6.13 How Committee Membership is Determined

In the Ohio General Assembly, a representative or senator becomes a member of a particular committee through appointments made by their chamber’s leadership.

While the House Speaker and president of the Senate appoint committee chairs and members for the majority party, in practice, minority leaders appoint membership for their party. By selecting who sits on which committees, leadership can shape their legislative agendas and prioritize bills that align with their party’s goals. This appointment power allows them to place loyal members in key positions, ensuring support for their leadership and policies. It also enables them to reward allies and manage dissent within their ranks, consolidating their control over the legislative process and the overall direction of state policy.