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Corlew named chair of House Judiciary Committee

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — House Speaker Todd Richardson has named state Rep. Kevin Corlew to chair the House Judiciary Committee for the 2018 legislative session. Corlew previously served as vice chair of the committee and will take on the duties of the chair after state Rep. Joe Don McGaugh vacated the position when he was appointed to be the Associate Circuit Judge in Carroll County.

In appointing Corlew to chair the committee, Richardson praised his outstanding service as vice chair of the committee and his legislative efforts to improve Missouri’s court system.

“Representative Corlew has been an incredible asset to the Judiciary Committee and will continue to make an outstanding leader for our efforts to improve our court system so that it is fairer for all parties,” said Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff.

Corlew

During the 2017 session, Corlew sponsored and passed legislation to protect Missourians from the use of junk science and questionable testimony provided by unqualified expert witnesses in court cases. Corlew sponsored HB 153 to implement the same expert witness standards that are used in all federal courts and in two-thirds of the states.

“The common-sense reforms we have put in place are meant to improve our civil and criminal justice systems, and to ensure that our courts are fair to all parties,” said Corlew, R-Kansas City. He added, “I look forward to continuing the good work we have done with respect to our court system.  It’s an honor to serve as the chair of the Judiciary Committee, and I’m excited to get to work with my fellow committee members.”

The House Judiciary Committee considers and reports upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the judicial branch of the state and the practices and procedures of the courts of this state, on matters pertaining to civil and administrative laws and procedures, and on matters relating to the ethics of public officials. As chair of the committee, Rep. Corlew will preside over committee hearings and be responsible for all legislation referred to the committee.

Corlew is in his second term as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives.  He represents the 14th legislative district comprised of parts of southeast Platte County and southwest Clay County, in the Kansas City metro area known as the Northland. In addition to his legislative duties, Representative Corlew is an attorney. His practice involves business litigation at a law firm in Kansas City.

In addition to his service as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Corlew chairs the 21st Century Missouri Transportation System Task Force.  He serves as a member of the House Rules Committee and the House Transportation Committee. He also serves as a member of the House Special Committee on Litigation Reform and the House Special Committee on Tax Policy for Working Families.