Committees local lawmakers have been assigned to include:

• The House Appropriations Committee is the primary committee of the General Assembly tasked with overseeing state government spending, state fiscal policies and developing a state budget each fiscal year.

• The Finance Committee oversees matters relating to taxation and fiscal policy, investment of the commonwealth’s money and regulations of the Department of Revenue. In addition, it reviews legislation dealing with the operation of the Pennsylvania Lottery, as well as bills regarding the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program, both of which are funded by the lottery.

• The Professional Licensure Committee maintains jurisdiction over all legislation dealing with the 29 professional and occupational licensing boards located administratively in the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in the Department of State. Professionals range from physicians and cosmetologists to real estate agents and funeral directors. Additionally, the committee is charged with reviewing the various regulations put forward by the Department of State regarding licensed professionals.

• The Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee focuses on the needs of Pennsylvania’s first responders and veteran community, as well as works to keep all commonwealth residents safe. For example, a key focus this session will be the recruitment and retention of the state’s emergency responders.

• The Tourism and Recreational Development Committee considers issues related to Pennsylvania’s tourism industry, including promotion; lodging; scenic roadways; trail-related initiatives; agritourism; recreational use of land and water; and amusement parks, fairs, carnivals and folk festivals.

• The Urban Affairs Committee reviews legislation affecting the state’s largest cities including housing; urban redevelopment; economic development; land use planning and zoning; growth management; infrastructure financing; and city services such as police, fire, sewage and water.

• The Children and Youth Committee studies adoption and child protection issues, along with child day care services, infant/child/mother health issues, juvenile delinquency, and adolescent and teen problems. It played an integral role in previous sessions to update the state’s child protection laws and continues to monitor those laws to make any necessary updates.

• The Education Committee works on state issues involving public and private schools, encompassing pre-K through grade 12 basic education, as well as postsecondary education.

• The Commerce Committee works with the departments of Community and Economic Development and Banking and Securities. It covers topics like state economic development, eligibility for mortgage assistance and consumer complaints regarding loans and credit cards.

• The State Government Committee has broad oversight over the executive branch, including the Office of the Governor, the Departments of State and General Services, as well as the Civil Service and State Ethics Commissions. The State Government Committee is also responsible for developing and approving legislation relating to elections, ethics in state government, constitutional amendments and redistricting.