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House Study Bill 16 - Introduced
An Act 1relating to permanent rules of the House
2of Representatives for the Eighty-eighth General
3Assembly.
4BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That
5the permanent rules of the House for the Eighty-seventh
6 Eighty-eighth General Assembly be as follows:
7DIVISION I — GENERAL RULES
8Rule 1
9Call to Order and Order of Business
10The speaker shall take the chair at the hour to
11which the house has adjourned, and shall immediately
12call the house to order, correct the journal of the
13previous day’s proceedings, and proceed to other
14business, including, but not limited to, introduction
15of bills, reports, messages, communications, business
16pending at adjournment, announcements, resolutions
17and bills on their passage, and points of personal
18privilege.
19Rule 2
20Quorum Call and Time of Convening
21The house shall convene each Monday at 1:00 p.m.
22and at 8:30 a.m.on all other legislative days, unless
23otherwise ordered. The time of convening shall be
24recorded in the journal. The house shall not convene
25on Sunday during a regular or special session.
26The speaker or a member may request a roll call to
27determine if a quorum is present.
28Rule 3
-1-1Absences from the House
2No member shall be absent without leave while the
3house is in session unless excused for good cause.
4Rule 4
5Preservation of Order
6The speaker shall preserve order and decorum and
7speak to points of order. Subject to an appeal to the
8house by any member, the speaker shall decide questions
9of order which shall not be debated.
10While recognized to speak in debate, a member
11shall not use any visual aids to explain to others the
12member’s points in the debate without leave of the
13speaker.
14The speaker may have the chamber of the house
15cleared in case of any disturbance or disorderly
16conduct.
17Only past legislators, state officials, persons
18whose presence is deemed by the speaker to be of
19special significance to the house, and school classes
20accompanied by teachers and seated in the galleries
21shall be introduced in the house.
22No person other than a member of the house shall be
23allowed to speak from the floor of the house without
24prior permission of the speaker.
25The public may take photographs from the galleries
26at any time. However, the use of flash bulbs or any
27other artificial lighting is prohibited.
28Members of the press may photograph from the press
29box, but shall not use artificial lighting without
30prior permission from the chief clerk of the house.
-2-1Photographs shall not be taken on the house floor when
2the members are voting on a question put before the
3house. Photographs or video recordings of the voting
4boards shall not be taken while a nonrecord roll call
5vote is displayed. Photographs may be taken on the
6house floor at other times with the consent of the
7subject or subjects of the photography.
8Rule 4A
9Use of Electronic Devices and Video Streaming in
10Chamber
111. A person present in the house chamber while the
12house is in order shall mute any cell phone, computer,
13or other electronic device under the person’s control.
14The speaker may remove from the chamber any person
15acting in violation of this rule.
162. A member shall not use a cell phone or other
17electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
18communications while recognized by the presiding
19officer to speak in debate.
203. The speaker shall control the time, place,
21and manner of use of the house’s internet video
22streaming system on the floor of the house and in the
23visitors’ galleries. However, the speaker shall not
24edit, censor, or shut off the house’s internet video
25streaming system during debate on the floor of the
26house.
27Rule 5
28Rules of Parliamentary Practice
29The rules of parliamentary practice in Mason’s
30Manual of Legislative Procedure shall govern the house
-3-1in all cases where they are not inconsistent with the
2standing rules of the house, joint rules of the house
3and senate, or customary practice of the house.
4Rule 5A
5House Budget
6The speaker of the house shall annually prepare a
7proposed budget for the house of representatives for
8the payment of expenses, salaries, per diems, and other
9items. The proposed budget shall be submitted on the
10fourteenth day of each legislative session to the house
11administration and rules committee, which shall approve
12a proposed budget in house resolution form. The house
13shall adopt a budget prior to adjournment.
