State Rep. Sherry Appleton has been chosen by her colleagues to chair the House committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs.

The panel is charged with considering issues on community development, veteran-related legislation, tourism and the government-to-government relationship of the state and Indian tribes. The committee also considers bills relating to housing, including the accessibility and affordability of housing, state assistance to low-income housing, housing authorities, and the Housing Finance Commission.

Appleton, a 23rd District lawmaker who previously was vice chairwoman of the committee, replaces former representative and now-Sen. John McCoy, who was appointed to the Senate after Sen. Nick Harper resigned.

Appleton’s elevation to the chair was not automatic; members of the majority party choose committee leaders based on merit, and her peers felt Appleton was best-suited for the job.

“It’s a cliché to say I’m honored to have been chosen, but it’s the truth,” said Appleton, D-Poulsbo.

“The issues we deal with in this committee don’t often make the headlines, but they are bedrock issues for our state, and the 23rd district,” she said.

In addition to chairing the Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee, Appleton will continue to serve on the House Capital Budget and Public Safety committees.

Besides her legislative duties, Appleton serves on the Washington State Council on Aging and sits on the board of the Office of Public Defense.

She was also recently appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to a third term on the Commission on Judicial Conduct. Appleton previously served two four-year terms beginning in 1995, and her new appointment comes after a 10-year hiatus.

The 60-day 2014 session of the Legislature started Jan. 13 in Olympia.

“We’re gearing up for a busy and productive 2014 session, and I’m looking forward to getting down to business,” Appleton said.