1     
HOUSE RESOLUTION AMENDING STANDING COMMITTEE

2     
RULES

3     
2015 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This resolution repeals and reenacts House standing committee rules.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This resolution:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     reorganizes standing committee rules;
14           ▸     clarifies and expands the powers of a chair to:
15               •     preserve order and decorum; and
16               •     adopt time restrictions for witnesses and presenters;
17          ▸     authorizes the speaker of the House to appoint a vice chair to standing committees;
18          ▸     requires a standing committee chair to enforce standing committee rules;
19          ▸     clarifies that review of legislation during a standing committee is subject to four
20     distinct phases:
21                    •     presentation by the sponsor;
22                    •     clarifying questions by committee members;
23                    •     public comment; and
24                    •     committee action; and
25          ▸     clarifies that privileged motions:
26               •     take precedence over non-privileged motions;
27               •     are to be accepted in a specified priority; and

28               •     except for a motion to adjourn, do not dispose of other pending motions.
29     Special Clauses:
30          None
31     Legislative Rules Affected:
32     ENACTS:
33          HR3-2-203
34          HR3-2-204
35          HR3-2-303
36          HR3-2-305
37          HR3-2-306
38          HR3-2-307
39          HR3-2-308
40          HR3-2-309
41          HR3-2-310
42          HR3-2-311
43          HR3-2-312
44          HR3-2-313
45          HR3-2-314
46          HR3-2-315
47          HR3-2-316
48          HR3-2-317
49          HR3-2-318
50          HR3-2-319
51          HR3-2-411
52          HR3-2-412
53          HR3-2-413
54          HR3-2-507
55          HR3-2-508
56          HR3-2-509
57          HR3-2-510
58          HR3-2-511

59          HR3-2-512
60     REPEALS AND REENACTS:
61          HR3-2-101
62          HR3-2-201
63          HR3-2-202
64          HR3-2-301
65          HR3-2-302
66          HR3-2-304
67          HR3-2-401
68          HR3-2-402
69          HR3-2-403
70          HR3-2-404
71          HR3-2-405
72          HR3-2-406
73          HR3-2-407
74          HR3-2-408
75          HR3-2-409
76          HR3-2-410
77          HR3-2-501
78          HR3-2-502
79          HR3-2-503
80          HR3-2-504
81          HR3-2-505
82          HR3-2-506
83     REPEALS:
84          HR3-2-102
85          HR3-2-103
86          HR3-2-104
87          HR3-2-601
88     

89     Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:

90          Section 1. HR3-2-101 is repealed and reenacted to read:
91     
Part 1. General Provisions

92          HR3-2-101. Definitions.
93          As used in this chapter:
94          (1) "Chair" means:
95          (a) the chair of a standing committee; or
96          (b) a standing committee member who is authorized to act as chair under HR3-2-202.
97          (2) "Committee" means a standing committee created under HR3-2-201.
98          (3) "Dispose of legislation" refers to a committee action that transfers ownership of
99     legislation to the House Rules Committee, to another standing committee, or to the House
100     floor.
101          (4) "Favorable recommendation" refers to a committee action that transfers ownership
102     of legislation to the House second reading calendar.
103          (5) "Legislation" means a Senate bill, House bill, Senate resolution, House resolution,
104     joint resolution, or concurrent resolution.
105          (6) "Majority vote" means a majority of a quorum as provided in HR3-2-203.
106          (7) "Original motion" means a non-privileged motion that is accepted by the chair
107     when no other motion is pending.
108          (8) "Pending motion" refers to a motion starting when a chair accepts a motion and
109     ending when the motion is withdrawn or when the chair calls for a vote on the motion.
110          (9) (a) "Privileged motion" means a procedural motion to adjourn, set a time to
111     adjourn, recess, end debate, extend debate, or limit debate.
112          (b) Privileged motions are not substitute motions.
113          (10) "Substitute motion" means a non-privileged motion that is made when a
114     non-privileged motion is pending.
115          (11) "Under consideration" means the time starting when a chair opens a discussion on
116     a subject or piece of legislation that is listed on a committee agenda and ending when the
117     committee disposes of the legislation, moves on to another item on the agenda, or adjourns.
118          Section 2. HR3-2-201 is repealed and reenacted to read:
119     
Part 2. Creation and Organization of House Standing Committees