14Rule 6
15The Speaker Pro Tempore
16The house shall, at its pleasure, elect a speaker
17pro tempore. When the speaker shall for any cause be
18absent, the speaker pro tempore shall preside, except
19when the chair is filled by appointment by either
20the speaker or the speaker pro tempore. If a vacancy
21occurs in the office of speaker, the speaker pro
22tempore shall assume the duties and responsibilities
23of the speaker until such time as the house shall elect
24a new speaker. The speaker or the speaker pro tempore
25shall have the right to name any member to perform the
26duties of speaker, but such substitution shall not
27extend beyond the adjournment. The acts of the speaker
28pro tempore shall have the same validity as those of
29the speaker. In the absence of both the speaker and
30the speaker pro tempore, the house shall name a speaker
-4-1who shall preside over it and perform all the duties of
2the speaker with the exception of signing bills, until
3such time as the speaker or speaker pro tempore shall
4be present, and the person’s acts shall have the same
5force and validity as those of the regularly elected
6speaker.
7Rule 7
8Amendment of Rules
9A motion to change or rescind a standing rule or
10order of the house requires one day’s notice.
11Rule 8
12Violation of House Rules
13The speaker shall, or any member may, call to order
14a member who violates the rules of the house. With
15leave of the house, the member called to order may be
16permitted to explain. If the case requires it, the
17member shall be subject to censure of the house.
18Rule 9
19Referral of Rule Violations
20The speaker shall, upon complaint of a member,
21or upon the speaker’s own motion, refer any alleged
22violation of house or joint rules by house members,
23employees or staff to the house ethics committee upon
24an initial finding that an investigation is warranted.
25The ethics committee shall investigate such
26allegations and report them back to the house with a
27recommendation.
28Rule 10
29Recognition and Decorum in Debate
30A member who wishes to speak in debate shall be
-5-1appropriately attired, with male members wearing coat
2or tie. After recognition by the chair, a member
3shall respectfully address the presiding officer
4by saying “Mr.or Madam Speaker”. A member shall
5confine all remarks to the question under debate,
6shall be respectful of other members, and shall avoid
7referencing or questioning the motives of another
8member.
9Rule 11
10Limit on Debate
11No member shall speak more than once on the same
12question without leave of the speaker, nor more than
13twice until every member choosing to speak has spoken,
14except as provided in Rule 81. A member shall be
15limited to ten minutes debate on bills, resolutions,
16and amendments, but may be granted an extension of time
17by consent of the house. However, the floor manager
18of a bill or resolution and the lead sponsor of an
19amendment may exceed the ten-minute limit on opening
20and closing remarks.
21Rule 12
22Decorum During Debate
23No member shall leave the house while the speaker
24is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
25speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
26have been recognized by the speaker.
27Rule 13
28Stating the Question
29When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the
30speaker. A motion made in writing shall be passed to
-6-1the speaker’s station before it is debated.
2Rule 14
3Putting the Question
4Questions shall be distinctly put in this form:
5“All those in favor of (the question) shall say ‘aye’;”
6and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “All
7those opposed to (the question) shall say ‘no’.”
8 If the speaker is in doubt or a member of the house
9requests, a nonrecord roll call vote shall be taken.
10DIVISION II — EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
11Rule 15
12Chief Clerk of the House
13The chief clerk of the house shall serve as
14parliamentarian and chief administrative officer of the
15house under the direction of the speaker of the house.
16The chief clerk shall supervise the chief clerk’s
17office; be responsible for the custody and safekeeping
18of all bills, resolutions, and amendments filed,
19except when they are in the custody of a committee;
20have charge of the daily journal; have control of all
21rooms assigned for the use of the house; attest to the
22accuracy and correctness of text and action on bills
23and resolutions; process the handling of amendments
24when filed and during the floor consideration of bills;
25insert adopted amendments into bills before transmittal
26to the senate and prior to final enrollment; supervise
27legislative printing and the distribution of printed
28material; and perform all other duties pertaining to
29the office of the chief clerk.
30Rule 16
-7-1Legislative and Session Days
2For purposes of these rules, a legislative day is a
3day when the house is called to order. A legislative
4day that runs past midnight is not considered a new
5legislative day. A session day is any calendar day
6beginning with the convening of the annual regular
7session and ending with adjournment sine die.
