SALEM — Veteran Eastern Oregon Republican legislator Bill Hansell has been issued Oregon Senate committee assignments for the upcoming 2021 Legislature, according to a Thursday, Jan. 7, press release.

Hansell, entering his ninth year as a state senator, has been appointed to five committee assignments, including vice-chair of labor and business. Other committee assignments include redistricting, joint committee on ways and means, public safety subcommittee and transportation and economic development subcommittee.

“I’m excited about my committee assignments and honored to get to work on behalf of the voters of Northeast Oregon,” Hansell said. ”With COVID-19 recovery and budget cuts there are a lot of challenges ahead of Oregon, but I look forward to meeting those challenges head-on.”

Hansell represents Senate District 29, which comprises all of Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties, as well as parts of Wasco County.

The 2021 Oregon Legislature begins its session on Tuesday, Jan. 19.