A few weeks ago, Rep. Tina Orwall was selected Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore-designate by her fellow Democratic Caucus. As required by House rules, she was officially confirmed Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore by the full House of Representatives today, the first day of the 2013 Legislative Session.
“It is an incredible honor to be elected by my peers as Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore. I will work hard to ensure the process is fair and all voices are heard,” said Orwall, who has served as Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore for the past two years.
The Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore presides over sessions of the House as needed when the Speaker Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House are unable to do so. As active Speaker she will be tasked with keeping the process flowing as smoothly as possible when lawmakers are debating proposals on the floor.
This biennium Orwall will continue serving on the powerful Rules Committee, which is where all bills are subject to consideration for a House floor vote. And she will also keep her seat in the Judiciary Committee, which oversees a wide variety of issues relating to family, civil, commercial and criminal law, as well as Consumer Protection Act remedies and processes, and courts and judicial administration.
The Des Moines Democrat will take on new responsibilities serving on the Education Committee, which deals entirely with issues relating to kindergarten through twelfth grade, and on the newly formed Government Operations & Elections Committee.
Last month, several policy committees were restructured in preparation for the 2013 session, narrowing the focus of some and expanding the duties of others. Such is the case of the new Government Operations & Elections Committee, which will look at issues relating to the processes of state government and issues relating to elections, campaign finance, public disclosure and ethics.
Orwall’s 33rd Legislative District includes Normandy Park, Des Moines and parts of Kent, Burien, SeaTac and Renton