8Rule 17
9Sergeant-At-Arms
10The sergeant-at-arms shall execute all orders of
11the house and the presiding officer; perform all
12assigned duties related to the policing and good order
13of the house; supervise the entrance and exit of all
14persons to and from the chamber; promptly execute all
15messages, etc.; provide that the chamber is properly
16ventilated and open for the use of the members; and
17perform all other services pertaining to the office of
18sergeant-at-arms.
19Rule 18
20Secretaries
21Each member may hire a secretary for the legislative
22session who shall be under the general direction of the
23member and the chief clerk. Secretaries shall be on
24duty at the house from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.Monday
25through Thursday and on other legislative days when
26required by the chief clerk, except when excused by the
27member for whom the secretary works. Secretaries shall
28perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
29member or the chief clerk.
30Rule 19
-8-1Extra Compensation of Employees
2No employee shall receive any extra compensation,
3except as provided by the house, or tips for services
4performed while on duty. Any violation of this rule
5shall be grounds for removal.
6DIVISION III — VISITORS AND LOBBYISTS
7Rule 20
8Admission to the House; Lobbying
9The chamber of the house shall include the
10vestibule, restrooms, bill room, lounge, visitors’
11galleries, and floor of the house.
12The floor of the house shall consist of the
13area between the north and south walls, including
14the representatives’ desks, the press box, and the
15speaker’s station, but excluding the visitors’
16galleries.
17During a legislative day while the house is in
18order, no member of the general assembly or legislative
19employee or intern shall be admitted to the floor of
20the house if attired in jeans of any color without
21leave of the speaker.
22During a legislative day while the house is in
23order, and one-half hour before the house convenes and
24one-half hour after the house recesses or adjourns,
25no person shall be admitted to the floor of the house
26except:
271. Members of the general assembly and authorized
28legislative employees in the performance of their
29duties.
302. Former members of the general assembly who are
-9-1not registered lobbyists.
23. A general assembly member’s family.
34. Representatives of the press, radio, and
4television who shall go directly to and from the press
5box.
65. Legislative interns registered with the chief
7clerk who shall go directly to and from the seat of
8their assigned representative or to be seated in the
9perimeter seating area.
106. Designated representatives of a political party
11having members serving in the house.
127. Members of the state executive council, the
13lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
14governor’s executive assistants and administrative
15assistants, and the administrative rules coordinator,
16all of whom shall be confined to the perimeter area.
17The current status of former members of the general
18assembly shall govern their access to the floor under
19these rules.
20No other persons shall be allowed on the house floor
21while the house is in order without permission of the
22presiding officer of the house. When the house is not
23in order, guests of a member of the general assembly
24escorted by that member shall be allowed on the house
25floor.
26No person admitted to the floor of the house while
27the house is in order, except members of the general
28assembly, shall lobby or attempt to exercise any
29influence with any member for or against any matter
30then pending or that may thereafter be considered by
-10-1the house.
2A registered lobbyist shall not be admitted to
3the floor of the house on any legislative day except
4for ceremonial purposes or for attendance at public
5hearings.
6A lobbyist who represents the position of a state
7government agency, in which the person serves or is
8employed as the designated representative for purposes
9of encouraging the passage or defeat of legislation,
10shall file with the chief clerk of the house a
11statement of the general subjects of legislation in
12which the lobbyist is or may be interested, but shall
13not lobby for or against a bill, resolution, or study
14bill unless the lobbyist does so with the written
15authorization and on behalf of a statewide elected
16or retained official. The official’s writing may
17authorize the lobbyist to register and lobby for or
18against any or all bills in which the lobbyist is
19or may be interested or may restrict the lobbyist
20to register and lobby for or against only some bills
21in which the lobbyist is or may be interested. The
22written authorizations shall be filed with the chief
23clerk, according to a procedure established by the
24clerk for the filing of the authorizations and for
25making them available to the public, by the following
26statewide elected or retained official for the
27following offices, departments, agencies, and branch:
28By the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary
29of state, and treasurer of state, for their respective
30offices.
