Nevada Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford accepted the appointment of Sen. Pete Goicoechea to several legislative committees in the 2017 Legislative Session.
Goicoechea, a Republican from Eureka representing Senate District 19, was appointed by the Democrat Ford to the finance, government affairs and natural resources committees.
There are seven other legislative committees in the Nevada Senate that include commerce, labor and energy; education; health and human services; judiciary; legislative operations and elections; natural resources; revenue and economic development; and transportation.
Traditionally, the minority leader makes recommendations for appointments for their seats on each committee and the majority leader respects those recommendations, said Pete Koltak, executive director of the Nevada Senate Democratic Caucus.
“Committees meet regularly during the week to hold hearings on legislation and then decide whether to send bills to the full senate, vote them down, or make amendments. Most of the heavy lifting when it comes to crafting legislation is done in committee,” Koltak said.
Democrats gained control of the Senate after the November election and hold an 11-9 edge in the upper chamber. The Republicans held a slight 11-10 edge is the last session.
Democratic leadership is in the process of finalizing priorities and goals for 2017, Koltak said.
District 19 in the Nevada Senate includes Elko, Eureka, Lincoln and White Pine counties. It also includes most of Nye county including Beatty and Pahrump, and a rural portion of Clark County.
He recently chaired the Legislative Commission Subcommittee to Study Water.
Goicoechea beat his challenger, Janine Hansen, in the Nov. 8 election for his second four-year term. He received close to 73 percent of support, while Hansen received 27 percent.
Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77