Rep. Buys selected to lead House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee as ranking Republican
Rep. Vincent Buys, R-Lynden, was tapped by House leadership to serve as the ranking Republican member on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee yesterday. This is Buys' second year being selected for the position.
“I am honored House leadership has demonstrated their confidence in me to serve for a second year as the ranking Republican on the agriculture committee. The 2014 legislative session continued to show the broad range of issues covered by the committee and its importance,” said Buys. “Agriculture is one of Washington's top employers. We need to help growers, ranchers, miners, processors and others thrive in this economy, while still keeping in mind our duty to be good stewards of our environment. We also need to implement innovative, long-term water solutions that address our current and future residential, municipal, tribal and irrigation water needs. I'm looking forward to working with my fellow committee members, as well as my colleagues within the state Legislature, on solutions to make our agriculture sector better for future generations.”
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee considers issues relating to agriculture production, marketing and sales, animal and plant disease control, fisheries and wildlife, forest practices and forest fire protection, water, mining, and the management of certain state-owned lands.
Rancher and Deputy House Republican Leader Joel Kretz believes Buys is well-fit for the position.
“Vincent has proven himself as a leader in the issues facing our agriculture communities, and many of these issues are central to the Forty-second District, which he represents,” said Kretz, R-Wauconda. “He comes from a farming family, which makes him that much more equipped to tackle the topics before the committee. I'm confident Vincent will continue to fight for our agricultural communities, against government bureaucracy and other regulations.”
Buys also serves on the House Appropriations Committee, which considers the state operating budget and related legislation, budget process, and other fiscal issues.
For a full list of House Republican committee assignments, click here.
The 2015 legislative session is scheduled to begin Jan. 12.
