Kean Trades Health Committee for Commerce Committee

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) is giving up his seat on the health committee for a seat on the commerce committee in the coming legislative session.

Kean, who makes the committee assignments for the Republican caucus, picked up a seat on the commerce panel for the two year term. The Senate commerce committee handles legislation regulating banking, the mortgage industry, insurance, real estate, the housing industry and regulated professions in the state. Reguated professions include pharmacies, funeral homes and therapists. This is Kean's first time on the commerce panel. Kean's prior assignment oversaw health legislation along with human services, senior citizens and the Department of Children and Families.

Kean will be retaining his seat on the Senate education committee in the coming term. The education panel handles all legislation regarding elementary, secondary and higher education in the state. The committee is expected to be central to debates over state aid to local school districts and the future of urban education in the next two years.

Kean has also placed himself on the legislative oversight committee, which is a minor committee in the Senate. The panel conducts occasional oversight hearings of the executive branch. Kean will likely also be reappointed to the legislative services commission, which traditionally consists of the legislative leadership. The group oversees the Office of Legislative Services.

The committee assignments of Westfield's two representatives in the state Assembly became available last week. Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) is serving on the budget committee and law and public safety committee and Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) has taken seats on the health and senior services committee and tourism and arts committee.