Assemblymember Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, was named chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management Thursday, officials said.

California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon named Smith chair in a statement announcing State Assembly leadership and committee assignments for the 2019-20 session.

The Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management works to address issues concerning disaster preparedness, emergency management and homeland security issues, according to officials.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity. Our district, of course, has been on the devastating end of the wildfires, and we’re long overdue for a massive earthquake,” said Smith. “We’re part of a community with a lot of first responders, and making sure they have the resources they need is of the utmost importance.”
Among the assignments announced, Smith was also selected as a member of several other committees.

In addition to her chairship, Rendon also appointed Smith as a member of four additional committees: Education; Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy; Accountability and Administrative Review; and Privacy and Consumer Protection.

Smith expressed her excitement to join each of the committees, and specified two of her top priorities for when the next assembly session begins.

“Priority one is to make sure we’re doing an assessment of the recent devastation from the Camp Fire in Paradise, as well as the Woolsey Fire that did touch the 38th Assembly District,” said Smith. “Priority two is on education, where I hope to help take the lessons from the 38th and all the amazing school districts here and to apply those lessons to our schools across the state.”

The State Assembly is expected to return to Sacramento to begin the 2019-2020 session on Jan. 7, 2019.

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