Sen. Welch Receives Key 2013 Legislative Committee Assignments
January 9, 2013
L to R; Senators Art Linares – Westbrook, Rob Kane – Watertown, Jason Welch – Bristol, Clark Chapin – Torrington)
Hartford, CT – Senator Jason Welch (R-Bristol) received four key committee assignments for the 2013 legislative session and will be sworn in for a second term at the State Capitol on Wednesday, January 9th.
Senate Minority leadership announced that Senator Welch will serve as an assistant Minority Leader and ranking member on two important committees, one of which has been elevated from temporary to permanent status.
R to L, Sen. Rob Kane (R-Watertown) and Sen. Jason Welch (R-Bristol)
After eight years of “select” temporary status, the General Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee will be elevated to permanent “standing” status for the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, and all sessions thereafter.
Senator Jason Welch, who has served his country in both the United States Coast Guard Reserve and Army National Guard said, “Allowing the Veterans’ Affairs Committee equal standing in the legislative process simply makes sense. Our veterans are facing some very difficult issues unique to those who are active military and those who have served. As a member of the committee charged with overseeing public policy related to veterans, I am pleased to see our general assembly take this important step. It’s our obligation to look out for those who serve their country.”
Sen. Welch will also serve as the ranking member of the Public Health Committee and will serve on the Judiciary and Internship committees.
- Public Health Committee has cognizance of all programs and matters relating to the Department of Public Health; the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Developmental Services; the Office of Health Care Access; and all other matters relating to health, including emergency medical services, all licensing boards within the Department of Public Health, nursing homes, pure food and drugs, and controlled substances, including the treatment of substance abuse.
- Judiciary Committee has cognizance of all matters relating to courts, judicial procedures, criminal law, probate courts, probation, parole, wills, estates, adoption, divorce, bankruptcy, escheat, law libraries, deeds, mortgages, conveyance, preservation of land records and other public documents, the law of business organizations, uniform laws, validations, authorizations to sue and to appeal, claims against the state, all judicial nominations, all nominations of workers’ compensation commissioners, all nominations of members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and all matters relating to the Judicial Department, the Department of Correction and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
- Internship Committee seeks to prepare interns to perform the necessary support services desired by the legislators, for whom they are working; i.e. bill analysis and tracking, spot and in-depth research, drafting of news releases and speeches, liaison work, constituent casework.
Senator Welch grew up in Torrington and holds an undergraduate degree from Hamilton College and a Juris Doctorate degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. He has served his country in both the United States Coast Guard Reserve and Army National Guard. Senator Welch has worked at some of Connecticut’s top law firms where he has focused on helping businesses resolve complicated disputes. Senator Welch now works as an attorney for a Lloyd’s of London Syndicate based in Farmington.
Senator Welch says he will continue to support legislation to improve the business climate and create jobs in Connecticut. He is also a strong advocate for the elimination of unfunded mandates, lowering of energy costs and reducing state spending.
Senator Jason Welch represents Connecticut’s 31st Senatorial District, which includes Bristol, Harwinton, Plainville, Plymouth and Thomaston.