The Idaho Senate has named all its committee chairs, and three are new: Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, will chair the Resources & Environment Committee; Sen. Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston, will chair the Local Government & Taxation Committee; and Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d'Alene, will chair the Transportation Committee. All other standing committee chairmanships remain the same as last year. The Senate is now working on committee assignments, and appears to be making substantial progress. In the House, the majority leadership is ensconced behind closed doors and there've been no announcements at all.