OLYMPIA — State Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, will chair the new Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee in the Washington State House of Representatives in the New Year.

With his appointment just recently confirmed by the members of the House Democratic Caucus, McCoy will assume responsibilities for putting the committee gavel to work when the 2013 legislative session launches on the morning of Monday, Jan. 14.

In addition to the matters defined in its title, McCoy’s committee has dominion over issues involving veterans, tourism, and parks and recreation affairs.

“We will review topics ranging from accessibility and affordability of housing to state assistance for low-income housing, to rules and regulations for housing authorities, to the Housing Finance Commission itself,” McCoy said.

“I am very excited to help move our state forward on the exploration of these concerns and related issues,” added the recently re-elected legislator, who will be leaving his post as chair of the House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee.

McCoy will also be taking on the responsibilities of vice-chairing the House Environment Committee, which looks at topics involving air quality, aquatic lands, oil spill prevention, recycling and solid waste, hazardous waste, toxics, climate change, renewable energy standards, and energy availability, production and conservation. This committee maintains a close eye on what the Puget Sound Partnership is up to regarding Puget Sound and Hood Canal.

McCoy will keep his position on the House Education Committee.