Florida Senate Pres. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) finalized committee assignments for the 2018 to 2020 legislative sessions.
The stage is set as lawmakers gear up for the start of committee hearings.
Republicans picked up a seat in the midterm election cycle, and now maintain a 23 to 17 majority in Florida’s senate.
Just two Democrats – Lauren Book of Hollywood and Bill Montford of Tallahassee – will hold chair positions.
Sen. David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs) will chair the judiciary committee, which is responsible for gun legislation and criminal justice issues. Simmons is one of the main authors of the state’s controversial Stand Your Ground law, and will likely oversee challenges to it this session.
Some are calling for the law’s repeal after Markeis McGlockton was fatally shot outside a Clearwater convenience store earlier this year.
The full list of committee assignments is available below.
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