NASHVILLE – Newly elected Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell elevated two Southeast Tennesseans to serve as chairmen of legislative committees while also moving to streamline the number of House subcommittees.
No Democrats were named chairman, co-chairman or secretary of a committee or subcommittee.
In the House, Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, was made chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which is expected during the 107th General Assembly to consider issues such as capping jury awards for nonmonetary damages such as pain and suffering in civil litigation.
“He chaired a criminal practice subcommittee last year, showing he had strength and ability to chair a committee,” Harwell said.
Watson, a Bradley County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant, also demonstrated he could be “fair and calm” and ensure parliamentary procedure was followed, she noted.