03/27/1993 08:00 AM House STA

  HCR 8:  COMMITTEE MEETINGS: NOTICE AND ACTION                                
                                                                               
  Number 141                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE JIM NORDLUND, PRIME SPONSOR OF HCR 8,                         
  restated his reasoning for introducing the resolution.  He                   
  stated HCR 8 is designed to clarify how bills are introduced                 
  and then acted upon in committees.  He stated the resolution                 
  would eliminate the confusion over jurisdiction of the five                  
  day and Thursday reporting rules by eliminating the five day                 
  rule.  He stated under the current system, the five day rule                 
  could be suspended, while the Thursday rule could not, and                   
  that is where the confusion appears to be starting.                          
                                                                               
  Number 224                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE OLBERG stated he could eliminate all the                      
  confusion over when a bill might fall under the five day                     
  rule, but not the Thursday reporting rule.  He stated the                    
  easy way to end the confusion was to eliminate Saturday                      
  meetings.  Committee members and staff cheered the                           
  suggestion.  The committee chair did not.                                    
                                                                               
  Number 242                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY believed there was a need to clarify when a                   
  legislative week starts, as well as when a bill should be                    
  scheduled.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Number 272                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE NORDLUND chose Thursday as the deadline                       
  because it would give members a four day notice for Monday                   
  meetings.                                                                    
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked why a five day "rolling" notice would                   
  not work.                                                                    
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE NORDLUND explained that would force the                       
  public and staff to check the schedule every day, as opposed                 
  to weekly.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Number 305                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE OLBERG liked the clarification being made                     
  under HCR 8, and expressed his support for the resolution.                   
                                                                               
  Number 321                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY preferred to see the committee defer action                   
  on HCR 8 so he and others might work on some sections.  He                   
  preferred a Friday deadline notice.                                          
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE NORDLUND also wanted to see some changes                      
  made, specifically in reference to the wavier of the                         
  Thursday rule, which he said could be built into section one                 
  of HCR 8.                                                                    
                                                                               
  Number 372                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted the time of 10:07 a.m. and asked the                    
  committee if it wanted to continue.  Members indicated they                  
  did.                                                                         
                                                                               
  Number 375                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE NORDLUND went on to explain section two of                    
  HCR 8 which not only allows full participation of                            
  representatives during a teleconference, but also allows                     
  committee members to sign a recommendation even if they did                  
  not attend the meeting.                                                      
                                                                               
  Number 414                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY was opposed to such a provision, because if                   
  it was made too easy for someone not to attend a meeting,                    
  they would not.   He also opposed allowing members to vote                   
  via teleconference, saying it would make it harder for                       
  committees to get a physical quorum in a room.                               
                                                                               
  Number 428                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE NORDLUND stated his intent to make it easier                  
  for members to get to their home districts while continuing                  
  their legislative work.  He said teleconference votes would                  
  make it far easier for rural members to do that.                             
                                                                               
  Number 447                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE NORDLUND then outlined section three of HCR
, saying he believed any legislation introduced by a                        
  committee should be done at the will of the majority of that                 
  committee.  He said the practice is generally being followed                 
  now, but that it should be put into the rules.                               
                                                                               
  Number 458                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted the time and suggested the committee                    
  defer action on HCR 8.                                                       
                                                                               
  Number 470                                                                   
                                                                               
  VICE CHAIR KOTT wanted to look closer at the provisions in                   
  section two of HCR 8.                                                        
                                                                               
  Number 500                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY had concerns over the requirement of a                        
  majority introducing bills.                                                  
                                                                               
  VICE CHAIR KOTT agreed.  He felt it ought to be the majority                 
  of a quorum, not the majority of the committee.  He stated                   
  such a standard could give the minority the ability to                       
  effectively shut a committee down.  He also felt HCR 8                       
  needed to be changed if it was to be passed by the Senate.                   
                                                                               
  ADJOURNMENT                                                                  
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted the time and adjourned the meeting at                   
  10:19 a.m.