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Del. Bobby Orrock of Caroline will become chairman of House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee Date published: 1/8/2010
BY CHELYEN DAVIS House Speaker Bill Howell has appointed Del. Bobby Orrock as chairman of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee. Howell, R-Stafford County, had indicated last month that he planned to appoint Orrock to the position. Orrock, R-Caroline County, is in line for the chairmanship under the House's seniority system. The committee had been chaired by former delegate Phil Hamilton, who lost his seat in the November elections. Orrock has been on the committee since he was first elected, in 1990. Howell, as speaker, is in charge of House of Delegates committee assignments and can, if he chooses, bypass the seniority system in appointing committee chairmen. Howell himself technically must be re-elected as speaker by the House of Delegates when the 2010 General Assembly session begins next Wednesday. In a press release announcing Orrock's chairmanship, Howell said the committee is "deeply involved in a great deal of vital legislation ranging from mental health and foster care services to oversight of health care professionals and hospitals." He said that Orrock "possesses the valuable understanding of these critical issues and the desire to advance practical solutions that produce real results." A PROMISE TO BE FAIR Orrock said he's committed to running the committee in a "fair and open" fashion. Committee chairmen can control the flow of debate, and decide which bills get heard and when. Orrock also has said he will probably drop his membership on the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee because of the new chairmanship. Committee chairmen typically serve on fewer committees than other members. Howell will announce other committee assignments on Wednesday, when the 60-day legislative session begins. Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028
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