CHARLESTON — Changes are coming to the West Virginia House of Delegates as the Legislature gavels in today, including a new leadership team for House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, along with new committee chairs and new committee structures.

Hanshaw, R-Clay, announced Tuesday afternoon these changes that will go into effect after today when lawmakers gavel in to open election results, swear in new members and elect its leadership, and when lawmakers officially convene to start the 2025 legislative session on Feb. 12.

“Each of the ladies and gentlemen who will come to this building to take the oath of office will do so with the confidence of the 1.8 million West Virginians who are counting on us to chart a course of leadership and progress that will improve their daily lives,” Hanshaw said in a statement. “A new Legislature is an opportunity to adjust the foundation we have here to facilitate the work of the House, and we believe the lineup we’ve assembled will bring about new discussions, new approaches and new solutions.”

Hanshaw is expected to be re-elected as House Speaker today after being unopposed when House Republicans caucused in December to select their nominee.

Hanshaw was first elected as House Speaker in 2018 to succeed Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, who was appointed to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Hanshaw was elected to a full two-year term in 2019 and again in 2021. Hanshaw, an attorney for Bowles Rice and a former staff attorney for the Senate Republican caucus prior to 2014 when Democratic lawmakers held the majority, was first elected to the House in 2014.

Hanshaw announced the appointment of Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, as House Majority Leader. He succeeds Del. Eric Householder, R-Berkeley, who declined to seek re-election to the House after an unsuccessful race for the GOP nomination for state auditor in May. Householder has been named by Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey as the next secretary of the Department of Administration.

Assistant Majority Leaders will include: Tom Clark, R-Webster; David Green, R-McDowell; Keith Marple, R-Harrison; Delegate-elect Dave McCormick, R-Monongalia; Erica Moore, R-Roane; Mickey Petitto, R-Harrison; and Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette.

Del. Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, will remain in that role. Assistant Majority Whips will include: Jim Butler, R-Mason; Jordan Bridges, R-Logan; Eric Brooks, R-Raleigh; Dave Foggin, R-Wood; Delegate-elect Sarah Drennan, R-Putnam; and Bill Ridenour, R-Jefferson.

Del. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, will continue to serve as House Deputy Speaker, with Del. David Kelly, R-Tyler, also being elevated to Deputy Speaker. Rohrbach will also serve as Speaker Pro Tempore, succeeding former Jefferson County Del. Paul Espinosa who resigned earlier this year to be appointed to the state Racing Commission.

Del. Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley, will serve as chairman of the House Republican Caucus, which facilitated House GOP caucus meetings and public policy strategy. House Republican Conference vice chairs include John Paul Hott, R-Grant, and Doug Smith, R-Mercer.

In addition to new leadership, Hanshaw announced the restructuring of House major and minor committees. There are currently 21 House committees, but Hanshaw said there will now be six standing committees – Health and Human Resources, Energy and Public Works, Finance, Government Organization, Education and Judiciary. These standing committees will have their own subcommittees, replacing much of the former minor committee structure.

“In addition to a strong blend of new and established leadership, I’m excited to implement a new format for our committee work here in the House,” Hanshaw said. “For far too long, the success rate of a legislative session has been measured by the number of bills passed, and that’s just not the appropriate assessment for what should be a focus on problem-solving.

Introduced bills will now be referred to one of the six standing committees or their subcommittees. Those bills will go through their own three-day process after being introduced, including agency reviews and comments on day one, changes to the bill on day two, and a vote on the bill by the committee on day three.

“Not only did we want to build in specific and predictable steps with appropriate timing for the committee process, but we also wanted to better execute our oversight role,” Hanshaw said. “Not every problem is solved by enacting a new law, and we think regular discussions with Executive Branch agencies will give all of us a better understanding of the challenges, successes and resources out there in every corner of our state.”

Del. Vernon Criss, R-Wood, will chair the revamped Standing Committee on Finance, with Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, as his vice chair. Subcommittees will include revenue, banking and insurance, investments, and appropriations.

Del. Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, will chair the Standing Committee on the Judiciary, with Del. J.B. Akers, R-Kanawha, as his vice chair. Subcommittees include courts, homeland security, and legal services.

Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, with chair the Standing Committee on Health and Human Resources, with Del. Michael Hite, R-Berkeley, as his vice chair. Subcommittees include public health, human services, and health care regulation.

Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour, will chair the Standing Committee on Government Organization, with Del. Doug Smith, R-Mercer, as his vice chair. Subcommittees include government administration; local governments; and agriculture, commerce and tourism.

Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood, will chair the Standing Committee on Energy and Public Works, with Del. Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, as his vice chair. Subcommittees include energy and manufacturing, economic development, and environment and infrastructure.

Del. Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, with chair the Standing Committee on Education, with Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, as his vice chair. Subcommittees include public education, higher education, and educational choice.

“We know this will be a big adjustment for a lot of us, especially our staff and the public, but we are optimistic about this approach, which we think will be easier to follow and will lead to a more solution-oriented approach to lawmaking,” Hanshaw said.