Florida House Speaker-designate Chris Sprowls today announced his new leadership team ahead of the Constitutionally required Organization Session on Nov. 17.
Speaker-designate Sprowls made note that for the 2020-2021 Legislative Session, the Speaker Pro Tempore has been given additional responsibility, as COVID-19 Czar, of all health and safety protocols related to COVID-19 in the Florida House and their implementation. A memo sent to members on Wednesday with the leadership team and committee structure for the next term can be viewed here.
Speaker-designate Sprowls’ leadership team:
Representative Bryan Avila, Speaker Pro Tempore
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Avila is a person who exudes the very best of service and duty that Florida has to offer. I have no doubt that his leadership experience and devotion to his state and country will serve him and this body well in the coming term.”
Representative Michael Grant, Majority Leader
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Grant’s experienced leadership and business acumen will help to guide decisions and shape policy in the Florida House. As the owner of a successful company, he knows first-hand how decisions we make here impact small businesses in Florida.”
Representative Jay Trumbull, Appropriations Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Trumbull has deep Florida roots and a strong commitment to serving his state. In the wake of Hurricane Michael’s devastation, Jay Trumbull rose to meet the hurdle head-on. He is an undeniable leader who won’t back down from a challenge and won’t be afraid to make the difficult choices. Representative Trumbull is exactly the leader we need in our appropriations process.”
Representative Paul Renner, Rules Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Having served with distinction as Judiciary Chair, Paul Renner is being called upon to serve in a key leadership role once more, as Rules Committee Chairman. He will bring the same resolute fairness and integrity to this role that he has demonstrated throughout his life of service.”
Representative Blaise Ingoglia, Commerce Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Ingoglia’s passion for public service, his willingness to do the hard work to find good solutions and dedication to his constituents draws respect from his colleagues and the people he serves. He cares about the work he does and the people of Florida. It is with great enthusiasm that I appoint Blaise Ingoglia to my leadership team as the chair of the House Commerce Committee.”
Representative Chris Latvala, Education & Employment Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Latvala is an experienced chairman and proven leader on education policy — an area where Florida has excelled. With goals ranging from expanding literacy among students to creating paths to careers for adults, Representative Latvala has the depth of understanding needed to lead Florida into its bright future in education and employment.”
Representative Colleen Burton, Health & Human Services Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Burton has been a vocal and proven leader on health care policy and a strong mentor to her peers in our legislative body. Her longtime dedication to community involvement and public service means that she deeply understands Floridians’ health and human services needs. I am proud to appoint her to this key leadership role in the Florida House.”
Representative Daniel Perez, Judiciary Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Perez is a dynamic leader and advocate for a fair justice system where rights are protected and every Floridian can feel safe. His public service and his tenacity draws admiration from his peers and his constituents alike. Representative Perez will be a strong and capable Judiciary Committee Chair.”
Representative Ralph Massullo, State Affairs Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Massullo’s commitment to solving real problems across the state and keeping government accountable is demonstrated through his legislative record. A doctor, employer, and servant leader, Ralph Massullo brings a unique and broad perspective to the House that makes him the ideal Chairman of the State Affairs Committee.”
Representative Bobby Payne, Ways & Means Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “Representative Payne has earned the trust and confidence of his fellow Members. He never backs down from a challenge or gives up in a fight. He will apply common sense and conservative values to Florida’s tax policy.”
Representative Tom Leek, Chair, Redistricting Committee and Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committee
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “The Florida House and the people of Florida are fortunate to have Representative Leek to serve in two key chairmanships: the new Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committee and the Redistricting Committee. He has demonstrated decisive leadership, impartiality and fairness as Chair of the Committee on Public Integrity and Ethics during the past two years — traits that will serve him well in his new roles.”
Representative Erin Grall, Public Integrity & Elections Committee Chair
Speaker-designate Sprowls said, “While chairing the select committee investigating Chinese government interference in Florida’s research institutions, I watched Erin Grall persistently pursue the truth. A highly skilled lawyer and a deeply principled individual, Representative Grall has the determination, the skill, and the character to lead the Public Integrity & Elections Committee. She is always honest and unwavering in her commitment to doing the right thing.”
