Sens. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles) will take on new roles following a vote of the Senate Democratic Caucus Wednesday.
Shewmake will chair the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, while Chapman will chair the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.
The moves come following the departure of former Sen. Joe Nguyễn (D-White Center), who was recently appointed to head the Department of Commerce by Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson.
“I’m honored to have been named chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee,” Shewmake said. “I’m ready to work alongside my colleagues and Washington’s communities to expand our clean energy sector, create new green manufacturing jobs, fight climate change and safeguard our environment. We don’t have to choose between a healthy planet and a strong economy. We can — and must — have both.”
“It’s a real honor to be selected for this position,” said Chapman, who also chaired the same committee in the House of Representatives the past four years. “Washington’s agricultural and natural resource economy are a crucial part of our state’s history, culture and rural development. I look forward to doing everything I can to help folks earn a living in every corner of the state.”
Changes to Senate standing committees can be found here and are listed in red.
The 105-day 2025 legislative session begins Monday.