-11- 1By the secretary of agriculture, for the department
2of agriculture and land stewardship.
3By the chairperson of the ethics and campaign
4disclosure board, for the executive director, legal
5counsel, and other employees of the board.
6By the governor, for all other executive branch
7offices and departments.
8By the chief justice of the supreme court, for the
9judicial branch.
10Each member, employee of the house, and registered
11lobbyist may report violations of this rule immediately
12to the sergeant-at-arms or the chief clerk.
13Any person for cause may be summarily dismissed
14from the chamber of the house, by action of the house,
15and may forfeit that person’s right to admission
16thereafter.
17Rule 20A
18Legislative Interns
19A member may appoint one or more interns who shall
20register with the chief clerk. Only one legislative
21intern per member of the house is allowed on the floor
22of the house at any one time.
23Rule 21
24Distribution of Literature and Other Items
25No person except a member or employee of the house
26of representatives shall distribute or cause to be
27distributed any pamphlets, material, or other printed
28literature, or any other items to the members’ desks
29in the house without authorization. An employee
30of the house shall generally distribute or cause
-12-1to be distributed such literature or items only on
2behalf of the employee’s office or staff. Items which
3are permissible gifts under chapter 68B of the Code
4may be distributed to the members’ desks with the
5authorization of the chief clerk.
6All copies of pamphlets, material, or printed
7literature distributed by a member or employee of the
8house of representatives shall bear the name of the
9member or employee’s office or staff.
10Other distributions of pamphlets, material, or
11other printed literature shall bear their source of
12origin and be distributed through the legislative
13post office or to the members’ desks by completing
14a form containing a member’s or the chief clerk’s
15authorization, with the authorization form filed with
16the chief clerk. The authorization form shall be
17retained for a reasonable time period by the chief
18clerk.
19Rule 22
20Distribution of Materials Printed by the State
21A member of the house shall not distribute maps,
22books, and pamphlets which have been printed by the
23state of Iowa and upon which the name of the member
24of the house has been affixed unless the member has
25purchased the materials or unless the member has
26affixed the words “Paid for by the citizens of Iowa and
27distributed by representative (member’s name).”
28DIVISION IV — FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR BILLS AND OTHER
29DOCUMENTS
30Rule 23
-13-1Documents Signed by the Speaker
2All acts and joint resolutions shall be signed by
3the speaker, and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas
4issued by order of the house, shall be signed by the
5speaker and attested by the chief clerk. The speaker
6shall cause certificates of recognition or condolence
7to be issued by the house which shall be signed by
8the speaker and the chief clerk. The chief clerk
9shall maintain a list of certificates issued including
10the name of the requesting member of the house, the
11name of the recipient, the reason for recognition or
12condolence, and the date of issuance.
13Rule 24
14Presentation of Petitions
15All petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed
16to the house shall be signed by the member and filed
17with the chief clerk. The receipt of petitions shall
18be noted in the journal and such petitions shall be
19available in the office of the chief clerk. At the
20conclusion of each general assembly, the chief clerk
21may dispose of petitions received during that general
22assembly.
23Rule 25
24Consideration of Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
25Action on a simple or concurrent resolution, except
26a memorial resolution, shall not be taken until one day
27after the resolution has been placed on the members’
28desks. After the resolution is adopted, the chief
29clerk shall have the resolution printed in the compiled
30journal and shall transmit certified copies of the
-14-1resolution as directed.
2Rule 26
3Unanimous Consent Calendar
4The speaker may, upon the request of three members,
5place on a unanimous consent calendar any house
6resolution or concurrent resolution which does not
7contain an appropriation and which has been laid over
8under Rule 25.
9If such resolution is placed on the unanimous
10consent calendar, it may be removed only upon a written
11request submitted to the speaker by a member of the
12house.