120          HR3-2-201. Standing committees -- Creation.

121          (1) There are created the following standing committees:
122          (a) Business and Labor;
123          (b) Economic Development and Workforce Services;
124          (c) Education;
125          (d) Government Operations;
126          (e) Health and Human Services;
127          (f) House Rules;
128          (g) Judiciary;
129          (h) Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice;
130          (i) Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment;
131          (j) Political Subdivisions;
132          (k) Public Utilities and Technology;
133          (l) Revenue and Taxation; and
134          (m) Transportation.
135          (2) The members of the Retirement and Independent Entities Committee created in
136     Utah Code Section 63E-1-201 comprise a House standing committee.
137          Section 3. HR3-2-202 is repealed and reenacted to read:
138          HR3-2-202. Speaker to appoint committee members, chairs, and vice chairs.
139          (1) The speaker of the House shall appoint members of the House to each standing
140     committee.
141          (2) The speaker of the House shall appoint a chair to each standing committee.
142          (3) The speaker of the House may appoint a vice chair to each standing committee.
143          (4) A vice chair may perform the duties of a chair:
144          (a) as requested by the chair; or
145          (b) in the absence of the chair.
146          Section 4. HR3-2-203 is enacted to read:
147          HR3-2-203. Quorum requirements.
148          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a majority of a standing committee is a
149     quorum.
150          (2) In determining whether a quorum is present, the speaker, majority leader, majority
151     whip, assistant majority whip, House Rules Committee chair, Executive Appropriations

152     Committee chair, minority leader, minority whip, assistant minority whip, and the fourth
153     member of leadership from the minority party are not counted in determining a quorum for a
154     standing committee, except during the time that the representative is present at the meeting.
155          Section 5. HR3-2-204 is enacted to read:
156          HR3-2-204. Committee order of business.
157          Unless a standing committee chair, or a committee by majority vote, determines
158     otherwise, the order of business for a standing committee is:
159          (1) call to order by the chair;
160          (2) approval of the minutes of previous meetings;
161          (3) announcement of the agenda;
162          (4) announcement of time restrictions, if any, subject to the requirements of
163     HR3-2-304; and
164          (5) consideration of standing committee business.
165          Section 6. HR3-2-301 is repealed and reenacted to read:
166     
Part 3. Duties of the House Standing Committee Chair

167          HR3-2-301. Chair to enforce legislative rules and procedures.
168          The chair shall ensure the integrity of the standing committee process by enforcing
169     legislative rules and parliamentary procedure without delay.
170          Section 7. HR3-2-302 is repealed and reenacted to read:
171          HR3-2-302. Chair to set agenda -- Requirements.
172          The chair shall:
173          (1) set the agenda for a standing committee meeting; and
174          (2) ensure that legislation tabled by a standing committee is listed on a standing
175     committee agenda as required by HR3-2-408.
176          Section 8. HR3-2-303 is enacted to read:
177          HR3-2-303. Chair to post notice and agenda -- Notification to sponsors.
178          (1) The chair shall cause a public notice and agenda to be posted at least 24 hours
179     before each standing committee meeting as required under Utah Code Title 52, Chapter 4,
180     Open and Public Meetings Act.
181          (2) The chair shall notify the chief House sponsor or chief Senate sponsor of legislation
182     listed on an agenda of the time and place of the committee meeting in which the legislation will

