Pennsylvania House Speaker-Designate Rep. Mike Turzai, R-28th, recently announced the appointments of both Republican and Democratic committee chairmen for the 2015-16 legislative session.

House committees study each bill and determine which proposals will go to the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Committee members conduct public hearings on key issues, allowing citizens and interested groups to have a say in the legislative process.

Committees are outlined in the House Rules enacted for each session.

Turzai made the following appointments, which are unofficial until announced on the House floor:

Aging and Older Adult Services:

* Rep. Tim Hennessey, R-26th, Chester and Montgomery counties.

* Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-135th, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs:

* Rep. Martin Causer, R-67th, Cameron, Potter and McKean counties.

* Rep. John P. Sabatina, D-174th, Philadelphia.

Children and Youth:

* Rep. Kathy Watson, R-144th, Bucks County.

* Rep. Louise Bishop, D-192nd, Philadelphia County.

Commerce:

* Rep. Adam Harris, R-82nd, Franklin, Juniata and Mifflin counties.

* Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, D-181st, Philadelphia County.

Consumer Affairs:

* Rep. Robert Godshall, R-53rd, Montgomery County.

* Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-49th, Fayette and Washington counties.

Education:

* Rep. Stan Saylor, R-94th, York County.

* Rep. James Roebuck, D-188th, Philadelphia County.

Environmental Re- sources and Energy:

* Rep. John Maher, R-40th, Allegheny and Washington counties.

* Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166th, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

Finance:

* Rep. Bernie O'Neill, R-29th, Bucks County.

* Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-19th, Allegheny County.

Game and Fisheries:

* Rep. Keith Gillespie, R-47th, York County.

* Rep. Ted Harhai, D-58th, Westmoreland County.

Gaming Oversight:

* Rep. John Payne, R-106th, Dauphin County.

* Rep. Nick Kotik, D-45th, Allegheny County.

Health:

* Rep. Matt Baker, R-68th, Bradford, Potter and Tioga counties.

* Rep. Florindo (Flo) Fabrizio, D-2nd, Erie County.

Human Services:

* Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, R-18th, Bucks County.

* Rep. Angel Cruz, D-180th, Philadelphia County.

Insurance:

* Rep. Tina Pickett, R-110th, Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna counties.

* Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-32nd, Allegheny County.

Judiciary:

* Rep. Ron Marsico, R-105th, Dauphin County.

* Rep. Joseph A. Petrarca, D-55th, Armstrong, Indiana and Westmoreland counties.

Labor and Industry:

* Rep. Mauree Gingrich, R-101st, Lebanon County.

* Rep. Marc J. Gergely, D-35th, Allegheny County.

Liquor Control:

* Rep. Chris Ross, R-158th, Chester County.

* Rep. Paul Costa, D-34th, Allegheny County.

Local Government:

* Rep. Kate Harper, R-61st, Montgomery County.

* Rep. Bob Freeman, D-136th, Northampton County.

Professional Licensure:

* Rep. Julie Harhart, R-183rd, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

* Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-36th, Allegheny County.

State Government:

* Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, Butler County.

* Rep. Mark Cohen, D-202nd, Philadelphia County.

Tourism and Recreational Development:

* Rep. Dave Hickernell, R-98th, Lancaster and Dauphin counties.

* Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-159th, Delaware County.

Transportation:

* Rep. John Taylor, R-177th, Philadelphia County.

* Rep. William F. Keller, D-184th, Philadelphia.

Urban Affairs:

* Rep. Scott Petri, R-178th, Bucks County.

* Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone, D-127th, Berks County

Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness:

* Rep. Stephen E. Barrar, R-160th, Chester and Delaware counties.

* Rep. Christopher Sainato, D-9th, Lawrence County.