13If not removed after five legislative days, the
14chief clerk shall call up the resolution and without
15debate the speaker shall pronounce that it has passed
16by unanimous consent.
17If the resolution is removed from the unanimous
18consent calendar, the speaker may again lay the
19resolution over under Rule 25, place it on a different
20calendar, or refer the resolution to any of the
21standing committees of the house.
22Rule 26A
23Senate Bills and Resolutions
24A senate bill or resolution may be referred to a
25standing committee or passed on file.
26Rule 27
27Forms of Bills and Joint Resolutions
28Every house bill shall be introduced by one or more
29members or by any standing or specially authorized
30committee of the house or the administrative rules
-15-1review committee. All bills and joint resolutions
2introduced shall be prepared by the legislative
3services agency with title, enacting clause, text
4and explanation as directed by the chief clerk of the
5house. One copy of each bill shall be presented in a
6bill cover with the number of copies of the bill and
7the title as directed by the chief clerk.
8Rule 28
9Joint and Nullification Resolutions
10Joint resolutions shall be framed and treated as
11bills.
12A “nullification resolution” is a joint resolution
13which nullifies all of an administrative rule, or
14a severable item of an administrative rule adopted
15pursuant to chapter 17A of the Code. A nullification
16resolution shall not amend an administrative rule by
17adding language or by inserting new language in lieu of
18existing language.
19A nullification resolution may be introduced by an
20individual, a standing committee or the administrative
21rules review committee, and may be referred to a
22standing committee. A nullification resolution is
23debatable, but cannot be amended on the floor of the
24house.
25Rule 29
26Time of Introduction of Bills
27No bill or joint resolution under individual
28sponsorship, other than a nullification resolution,
29shall be read for the first time after 4:30 p.m.on
30Friday of the fifth week of the first regular session
-16-1of the general assembly unless a formal request for
2drafting the bill has been filed with the legislative
3services agency before that time.
4After adjournment of the first regular session,
5bills may be prefiled at any time before the convening
6of the second regular session. No bill or joint
7resolution under individual sponsorship, other than a
8nullification resolution, shall be read for the first
9time after 4:30 p.m.on Friday of the second week of
10the second regular session of the general assembly
11unless a formal request for drafting the bill has been
12filed with the legislative services agency before that
13time.
14However, bills or joint resolutions sponsored
15by standing committees or the administrative rules
16review committee, co-sponsored by the majority and
17minority floor leaders, or companion bills sponsored
18by the house majority leader and the senate majority
19leader may be drafted and introduced at any time
20permissible under Joint Rule 20. House, concurrent,
21and nullification resolutions may be introduced at any
22time.
23Rule 30
24Introduction and Reading of Bills
25All bills and resolutions to be introduced in the
26house shall be prepared in proper form and filed
27with the chief clerk no later than 4:30 p.m.on the
28legislative day preceding its introduction.
29Every bill shall receive two readings but no bill
30shall receive its first and last readings on the same
-17-1day.
2A “reading of a bill” as required by these rules
3shall consist of a reading of the title and enacting
4clause.
5Rule 31
6First Reading, Commitment, and Amendment
71. A bill is introduced into the house by an
8initial or “first reading of the bill”.
92. When the house is in session the first reading
10shall consist of a “reading” as provided in Rule 30.
113. Upon a first reading of the bill, the speaker
12shall state that it is ready for commitment or
13amendment; and the speaker shall commit it to the
14standing or select committee, or to a committee of the
15whole house. If to a committee of the whole house, the
16house shall determine on what day.
174. On a nonlegislative day the speaker may cause a
18statement, which shall consist of the title, enacting
19clause, bill number and committee to which the bill
20is referred, to be published in the house journal.
21This publication shall constitute a first reading and
22commitment and shall contain the notation “read and
23committed under Rule 31”.
245. All amendments offered to bills and resolutions
25shall be accompanied by such copies as the chief clerk
26shall direct.
