New state Senate leaders unveil committee lineup

The state Senate announced a new organization Wednesday under Senate President Ron Kouchi that shuffled the leadership of some  committees, but left the most powerful committee posts in the hands of the same three senators.

Sen. Jill Tokuda, (D, Kailua-Kaneohe) will remain chairwoman of the Ways and Means Committee, while Sen. Rosalyn Baker (D, West Maui, South Maui) will continue as chairwoman of the Consumer Protection Committee. Sen. Gil Keith Coloma Agaran, (D, Kahului-Wailuku-Puunene) will stay on as chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, according to a written  announcement from Kouchi.

Other committees will see new leadership. Sen. Lorraine Inouye, (D, (Kaupulehu-Waimea-North Hilo) will take control of the newly created Transportation and Energy Committee, while Sen. Mike Gabbard, (D, Kapolei-Maka­kilo) will become chairman of the newly created Senate Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture.

Sen. Laura Thielen, previously chairwoman of the Water and Land Committee, will now become the chairwoman of the Committee on Health and the Environment.

The Senate Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations and Military Affairs will be led by Sen. Clarence Nishihara (D, Waipahu-Pearl City).

Senators also announced the creation of a new Committee on Housing, which will be led by Sen. Brickwood Galuteria (D, Kakaako-McCully-Waikiki).

Galuteria will also serve as majority caucus leader for the Democrats in the Senate, while Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Kaena-Wahiawa-Pupukea) will serve as majority whip.

“This new alignment is consistent with our policy of making the best use of our members skills and interests,” said  Kouchi (D, Kauai-Niihau).

Kouchi on Tuesday replaced Sen. Donna Mercado Kim as president in a rare midsession coup in the Senate.