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Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, the first Republican to hold that post since the 12th legislative session—the current session is the 78th—selected the members of the House Insurance committee, returning John Smithee of Amarillo, to the chairmanship position.

Other committee members include: Gene Seaman, vice chair; Craig Eiland, CBO; Pete Gallego; Senfronia Thompson; Dennis Bonnen; Bill Keffer; Larry Taylor; and Corbin Van Arsdale, Houston.

Smithee is one of only two representatives who will chair the same committees they led during the previous session, according to Texas Weekly. The other is Al Edwards of Houston, who chairs the Rules & Resolutions committee.