276. Such amendments shall give the number of
28the bill sought to amend and the chief clerk shall
29designate each such amendment thus: Amendment to
30House File _________, or Senate File ________, by
-18-1___________.
27. A bill reported out by committee shall go to the
3speaker who shall direct that the bill be placed on the
4regular calendar unless it covers subject matter more
5properly within the jurisdiction of some other standing
6committee, in which case the speaker may refer the bill
7to the proper standing committee. In order to expedite
8important business and set a definite time for the
9bill’s consideration, the speaker may direct the bill
10to be placed on the special order calendar.
118. No amendment to the rules of the house, to any
12resolution or bill, except technical amendments and
13amendments to bills substituted for by senate files
14containing substantially identical title, language,
15subject matter, purpose and intrasectional arrangement,
16shall be considered by the membership of the house
17without a copy of the amendment having been filed with
18the chief clerk by 4:00 p.m.or within one-half hour of
19adjournment, whichever is later, on the day preceding
20floor debate on the amendment. If the house adjourns
21prior to 2:00 p.m.on Friday, the final deadline is two
22hours after adjournment. However, committee amendments
23filed pursuant to the submission of the committee
24report may be accepted after this deadline. This
25provision shall not apply to any proposal debated on
26the floor of the house after the thirteenth week of
27the first session and the twelfth week of the second
28session. No amendment or amendment to an amendment
29to a bill, rule of the house, or resolution shall be
30considered by the membership of the house without
-19-1a copy of the amendment being on the desks of the
2entire membership of the house prior to consideration.
3However, the membership of the house may consider an
4amendment or an amendment to an amendment to a bill,
5rule of the house, or resolution without a copy of the
6amendment being on the desks of the entire membership
7of the house prior to consideration if a copy of the
8amendment is made available to the entire membership of
9the house electronically.
10Rule 32
11Commitment of Appropriation and Revenue Bills
12All bills to appropriate money shall be referred to
13the appropriations committee, and all bills pertaining
14to the levy, assessment, or collection of taxes or fees
15shall be referred to the committee on ways and means.
16Rule 33
17Regular Calendar
18Bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
19resolutions reported out for passage, amendment and
20passage, or without recommendation by a committee,
21or passed on file shall be arranged on a regular
22calendar by the chief clerk each day and electronically
23distributed to the members at the opening of each
24legislative day. The regular calendar shall include
25a list of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
26resolutions which have been special ordered, including
27the date upon which debate is scheduled to begin
28on each of them, which shall be no sooner than five
29session days from the first date of publication on the
30regular calendar.
-20-1Rule 34
2Daily Debate Calendar
3The majority floor leadership shall cause to
4be prepared and distributed to the members at the
5opening of each legislative day when floor action is
6scheduled, a daily debate calendar consisting of bills,
7nullification resolutions, and joint resolutions from
8the regular calendar setting forth the number and
9title of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
10resolutions for the next legislative day that floor
11action is scheduled.
12This rule does not apply to bills which have passed
13both houses in different forms, reconsiderations, or
14veto reconsiderations.
15Rule 35
16Substitution of Bills
17A senate bill or resolution may be substituted
18for an identical house bill or resolution which has
19been called up for debate. An amendment to a senate
20bill or resolution which has been substituted for an
21identical house bill or resolution is out of order if
22an identical amendment to the house bill or resolution
23was considered.
24Rule 36
25Consideration of Committee Amendments
26After a bill has been referred and reported back,
27it shall be considered on its first reading after the
28amendments of the committee have been read.
29Rule 37
30Amendments to Special Order Bills
-21- 1All amendments to bills which have been special
2ordered shall be filed at least three session days
3prior to the date set for debate. Amendments to an
4amendment shall be filed at least two session days
5prior to the date set for debate. However, corrective
6amendments and amendments sponsored by either the
7majority floor leader or the minority floor leader may
8be filed at any time. Rule 31, subsection 8, shall not
9apply to these amendments.
10A corrective amendment is an amendment which does
11not substantively change the amendment or the bill.
