Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida December 2018 | Page 8

Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology: Chair Wilton Simpson (R-Spring Hill), Vice Chair Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Fort Myers) , Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee), Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park), Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), Oscar Braynon (D-Miami Gardens), Gary Farmer (D-Fort Lauderdale), Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville), Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast), Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) HOUSE ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE CHAIRS Mike La Rosa REPRESENTATIVE Florida House of Representatives Speaker of the House Jose Oliva (R-Miami) announced House Chairmanships during the Organizational Session in November. Rep. Mike La Rosa (R-St. Cloud) will chair the Commerce Committee, which oversees energy and utilities. Rep. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah) chairs the Economic Affairs Committee., which oversees workforce, transportation and infrastructure issues. At this time, the House had not released the names of subcommittee chairs nor the makes for neither committees nor subcommittees. HOUSE MEMBERS APPOINTED TO AGENCY POSTS BY GOVERNOR- ELECT DESANTIS Bryan Avila REPRESENTATIVE Florida House of Representatives Governor Desantis is showing a propensity to look at legislators from both sides of the aisle to be his administration’s state agency heads. Thus far, Rep. David Moskowitz (D-Coral Springs) has been appointed to be lead the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which coordinates the state’s response to large emergencies such as hurricanes. The Governor also appointed Rep. Halsey Beshears (R-Monticello) to run the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which the state’s professional licensing agency. There are rumors that other legislators may be tapped to head state agencies in the coming weeks. • • • Jared Evan Moskowitz REPRESENTATIVE Florida House of Representatives Halsey Beshears REPRESENTATIVE Florida House of Representatives 6 DITCHMEN • DECEMBER 2018