183     be considered not less than 24 hours before the committee meeting.
184          Section 9. HR3-2-304 is repealed and reenacted to read:
185          HR3-2-304. Chair may direct order of agenda -- Time restrictions.
186          The chair, or a committee by majority vote, may adopt committee procedures and time
187     restrictions, including:
188          (1) directing the order of the agenda;
189          (2) directing the order in which a witness or presenter will be heard;
190          (3) directing the number or witnesses or presenters that will be heard; and
191          (4) limiting the time the committee will spend on:
192          (a) an item on the agenda; or
193          (b) an individual witness or presenter.
194          Section 10. HR3-2-305 is enacted to read:
195          HR3-2-305. Four phases when considering legislation.
196          Legislation under consideration by a standing committee is subject to four distinct
197     phases during a committee meeting:
198          (1) the sponsor's presentation as provided in HR3-2-306;
199          (2) clarifying questions as provided in HR3-2-307;
200          (3) public comment as provided in HR3-2-308; and
201          (4) committee action as provided in HR3-2-309.
202          Section 11. HR3-2-306 is enacted to read:
203          HR3-2-306. Sponsor presentation.
204          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), during the presentation phase, a committee
205     member may not amend legislation, substitute legislation, or dispose of legislation. All other
206     motions are in order during the presentation phase.
207          (2) During the presentation phase of a committee meeting, the chair may accept a
208     simple motion to amend legislation if the chair permits:
209          (a) committee questions and debate;
210          (b) public comment as provided in HR3-2-308;
211          (c) the sponsor of the legislation affected by the amendment to respond to the motion
212     to amend; and
213          (d) the committee member who made the motion to amend to have the final word on

214     the motion as required under HR3-2-313.
215          (3) During the presentation phase of a standing committee meeting, the chair shall:
216          (a) permit the chief House sponsor or chief Senate sponsor to present the sponsor's
217     legislation; and
218          (b) except as provided in Subsection (4), and at the election of a legislative sponsor,
219     permit persons who have expertise on the legislation to assist with the presentation as provided
220     in HR3-2-304.
221          (4) The chair may not permit:
222          (a) legislation to be presented if the legislative sponsor is not present; or
223          (b) legislative interns or legislative aides to present legislation.
224          Section 12. HR3-2-307 is enacted to read:
225          HR3-2-307. Clarifying questions.
226          (1) During the clarifying question phase, a committee member may not amend
227     legislation, substitute legislation, or dispose of legislation. All other motions are in order
228     during the clarifying questions phase.
229          (2) A chair shall allow members of the committee to ask the legislative sponsor
230     questions, provided that the questions help to clarify the intent or purpose of the legislation or
231     the meaning of the language of the legislation.
232          (3) The chair shall allow the legislative sponsor to respond to clarifying questions.
233          (4) The chair may allow, with the legislative sponsor's approval, a person authorized
234     under HR3-2-306 to respond to clarifying questions from members of the committee.
235          Section 13. HR3-2-308 is enacted to read:
236          HR3-2-308. Public comment.
237          (1) During the public comment phase, a committee member may not amend legislation,
238     substitute legislation, or dispose of legislation. All other motions are in order during the public
239     comment phase.
240          (2) During the public comment phase of a committee meeting:
241          (a) the chair, or a committee by majority vote, may limit the time an individual witness
242     or presenter speaks to a committee as authorized under HR3-2-304; and
243          (b) the chair, or the committee by majority vote, may terminate the public comment
244     phase at any time.

