Senator Kenneth Donnelly was renamed this week by Senate President Therese Murray as the Chairman of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. Senator Donnelly was also appointed Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs.

The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight considers bills that cover a wide range of subject areas including state regulations, state agencies, ethics, public construction, competitive bidding on public contracts and lobbyists’ reporting laws. Major accomplishments by the Committee last session include legislation aimed to reorganize the Executive Office of Labor and Workplace Development which created more efficiency and coordination of state services. Legislation that drastically overhauled and modernized state financing laws was worked on by the Committee and became law last year. Nearly half of the bills reported by the Committee were enacted or were included in other enacted legislation.

“I am proud of the work of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight achieved last session and I am honored to be renamed Chairman,” said Senator Donnelly. “I look forward to what we can do to make our government more transparent, efficient and accessible for the citizens of Massachusetts.”

The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs considers matters regarding the elderly, handicapped elders, nursing facilities, prescription drugs, and other issues. “Elderly citizens of the Commonwealth deserve a strong voice in our legislature and I’m happy to help protect their interests,” said Senator Donnelly.

Senator Donnelly was also appointed to the Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, the Joint Committee on Election Laws, and the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.