The following press release was issued this afternoon:

Today, a panel of majority Democrats in the state Senate recommended to their full Democratic caucus the following slate of committee chairs for the next two years.

Agriculture & Rural Economic Development

Chair: Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond

Early Learning & K-12 Education

Chair: Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell

Economic Development, Trade & Innovation

Chair: Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup

Environment, Water & Energy

Chair: Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County

Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance

Chair: Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens (new)

Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections

(formerly Government Operations & Elections)

Chair: Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver (new)

Health & Long-Term Care

Chair: Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent

Higher Education & Workforce Development

Chair: Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina (new)

Human Services & Corrections

Chair: Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam

Judiciary

Chair: Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle

Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection

Chair: Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle

Natural Resources & Marine Waters

(formerly Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation)

Chair: Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan (new)

Transportation

Chair: Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island

Vice chair: Sen. Scott White, D-Seattle (new)

Ways & Means

Chair: Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle

Vice chair of capital budget: Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor (new)

Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, has announced that she will run for the leadership position of President Pro Tempore, and Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, has announced she will run for the leadership position of Majority Caucus Chair. Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, has announced her desire to remain Majority Floor Leader.

Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, was re-elected as Majority Leader by her Democratic colleagues early last week.

The committee chair recommendations and remaining leadership positions will be voted on by the full majority caucus during December Committee Assembly days, scheduled for Dec. 7 and 8.