Corcoran outlines House transition plans

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

The proposed structure of House committees for the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions will be outlined by the end of September, with a new leadership team announced no later than Nov. 9, a day after the general elections, incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran advised members Tuesday. The leadership offices include speaker pro tempore, majority leader and committee chairs. Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, is scheduled to formally take over as speaker Nov. 22 during an organizational session. Corcoran gave members a written update Tuesday that also addressed issues such as the naming of committee vice-chairs and subcommittee chairs. In handling those decisions, he said the leadership team "will break with the prior practice wherein the speaker makes all appointments in isolation." House members' committee assignments will be set after committee and subcommittee chairs have been appointed. Member training programs will be conducted in November, December and January. The 2017 regular legislative session is scheduled to begin March 7.