During the biennial session reorganization Wednesday of Massachusetts House and Senate committees, a number of area legislators either held their committee leadership seats or took on new roles.
Among joint committees of both houses of the legislature, Sen. Barry R. Finegold returns as the Senate chair of Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, serving alongside Rep. Carole A. Fiola. Finegold helped shepherd a $4 billion economic development bill through the legislature last fall.
Rep. Andy X. Vargas becomes the House chairperson of Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses and will serve with Senate Chairperson Adam Gomez. Sen. Pavel M. Payano formally held the Senate chair, but now moves on as chairperson of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
Vargas will also serve as a member of the Temporary House Committee on Ways and Means
Meanwhile, Rep. Tram T. Nguyen, of Andover, becomes chair of the House Committee on Climate Action and Sustainability, formerly known as the House Committee on Global Warming.