SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A little over a month away from the start of the next legislative session, there will be many new faces leading committees in the California Assembly.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas is shaking up the leadership positions at the California State Capitol, as he prepares for his first full-year in the position.

Diversity was a focal point for Rivas’ appointments, 23 women were appointed to leadership positions, including 14 women of color.

“The California State Assembly’s diversity is its greatest strength, and Speaker Rivas’ commitment to uplift Latino voices and lived experiences is a significant step toward maximizing the Legislature’s ability to deliver for everyone in our Golden State,” said Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, the chair of the California Latino Caucus, in a statement.

Every member of the Black Legislative Caucus, who is returning in 2025, will be in a leadership position.

“I thank Speaker Rivas for his commitment to ensuring Black Californians have a strong voice in the Legislature by appointing Black legislators to key leadership positions in the Assembly,” said Assemblymember Lori Wilson, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, in a statement.

However, in a move that shocked many around the capitol, Rivas removed Assemblymember Isaac Bryan as Majority Leader, replacing him with Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.

Bryan took over the role as Majority Leader when Rivas was sworn-in as speaker last June. The Culver City legislator was seen as a key Rivas ally during his drawn-out fight for the speakership with incumbent Anthony Rendon.

Bryan will chair the Natural Resources committee, which oversees bills focused on the environment and climate change.

Aguiar-Curry, a Democrat from Napa, will now be the second-in-command in the Assembly. She was previously appointed to be the Speaker pro Tempore right after Rivas was sworn-in.

“I’m really honored to have this job, because I’m going to think of every single one of them, whether they live in Northern California, Southern California, Central California, the coast, inland every single person is important to us,” Aguiar-Curry said.

In a less surprising move, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer is out as chair of the Public Safety committee.

Last legislative session, the Public Safety Committee received a lot of attention — and criticism — over their response to how to handle the fentanyl crisis.

Parents who’ve lost loved ones to overdoses campaigned for the committee to pass bills that would enhance penalties for fentanyl dealers, yet many of the proposed bills died in the committee. Only one bill that enhances penalties was signed into law last session.

Jones-Sawyer will be replaced by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, who is currently running to be the mayor of Sacramento.

Other notable changes:

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks is the new chair of the Appropriations committee. This is one of the most powerful positions in the Capitol, as any bill that requires a certain cost has to go through appropriations.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel will now oversee the Budget Committee. It will now be his job to work with the Senate leadership and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s staff on the state’s budget, which experienced a major deficit last year.

In his last legislative session, Assemblymember Jim Wood will serve as Speaker pro Tempore.

The next legislative session will begin on Jan. 3. These changes will go into effect on Jan. 22.

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