Republican Ann Meyer, who was elected to the state House of Representatives last month, has been named the vice chairwoman of a legislative committee that handles health programs.

Meyer, of Fort Dodge, was appointed to the No. 2 position on the House Human Resources Committee by House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake. Upmeyer has announced the Republican committee assignments for the legislative session that will begin Jan. 14.

Another area lawmaker, state Rep. Rob Bacon, R-Slater, was named chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

State Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, was named vice chair of the Justice Systems Budget Subcommittee.

Meyer was elected Nov. 6 to replace retiring state Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge. She is a nursing instructor who emphasized health care and mental health issues during her campaign. Those issues fall under the jurisdiction of the House Human Resources Committee.

Meyer was also named to the Economic Growth, Education, and Transportation committees, plus the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee.

In addition to leading the Natural Resources Committee, Bacon will join Meyer on the Human Resources panel. He was also named to the Environmental Protection and State Government committees and Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee.

Sexton was named to the Agriculture, Appropriations, Environmental Protection and State Government committees. He is an assistant majority leader.