Bonta chosen to lead two Assembly committees; Quirk to chair public safety

Bonta will add the powerful Health Committee chairmanship in January.

ASSEMBLY | Assemblymember Rob Bonta will be pulling double-duty as chairperson of two committees starting in January.

Among the roster of chairmanships announced Wednesday by Speaker Toni Atkins, Bonta retained his position on the Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee while adding the powerful Health Committee.

Bonta’s position as Health Committee chair is another indication the Democratic leadership in the Assembly values his fundraising ability, not only for his our campaign coffers, but for the state party.

Committees that oversee legislation pertaining to powerful lobbying groups typically attract special interest contributions and few industries have more money to throw around than the health care and insurance companies.

Other East Bay assembly members were also named by Atkins to leadership positions. Assemblymember Bill Quirk begins his second term with his first chairmanship. Quirk was tabbed to chair the Public Safety Committee on Wednesday.

Newly sworn-in Assemblymember Tony Thurmond was named to lead of one of six Budget Subcommittees, this one pertaining to health and human services.

Concord Assemblymember Susan Bonilla was selected to lead the Business and Professions Committee, while San Jose Assemblymember Kansen Chu heads the Human Services Committee. Chu was elected last month to represent the 25th Assembly District, which also includes Fremont.

The full roster of committee members will be announced later this month, according to Atkins’ office.