It’s a break from tradition – but the minority floor leaders in both the House and Senate will serve on standing committees in the 2017 Legislative session.
That’s partially due to the Democrats’ depleted numbers.
Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman (D-New Rockford) will serve on the Senate Human Services Committee.
"My first session was 2007, and no leader since that time has been on a committee," Heckaman said. "I'll be doubly busy that way."
Heckaman said she’s happy to be back on the Human Service Committee. But she said it’s not a numbers game.
"We do have one (Democrat) on every committee," Heckaman said. "But I'm going to serve on one with our new member for a little bit of support. And I can be out if I need to do leadership work."
The other Democratic member of the Human Services committee is new Fargo Senator Merrill Piepkorn. Heckaman said it’s the only committee, outside of Appropriations, that will have two Democrats.
In the House, Minority Leader Corey Mock (D-Grand Forks) will serve on two committees -- Education, and Energy and Natural Resources.