Hawkeye Reporter

House Speaker Pat Grassley has announced new appointments for House committee chair positions ahead of the 2026 Legislative Session. The changes affect several standing committees and one appropriations subcommittee.

For the Agriculture Committee, Rep. Derek Wulf (R-Hudson) will take over from Rep. Mike Sexton (R-Rockwell City). The Commerce Committee will now be chaired by Rep. David Young (R-Van Meter), replacing Rep. Shannon Lundgren (R-Peosta). Rep. Austin Harris (R-Moulton) is set to lead the Health and Human Services Committee, taking over from Rep. Carter Nordman (R-Panora).

Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-Birmingham) becomes chair of the International Relations Committee, succeeding Rep. Eddie Andrews (R-Johnston). The Local Government Committee will now be led by Rep. Brooke Boden (R-Indianola), who replaces Rep. Megan Jones (R-Sioux Rapids).

Rep. Devon Wood (R-New Market) takes on the role of chair for the Natural Resources Committee, following Rep. Derek Wulf’s previous tenure in that position. For Transportation, Rep. Megan Jones assumes leadership from Rep. David Young.

The Veterans Affairs Committee will be chaired by Rep. Tom Determann (R-Clinton), replacing Rep. Brooke Boden, while Ways & Means sees Rep. Carter Nordman stepping in for former chair Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton).

In appropriations subcommittees, Education Appropriations will now be chaired by Rep. Dan Gehlbach (R-Urbandale), taking over from Rep. Austin Harris.

The 2026 Legislative Session is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, 2026.