A new House rule is expected to let more sunshine into an important — albeit unsexy — political process of deciding who serves on state task forces and other appointed groups that govern everything from water resources to health care.

In the past, the House speaker could make his picks without saying who he tapped for a particular committee. 

But under the rules adopted for this legislative session, the speaker will have to let House members know who he has nominated for or appointed to a task force, commission, working group or similar position. He will also have to publish a list of those individuals at least once a year.

Lawmakers say the change reflects a move toward greater transparency under new House Speaker Joe Souki’s leadership. The new rule was the only change they made to the speaker’s list of duties. 

Souki has only made one appointment so far this session, and it was well publicized. He was responsible for picking someone to serve on a committee that recommends candidates for the state water commission.

— Nathan Eagle