Overbey gets three leadership roles
By Joel Davis | (joeld@thedailytimes.com)
State Sen. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville, has been appointed to leadership roles in three key committees in the Tennessee State Senate.
Most significantly, Overbey has been appointed chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee. The announcement was made by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey as the 108th General Assembly concluded its organizational session in Nashville this week. The Senate Ethics Committee is responsible for enforcement of the Senate Code of Ethics, recommends modification of the code to the Senate Rules Committee, and hears any complaints waged against a sitting member.
“I am particularly honored to be appointed vice chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee,” Overbey said. “This is a key committee in the General Assembly, and I look forward to working on the challenging financial issues we face this year with our budget.”
Gov. Bill Haslam is scheduled to present his budget proposal for the 2013-2014 fiscal year on Jan. 28. The finance committee holds the purse strings for all of state government with responsibility for hearing all measures dealing with the appropriation of state funds. It also has oversight over legislation pertaining to bonds, pensions, investments or indebtedness.
Overbey will also serve as vice chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is responsible for hearing all bills dealing with civil laws, criminal laws, judicial proceedings, apportionment of elected officials and governing bodies, and all matters relating to the courts, as well as law enforcement.
In addition, Overbey was reappointed as a member of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. That committee is responsible for legislation dealing with public or private hospitals, institutions and services for the mentally retarded, nursing homes, various health care professions, and all aspects of public welfare.
The General Assembly will take a brief recess to make office assignments and await budget details before convening the first full week of the regular 2013 legislative session on Jan. 28.
