Jan. 28, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry/Cumberland) today announced that he has been assigned to serve on the following House committees during the 2015-16 legislative session: Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Game and Fisheries, Judiciary, and Transportation. Keller was a member of the same four committees during the previous two sessions.
Keller has been appointed by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to serve as vice-chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and chairman of the subcommittee on highways for the Transportation Committee.
“I am especially pleased that I have been able to keep my seats on committees that address important issues for many constituents of the 86th District, where agriculture is a major industry and enjoying the outdoors is a popular pastime,” said Keller. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and am excited to get started.”
The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee considers legislation that deals with Pennsylvania’s No. 1 industry, including all aspects of agriculture production and agribusiness, and other related sectors, such as restaurant inspection, plant inspection and pesticide regulation. The committee also reviews issues not commonly thought of as being related to agriculture, such as the Dog Law and inspections of amusement rides, which are regulated by the Department of Agriculture.
The Game and Fisheries Committee reviews legislation that deals with laws, licensing and other matters related to hunting, trapping, fishing and boating throughout the Commonwealth.
The Judiciary Committee focuses on issues and legislation relating to the Judicial Code, the Crimes Code and the Domestic Relations Code. Some of the topics overseen by the committee include identity theft, firearms laws, domestic violence, child abuse laws, state prisons and criminal law.
The Transportation Committee oversees the Vehicle Code, relating to driver’s licensing, vehicle registration and inspections, and rules of the road; mass transit; airports; railroads; and funding for road and bridge repairs.
“During the last session, the Transportation Committee worked on legislation that was eventually enacted as Act 89, the historic measure that provided funding for upgrading Pennsylvania’s aging infrastructure,” Keller added. “I expect the committee to continue making important decisions that impact our highway system, which is so critical to the Commonwealth’s economic growth.”
Keller has also been appointed to serve as a deputy whip for the 2015-16 session by House Majority Whip Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster). Deputy whips have a variety of responsibilities on the House floor, including assisting with member head counts and promoting certain difficult issues facing the House Republican Caucus. He also served as a deputy whip during the last two sessions.
In addition, Keller serves as chairman of the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission. The commission examines the standards of audits performed under the provisions of the state Constitution, and recommends measures for the improvement of pre-auditing of the financial affairs of the Commonwealth. It also reports annually on recommendations and suggested legislation for the improvement of auditing in the Commonwealth, and particularly as it pertains to the Legislature.
For more information on Keller and his legislative priorities, please visit
www.RepKeller.com or
www.Facebook.com/RepKeller.
Representative Mark Keller
86th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepKeller.com /
Facebook.com/RepKeller