245          (3) Unless the chair, or a committee by majority vote, permits additional public
246     comment, once the public comment phase has ended only committee members, legislative
247     sponsors, staff, and those authorized under HR3-2-307 may address the committee.
248          Section 14. HR3-2-309 is enacted to read:
249          HR3-2-309. Committee action.
250          During the committee action phase, a committee member may make motions to amend
251     the legislation, to substitute the legislation, and to dispose of the legislation. All other motions
252     authorized by this chapter are in order during the committee action phase of a committee
253     meeting.
254          Section 15. HR3-2-310 is enacted to read:
255          HR3-2-310. Chair to preserve order -- Powers to preserve order.
256          (1) The chair shall preserve order and decorum during standing committee meetings
257     by:
258          (a) controlling outbursts and demonstrations; and
259          (b) ensuring that committee members, presenters, witnesses, and visitors act in a
260     dignified and respectful manner.
261          (2) To preserve order, the chair may:
262          (a) clear the committee room of any person who engages in disorderly conduct;
263          (b) recess a standing committee meeting; or
264          (c) request assistance from:
265          (i) the sergeant-at-arms; or
266          (ii) the Utah Highway Patrol.
267          Section 16. HR3-2-311 is enacted to read:
268          HR3-2-311. Chair to recognize committee members -- Remarks to be germane --
269     Committee members may make motions when recognized -- Permission to address
270     committee.
271          (1) The chair shall recognize a committee member who desires to speak to a subject
272     that is under consideration by a standing committee.
273          (2) Upon recognition by the chair, a committee member:
274          (a) shall ensure that the member's remarks are germane to the subject under
275     consideration; and

276          (b) may make a motion that is authorized by this chapter.
277          (3) Presenters, witnesses, visitors, staff, and committee members may not speak to a
278     standing committee unless recognized by the chair.
279          Section 17. HR3-2-312 is enacted to read:
280          HR3-2-312. Chair to accept all motions that are in order -- Once accepted, the
281     motion is pending.
282          (1) The chair shall accept a motion requested by a member of a standing committee
283     who has been properly recognized unless the motion is prohibited by this chapter or by
284     parliamentary procedure.
285          (2) To properly accept a motion, the chair shall:
286          (a) restate each verbal motion;
287          (b) identify the number of each written motion to amend or substitute legislation; and
288          (c) distribute copies of each written amendment or substitute to members of the
289     committee.
290          (3) When a chair properly accepts a motion under Subsection (2), the motion is
291     pending.
292          Section 18. HR3-2-313 is enacted to read:
293          HR3-2-313. Chair to allow response to motions before placing motions for a vote.
294          After a motion has been accepted, and before the chair places a motion for a vote, the
295     chair shall permit:
296          (1) members of the committee to ask the committee member who placed the motion
297     questions about the motion;
298          (2) members of the committee to debate the motion;
299          (3) the chief sponsor of the legislation that is affected by the motion to respond to the
300     motion; and
301          (4) the committee member who placed the motion to have the final word on the
302     motion.
303          Section 19. HR3-2-314 is enacted to read:
304          HR3-2-314. Chair to place motion for vote.
305          After the chair has permitted a committee member to sum on a motion as required
306     under HR3-2-313(4), the chair shall place the motion for a vote unless the motion is withdrawn

307     subject to the requirements of HR3-2-511.
308          Section 20. HR3-2-315 is enacted to read:
309          HR3-2-315. Chair to verbally announce vote on motions -- Motions pass with
310     majority vote of a quorum -- Exceptions.
311          (1) After a standing committee votes on a motion, the chair shall:
312          (a) determine whether the motion passed or failed;
313          (b) verbally announce that the motion passed or that the motion failed; and
314          (c) if the vote on the motion is not unanimous, verbally identify by name either the
315     committee members who voted "yes" or the committee members who voted "no."
316          (2) Unless otherwise specifically indicated in this chapter, motions pass with a majority
317     vote of a quorum as defined in HR3-2-203.
318          Section 21. HR3-2-316 is enacted to read:
319          HR3-2-316. Chair may direct a roll call vote.
320          Although most motions will be determined by a voice vote, the chair, or a committee by
321     majority vote, may direct a roll call vote.
322          Section 22. HR3-2-317 is enacted to read:
323          HR3-2-317. Chair to decide points of order -- Committee may appeal chair's
324     decision.
325          (1) A chair shall rule on a point of order without committee discussion or debate.
326          (2) As provided in HR3-2-506, a committee member may:
327          (a) make a point of order; or
328          (b) appeal the decision of the chair.
329          Section 23. HR3-2-318 is enacted to read:
330          HR3-2-318. Chair to send standing committee reports to the House.
331          (1) When a standing committee approves a motion to dispose of legislation under the
332     requirements of HR3-2-408 or HR3-2-403, the chair shall, no later than the next legislative
333     day, submit to the chief clerk of the House:
334          (a) the official version of the legislation; and
335          (b) a committee report, signed by the chair, describing the committee's action.
336          (2) (a) A committee member who dissents from a motion to dispose of legislation may
337     request to be listed by name on the committee report.

