breitbach
  • State Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
  • Feenstra
  • State Sen. Craig Johnson
  • Smith
  • Nunn
  • Chapman

Judiciary

  • State Sen. Brad Zaun, chair
  • Garrett, vice chair
  • Chapman
  • Nunn
  • State Sen. Tom Shipley
  • Sweeney
  • Schultz
  • State Sen. Zach Whiting
  • Sinclair
  • Dawson

State Government

  • Smith, chair
  • Johnson, vice chair
  • Chapman
  • Rozenboom
  • Feenstra
  • Schultz
  • Miller-Meeks
  • Whiting
  • State Sen. Chris Cournoyer
  • Zaun

Veterans Affairs

  • Carlin, chair
  • Miller-Meeks, vice chair
  • Koelker
  • State Sen. Mark Costello
  • Edler
  • Dawson
  • State Sen. Mark Lofgren
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