Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) this week announced the chamber’s committee structure and assignments, combining a handful of panels to achieve a net reduction of three standing committees from the last legislative session. For the most part, committee chairs from the 131st General Assembly retained their posts, while Sen. Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) was named chair of the Public Utilities Committee and Sen. John Eklund (R-Chardon) was named chair of the Ways & Means Committee. See the committee structure and assignments.  1/31/2017