338          (b) If a committee member requests to be listed by name on a committee report, the
339     committee report shall include the name of the committee member.
340          (3) If, for any reason, the chair does not submit a committee report to the chief clerk of
341     the House as required in Subsection (1), the chief clerk of the House shall ensure that the
342     official version of the legislation and the committee report are submitted before the end of the
343     second legislative day after the legislation was acted on by a standing committee.
344          Section 24. HR3-2-319 is enacted to read:
345          HR3-2-319. Chair to ensure integrity of minutes -- Retention of minutes --
346     Content requirements.
347          (1) The chair shall:
348          (a) ensure that a secretary takes minutes of standing committee meetings;
349          (b) present the minutes to the committee for approval; and
350          (c) send the approved minutes to the office of the chief clerk of the House.
351          (2) The chief clerk of the House shall retain committee minutes for three years.
352          (3) The chair shall ensure that committee minutes comply with the requirements of
353     Utah Code Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act.
354          (4) The chair shall ensure that committee minutes include:
355          (a) the date, time, and place of each committee meeting;
356          (b) a list of committee members present;
357          (c) each motion made;
358          (d) the vote on each motion;
359          (e) points of order; and
360          (f) the outcome of each appeal of the decision of the chair.
361          Section 25. HR3-2-401 is repealed and reenacted to read:
362     
Part 4. Duties of the House Standing Committee

363          HR3-2-401. Standing committee review required -- Exceptions.
364          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), the House of Representatives may not pass a
365     bill, joint resolution, or concurrent resolution during the annual general session unless a House
366     standing committee has given a favorable recommendation to the legislation.
367          (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to:
368          (a) a resolution regarding legislative rules or legislative personnel;

369          (b) legislation that has been approved by a unanimous vote of an interim committee;
370          (c) the revisor's statute; or
371          (d) if the legislation was reviewed and approved by the Executive Appropriations
372     Committee, legislation that:
373          (i) exclusively appropriates money;
374          (ii) amends Utah Code Title 53A, Chapter 17a, Minimum School Program Act;
375          (iii) amends Utah Code Title 67, Chapter 22, State Officer Compensation; or
376          (iv) authorizes the issuance of general obligation or revenue bonds.
377          Section 26. HR3-2-402 is repealed and reenacted to read:
378          HR3-2-402. Standing committee review of legislation with a fiscal impact.
379          Except as provided in HR3-2-401, a standing committee in one or both houses shall
380     review legislation before the legislation is held in the opposite house because of its fiscal
381     impact.
382          Section 27. HR3-2-403 is repealed and reenacted to read:
383          HR3-2-403. Standing committee duties -- Consider legislation in a reasonable time
384     -- Dispose of legislation.
385          When a committee has completed its review of legislation, a standing committee shall
386     dispose of the legislation by:
387          (1) returning the legislation to the House Rules Committee;
388          (2) tabling the legislation, subject to the requirements of HR3-2-408;
389          (3) recommending that the legislation be read a second time and placed on the third
390     reading calendar; or
391          (4) referring the legislation to a different standing committee.
392          Section 28. HR3-2-404 is repealed and reenacted to read:
393          HR3-2-404. Motions to lift from the table, hold, amend, or substitute legislation.
394          In addition to the actions listed in HR3-2-403(2), a standing committee may approve
395     one or more of the following motions on a single piece of legislation:
396          (1) hold the legislation;
397          (2) move to the next item on an agenda;
398          (3) amend the legislation, subject to the requirements of HR3-2-406;
399          (4) substitute the legislation, subject to the requirements of HR3-2-407; or

