State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) has been tapped by President Pro Tem David C. Long to serve on the Senate Agriculture and Small Business Committee.

Long (R-Fort Wayne) also appointed Leising to serve on three other key Senate committees: Education and Career Development, Health and Provider Services along with Utilities and Technology.

Lawmakers last week formerly organized for the 2009 legislative session, which will reconvene Jan. 7.

“Sen. Leising’s experience and judgment will be vital this session as legislators work to balance the state budget, reduce property taxes, protect education funding and promote academic achievement, and continue job creation efforts statewide,” Long said.

Long said Senate leaders have worked in bipartisan fashion to combine “lawmakers’ talents and passions in order to protect taxpayers yet strengthen Indiana’s comeback.”

Introduced legislation often impacts various policy matters of state government, Long said. However, he offered snapshots of what issues Leising’s committees generally address each legislative session:

n Agriculture & Small Business: Considers legislation relating to Indiana’s small business, livestock and farming operations, including the regulation, production and distribution of agricultural products, soil conservation, storm water and drainage issues, the state fair and other related issues.

n Education: Reviews and crafts legislation relating to the financing , operating and staffing of Indiana’s 293 school corporations, including curriculum and graduation requirements, length of school year; the teaching profession, including licensing, certification and professional development; and higher education policy, including accountability, affordability and accessibility and other related issues.

n Health and Provider Services: Evaluates bills relating to health care industry generally, including health insurance, health care licensure issues, regulation of the medical professions and other health care matters, mental health, pharmaceuticals, the aging and disabled, temporary assistance for needy families and welfare, Medicaid and social service issues.

n Utilities and Technology: Crafts policies related to Indiana’s broad range of utilities, and ensuring that vital electric, water and wastewater, natural gas and communications utilities are adequate and accessible to Hoosiers statewide, as well as focusing on issues such as aging infrastructure and access to broadband.