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Committee on Health adopts organizational rules and appoints staff in unanimous vote
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Summary
At a brief organizational meeting Jan. 16, 2025, the Committee on Health, chaired by Councilmember Christina Henderson, unanimously approved rules of procedure for council period 26 and appointed the committee’s staff.
The Committee on Health, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, unanimously approved committee rules and appointed staff at an organizational meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
The votes establish the committee’s rules of organization and procedure for council period 26, including notice requirements for regular and additional meetings and standards for hearings and roundtables, and confirm the committee director and legislative support staff. Henderson said the committee will prioritize behavioral health and substance-use resources, healthy food access, maternal health outcomes, health-care workforce shortages and school-based health services during the council period. She also noted the planned spring opening of the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center in Ward 8.
Under the first motion, the committee approved a resolution establishing the rules of organization and procedure for the Committee on Health for council period 26, with leave for staff to make technical changes in consultation with the Office of General Counsel. Henderson moved the measure; a second was not announced on the record. The committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor; the meeting transcript reflects members answering "aye." The vote tally was recorded as unanimous.
The second agenda item confirmed the committee’s staff. The resolution named Ona Bakas as committee director; Marcia Huff as senior policy analyst; Rebecca Cooper as health policy legislative analyst; and Ashley Strain as legislative assistant. Henderson moved the appointment resolution and again left technical edits to staff in consultation with general counsel. The committee voted unanimously to approve the staff appointments.
The meeting was brief: Henderson opened the first meeting of the Committee on Health for council period 26, moved the two organizational measures, and adjourned. The chair said the committee will continue its work in upcoming performance-oversight sessions.
Votes at a glance - Rules of organization and procedure for the Committee on Health (Resolution of 2025): Moved by Councilmember Christina Henderson; leave for staff to make technical changes in consultation with the Office of General Counsel; outcome: approved (unanimous). Resolution number: not specified. - Appointment of staff of the Committee on Health (Approval resolution of 2025): Moved by Councilmember Christina Henderson; named Ona Bakas (committee director), Marcia Huff (senior policy analyst), Rebecca Cooper (health policy legislative analyst), Ashley Strain (legislative assistant); outcome: approved (unanimous). Resolution number: not specified.
The meeting record shows no public comment and no substantive debate on either resolution. The chair closed the meeting and noted members will reconvene for performance oversight.