400          (5) lift legislation from the table, subject to the requirements of HR3-2-408.
401          Section 29. HR3-2-405 is repealed and reenacted to read:
402          HR3-2-405. Consent calendar.
403          (1) A standing committee may recommend that legislation in its possession be placed
404     on the consent calendar if:
405          (a) the committee approves a motion, by a unanimous vote, that the legislation be read
406     a second time and placed on the third reading calendar;
407          (b) immediately subsequent to that action, the chief sponsor requests that the
408     legislation be placed on the consent calendar; and
409          (c) in a separate motion and vote, the committee unanimously approves the sponsor's
410     request to place the legislation on the consent calendar instead of the second or third reading
411     calendar.
412          (2) If, in accordance with HR3-1-102, the House Rules Committee forwards a
413     summary report from the Occupational and Professional Licensure Review Committee in
414     conjunction with legislation referred to a standing committee, the chair shall ensure that the
415     summary report is read orally to the committee before action is taken by the committee on the
416     legislation that is related to the summary report.
417          Section 30. HR3-2-406 is repealed and reenacted to read:
418          HR3-2-406. Amending legislation -- Amendments must be germane.
419          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2), and if recognized by the chair during the
420     committee action phase, a committee member may make a motion to amend the legislation that
421     is under consideration.
422          (b) (i) A committee member may propose a verbal amendment to the legislation under
423     consideration if the amendment contains 25 or fewer words.
424          (ii) Before proposing a motion to amend, a committee member shall ensure that a
425     proposed amendment that contains more than 25 words is printed and distributed to committee
426     staff and to all committee members present.
427          (2) (a) A committee member may only make a motion to amend that is germane to the
428     subject of the legislation under consideration.
429          (b) A committee member who believes that an amendment is not germane to the
430     subject of the legislation may make a point of order or appeal as described in HR3-2-506.

431          Section 31. HR3-2-407 is repealed and reenacted to read:
432          HR3-2-407. Substitute legislation -- Substitutes must be germane.
433          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), and if recognized by the chair during the
434     committee action phase, a committee member may make a motion to substitute legislation that
435     is under consideration.
436          (2) (a) A committee member may only make a motion to substitute that is germane to
437     the subject of the legislation under consideration.
438          (b) A committee member who believes that an amendment is not germane to the
439     subject of the legislation may make a point of order or appeal as described in HR3-2-507.
440          Section 32. HR3-2-408 is repealed and reenacted to read:
441          HR3-2-408. Legislation tabled in a standing committee -- Requirements.
442          (1) If legislation is tabled, the chair shall list the tabled legislation on the committee
443     agenda for the next committee meeting.
444          (2) At the next committee meeting, the committee may, by a two-thirds vote, lift the
445     tabled legislation from the table.
446          (3) If a motion to lift tabled legislation is successful, the standing committee may make
447     any motion on the legislation that is authorized under this chapter.
448          (4) (a) If legislation is tabled by a committee and the legislation is not lifted from the
449     table at the committee's next meeting, the committee chair shall submit a committee report to
450     the chief clerk of the House informing the House that the legislation was tabled.
451          (b) After reading the committee report on the tabled legislation, the chief clerk of the
452     House shall send the tabled legislation to the House Rules Committee for filing.
453          Section 33. HR3-2-409 is repealed and reenacted to read:
454          HR3-2-409. Reconsideration of action.
455          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), and if recognized by the chair, a committee
456     member may make a motion to reconsider the committee's action on legislation if the
457     legislation is:
458          (a) in the possession of the standing committee; and
459          (b) listed on the committee agenda as required by Utah Code Title 52, Chapter 4, Open
460     and Public Meetings Act.
461          (2) A standing committee may not reconsider its action on a piece of legislation:

