The Legislative Process: 76-1
COMMITTEE REVIEW
When a bill reaches a standing committee, the committee chairperson appoints a
subcommittee to review the bill in detail. When the review is completed, the
subcommittee reports its conclusions to the full committee. The committee
discusses the subcommittee's conclusions and makes recommendations to the full
chamber. The committee may recommend to pass the bill, or pass the bill with
amendments. The committee may also vote a bill to the floor without
recommendation. On occasion, the committee chairperson, or a specified number
of committee members, may decide to hold public hearings on a bill. At a
public hearing, any person may testify in favor of or in opposition to the
bill. Committee members' decisions on the bill may be affected by testimony
presented at a public hearing.
Under special circumstances, a committee may vote to suspend its rules,
eliminate the subcommittee process, and review a bill immediately. This occurs
infrequently.
A report of the committee's recommendation is filed with the Secretary of the
Senate or Chief Clerk of the House. The committee's report will appear in the
next day's journal of that chamber and any committee amendments the committee
files will appear in the next day's clipsheets.
Iowa General Assembly
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Last update: 1995
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