Changes in committee assignments have been announced in advance of the 2021 legislative session. State Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, has been appointed to a new, influential committee and joins the ranks of leadership on another.

Muzzall will continue to serve on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which focuses on the state budget and tax issues. He has been appointed the ranking member on the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee and joins the Senate Rules Committee, which serves as a final gateway for bills that have cleared the committee stage but have not reached the Senate floor.

“Since joining the Senate, I’ve focused on ensuring our district has a strong voice in the decisions being made in Olympia and delved into policy issues impacting our residents,” Muzzall said. “I’m honored to continue my work on health care issues and the budget and welcome the challenge of working with my colleagues to determine broader decisions about what the whole Senate will vote on in the Rules Committee.”

Muzzall is leaving the State Government, Elections and Tribal Relations Committee, whose responsibilities have been split up across two committees.

“As a freshman senator, my thought was just to be happy to sit and listen and learn,” said Muzzall. “Now that I will be serving the people of the 10th District for a full, four-year term, it’s time to change my approach and bring my wealth of experience to bear for all of the communities I represent. I think these committee assignments will serve us well.”

The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to convene remotely for 105 days on Jan. 11, 2021.