462          (a) more than once; and
463          (b) until the committee has considered other committee business.
464          Section 34. HR3-2-410 is repealed and reenacted to read:
465          HR3-2-410. Testimony may be taken under oath.
466          (1) At the direction of the chair, or upon a majority vote of the committee, the
467     testimony of a witness, presenter, or visitor who speaks to a committee may be taken under
468     oath.
469          (2) The chair or committee staff shall administer the oath.
470          Section 35. HR3-2-411 is enacted to read:
471          HR3-2-411. Additional standing committee meetings.
472          With permission from the speaker of the House, a chair may hold a committee meeting
473     independent of regularly scheduled committee meetings on:
474          (1) a single piece of legislation; or
475          (2) the subject of two or more pieces of legislation.
476          Section 36. HR3-2-412 is enacted to read:
477          HR3-2-412. Closed standing committee meetings.
478          A standing committee may close a committee meeting in accordance with the
479     procedures and requirements of Utah Code Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act.
480          Section 37. HR3-2-413 is enacted to read:
481          HR3-2-413. Prohibited from meeting while House is in session -- Exceptions.
482          (1) A standing committee may not meet while the House is in session unless:
483          (a) the chair receives permission from the speaker to meet; or
484          (b) a majority of the House approves a motion for the committee to meet while the
485     House is in session.
486          (2) Unless a committee is authorized to meet as provided in Subsection (1), any action
487     taken by a committee while the House is in session is invalid.
488          Section 38. HR3-2-501 is repealed and reenacted to read:
489     
Part 5. Standing Committee Parliamentary Procedures

490          HR3-2-501. Obtaining the floor in committee -- Remarks to be germane.
491          (1) As required in HR3-2-311, a chair shall recognize a committee member who
492     desires to speak to the committee.

493          (2) A committee member who is recognized by the chair may make a motion consistent
494     with the requirements of this chapter.
495          (3) A second to a motion is not required.
496          Section 39. HR3-2-502 is repealed and reenacted to read:
497          HR3-2-502. Committee members shall vote.
498          A committee member shall vote on every motion placed for a vote while the committee
499     member is present at a meeting.
500          Section 40. HR3-2-503 is repealed and reenacted to read:
501          HR3-2-503. Privileged motions in committee -- General requirements, procedure,
502     and priority.
503          (1) Privileged motions:
504          (a) are non-debatable; and
505          (b) take precedence over non-privileged motions.
506          (2) If a privileged motion is requested while another privileged motion is pending, the
507     chair shall grant priority to the privileged motions in the following order:
508          (a) adjourn;
509          (b) set time to adjourn;
510          (c) recess;
511          (d) end debate or call the question;
512          (e) extend debate; and
513          (f) limit debate.
514          (3) Except for a motion to adjourn, a privileged motion, if adopted, does not dispose of
515     other pending motions.
516          Section 41. HR3-2-504 is repealed and reenacted to read:
517          HR3-2-504. Original motions in committee -- General requirements, procedure,
518     and priority.
519          (1) Original motions:
520          (a) are debatable; and
521          (b) may be replaced with a substitute motion.
522          (2) A committee member may not make an original motion if:
523          (a) a privileged motion is pending; or

524          (b) a substitute motion is pending.
525          Section 42. HR3-2-505 is repealed and reenacted to read:
526          HR3-2-505. Substitute motions in committee -- General requirements, procedure,
527     and priority.
528          (1) Substitute motions:
529          (a) are debatable; and
530          (b) take precedence over original motions.
531          (2) (a) A committee member may make a substitute motion if an original motion is
532     pending.
533          (b) A committee member may not make a substitute motion if:
534          (i) a privileged motion is pending; or
535          (ii) another substitute motion is pending.
536          (c) If a substitute motion is adopted, a substitute motion disposes of the original
537     motion.
538          (d) If a substitute motion is not adopted, the original motion is pending.
539          Section 43. HR3-2-506 is repealed and reenacted to read:
540          HR3-2-506. Reserve the right to make a motion.
541          (1) Once recognized by the chair, a committee member may not make a motion after
542     speaking to the committee unless the chair has first specifically granted the committee member
543     permission to reserve the right to make a motion.
544          (2) If the chair has granted a committee member the right to make a motion as required
545     in Subsection (1), the committee member's remarks shall be confined to the subject of the
546     motion to be made.
547          (3) A committee member may only reserve the right to make a motion to:
548          (a) amend the legislation being debated; or
549          (b) substitute the legislation being debated.
550          Section 44. HR3-2-507 is enacted to read:
551          HR3-2-507. Point of order -- Appeal of chair's decision.
552          (1) A point of order is not a motion and, except during a vote, may be made by a
553     member of a standing committee at any time during a committee meeting.
554          (2) If a member of a standing committee is concerned that legislative rules or

