OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — House Speaker Jeff Hickman has announced several appointments to leadership positions in the Republican-controlled House.
Hickman on Friday named Representative Charles Ortega of Altus as his majority floor leader, the person responsible for reviewing bills and determining which measures will be heard on the floor. Ortega replaces Rep. Pam Peterson of Tulsa, who served in the post under former Speaker T.W. Shannon.
Hickman also named Representatives Jason Nelson of Oklahoma City and Lisa Billy of Lindsay to serve as assistant floor leaders.
He appointed Representative Gary Banz of Midwest City to serve as majority whip.
Hickman won the speaker's race early last session after Shannon stepped down to run for U.S. Senate, but kept much of Shannon's leadership structure in place.
The 2015 legislative session begins February 2nd.