U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, was appointed chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, effective when the Republican-led Congress convenes next year.

Texas Solicitor General James Ho announced that he is leaving the post he has held since 2008. He will go into private practice, though he says he does not yet know where. He's been commuting between Dallas and Austin for some time now.

The Mexican-American Legislative Caucus elected its officers: Trey Martinez-Fischer, D-San Antonio, chairman; Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, vice chairman; Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, secretary; Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, treasurer; and Veronica Gonzales, D-McAllen, general counsel.

Gov. Rick Perry named attorney Edward Vaughan of Bulverde chairman of the Texas Water Development Board.

Perry appointed Randy Watson of Burleson to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, or TCLOSE, which ensures Texans are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement. Watson is president and CEO of Justin Brands, a division of Berkshire Hathaway.

The Guv put Mario "Omar" Garcia on the board of the Texas Economic Development Corp. Garcia is vice president of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation.

Perry named Joe Grubbs of Waxahachie to the 378th District Court in Ellis County. Grubbs is currently the county and district attorney and is a former mayor of Waxahachie. He'll replace Al Scoggins, who's on his way to the 10th Court of Appeals in Waco.

Dan Wattles is the now the governmental relations director for the Texas Municipal Retirement System, succeeding Eddie Solis, who left that job for a new one at Hillco Partners. Wattles was the legislative coordinator at the State Auditor's Office before this.