555     procedures are not being followed, the committee member may make a point of order.
556          (3) When a point of order is made, the chair shall immediately allow the committee
557     member to state the member's point.
558          (4) A chair shall rule on the point of order without committee discussion or debate as
559     provided in HR3-2-315.
560          (5) An appeal of the decision of the chair is not a motion and may be made by a
561     committee member after the chair has ruled on a point of order.
562          (6) A standing committee may, by majority vote, override the decision of the chair on a
563     point of order.
564          (a) If the committee overrides the decision of the chair, the ruling of a committee is
565     final.
566          (b) If a committee does not override the decision of the chair, the ruling of a chair is
567     final.
568          Section 45. HR3-2-508 is enacted to read:
569          HR3-2-508. Point of information.
570          (1) A point of information is not a motion and, except during summation or a vote,
571     may be made by a member of a standing committee at any time during a committee meeting.
572          (2) If a member of a standing committee desires clarification on any aspect of a
573     committee meeting, the committee member may make a point of information.
574          (3) When a point of information is made, the chair shall immediately allow the
575     committee member to state the point.
576          Section 46. HR3-2-509 is enacted to read:
577          HR3-2-509. Division of a motion.
578          (1) A division is not a motion and, except during a vote, may be made by a member of
579     a standing committee at any time during a committee meeting without being recognized by the
580     chair.
581          (2) The committee member who divides a motion shall clearly state how the motion is
582     to be divided.
583          (3) A committee member may not divide a motion to amend legislation in such a
584     manner that could create an unintelligible or ambiguous result.
585          Section 47. HR3-2-510 is enacted to read:

586          HR3-2-510. Prohibited motions.
587          (1) (a) Except for a motion to adjourn, a committee member may not make a motion
588     unless a quorum of the standing committee is present.
589          (b) When a quorum is not present, a motion to adjourn is passed with a majority vote
590     of those present.
591          (2) No motion is in order during a vote.
592          (3) A point of order is not in order during a vote.
593          (4) A committee member may not make a motion to:
594          (a) strike the enacting clause of legislation;
595          (b) strike the resolving clause of a resolution;
596          (c) circle legislation; or
597          (d) place legislation on a time certain calendar.
598          Section 48. HR3-2-511 is enacted to read:
599          HR3-2-511. Repeating defeated motion.
600          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a motion that is defeated may not be made by
601     a committee member until the committee has considered other committee business.
602          (2) A motion to postpone legislation to a day certain, to postpone legislation
603     indefinitely, or to return legislation to the House Rules Committee, if defeated, may not be
604     made again by any committee member during the same committee meeting.
605          Section 49. HR3-2-512 is enacted to read:
606          HR3-2-512. A motion may be withdrawn.
607          A committee member who makes a motion may withdraw that motion at any time
608     before the motion is placed for a vote.
609          Section 50. Repealer.
610          This resolution repeals:
611          HR3-2-102, Standing committee review required -- Exceptions.
612          HR3-2-103, Standing committee review of legislation with fiscal impact.
613          HR3-2-104, Standing committees prohibited from meeting while House is in
614     session -- Exceptions.
615          HR3-2-601, Committee reports.







Legislative Review Note
     as of 2-2-15 8:33 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel