A157 House of Deputies Rules on Legislative Committee Report Deadline
Resolved, the House of Deputies amends Rule VIII.C of its Rules of Order by adding a section 3 as follows:
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3. Deadline.
i. The Legislative Committee’s initial report for resolutions must be filed at least seven days before the start of the First Legislative Session unless:
a. the House adopts a different deadline in its order of business;
b. Two-thirds of the Committee votes to defer the report until the second legislative day; or
c. It is a late resolution submitted within thirty days of the first legislative day.
ii. If the House of Bishops modifies a Resolution or other matter, the Legislative Committee must file a new report within 24 hours of receiving the message from the House of Bishops.
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3. Deadline.
i. The Legislative Committee’s initial report for resolutions must be filed at least seven days before the start of the First Legislative Session unless:
a. the House adopts a different deadline in its order of business;
b. Two-thirds of the Committee votes to defer the report until the second legislative day; or
c. It is a late resolution submitted within thirty days of the first legislative day.
ii. If the House of Bishops modifies a Resolution or other matter, the Legislative Committee must file a new report within 24 hours of receiving the message from the House of Bishops.
Explanation
This amendment clarifies the submission deadlines for committee reports on resolutions, aligning it with the new process for earlier committee work. Previously, the absence of a deadline for committee reports led to delays in the publication and calendaring of resolutions. Consequently, deputies faced challenges in accessing timely information.
This represents a compromise to concerns we heard in the drafting process. The focus is to encourage most work to be conducted in advance, so time at convention can be focused on considering resolutions. But at the same time it allows the Committee themselves to defer consideration of a resolution to the Convention to meet in person if the Committee feels that the resolution needs and in-person hearing.
There is a tension between doing work in advance and leaving it for the in person period at Convention. What has been clear is that there is a limited time at the Convention and the House has a strong tradition of an open process.