12Rule 38
13Germane Amendments
14An amendment must be germane to the subject matter
15of the bill it seeks to amend. An amendment to an
16amendment must be germane to both the amendment and the
17bill it seeks to amend. When a member objects to an
18amendment on grounds that the amendment is not germane,
19the speaker may invite members, who shall include the
20majority and minority leaders, to the speaker’s station
21to discuss the objection.
22Rule 39
23Consideration of Bills
24Bills, including committee bills, joint resolutions,
25and nullification resolutions, reported out for
26passage, for amendment and passage, or without
27recommendation by the committee, are first eligible to
28be acted upon beginning the third legislative day they
29appear on the regular calendar.
30Committee reports shall be printed in the journal
-22-1immediately after they are filed with the chief clerk.
2Reports recommending bills, joint resolutions, and
3nullification resolutions for passage, for amendment
4and passage, or without recommendation shall stand
5approved unless written objections are filed during
6the first legislative day following their printing in
7the journal. If objections are filed, they shall be
8disposed of as soon as possible.
9Rule 40
10Consideration of Bills Upon Last Reading
11No amendment, unless by way of correcting an error
12or omission, shall be received to any bill on its last
13reading, and no debate shall be allowed on it.
14Rule 41
15Printing of Bills and Joint Resolutions
16Bills and joint resolutions shall be printed in form
17as provided by law and by rule. Each house may direct
18the printing of an additional number of its own bills.
19Legalizing bills of a local or private nature shall
20be printed in bill form and placed in the files of the
21members, the same as other bills, in the order of their
22introduction. The cost of printing shall be deposited
23with the treasurer of state in advance at a rate to be
24fixed, and the newspaper publication of the bill shall
25be without cost to the state. No legalizing act may
26be introduced until all provisions of law have been
27complied with.
28Rule 42
29Certification and Engrossment of Bills
30The chief clerk shall certify the passage of each
-23-1bill and note the date of its passage.
2In engrossing a bill, the chief clerk shall
3correct all obvious typographical, spelling, or other
4clerical errors and change section subunit numbers
5and letters and internal references as required to
6conform the original bill to any amendments which have
7been adopted. The chief clerk shall report all such
8corrections or changes in the journal. The engrossed
9bill shall be placed in the bill file with the original
10bill and amendments.
11Rule 43
12Rereferral
13A bill may be rereferred by the speaker or, upon
14motion, by the house at any time before its passage and
15after the report of its referral to committee.
16Rule 44
17Effect of Indefinite Postponement
18When a question is indefinitely postponed, it shall
19not be acted upon again during that session.
20Rule 45
21Status of Bills Following First Regular Session
22Except for those bills which have been adopted by
23both houses in different forms, all bills which have
24not been withdrawn, defeated or indefinitely postponed,
25shall be rereferred to committee upon adjournment of
26the first regular session. Within seven days after
27the first committee meeting following convening of
28the second regular session, the committee chair shall
29submit the bill to the full committee for action or the
30chair shall reassign the bill to a subcommittee.
-24-1DIVISION V — COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
2Rule 46
3Appointment of Committees
4All committees shall be appointed by the speaker,
5unless otherwise especially directed by the house.
6Minority party members of a committee shall be
7appointed by the speaker upon recommendation of the
8minority leader.
9Rule 47
10Reserved
11Rule 48
12Study Bills
13A study bill is any matter which a member of
14the house wishes to have considered by a standing
15committee, other than appropriations, without being
16introduced in the house by a first reading. A
17study bill shall be prepared in proper form by the
18legislative services agency prior to submission.
19Upon taking possession of a study bill, the
20committee chair shall notify the speaker and then
21submit four copies of the bill to the legal counsel’s
22office for numbering.
23A study bill shall bear the name of the member who
24wishes to have the bill considered. A study bill
25submitted by a state agency or board for consideration
26shall bear the name of the state agency or board. A
27committee chair may submit a study bill in the name of
28that committee.
29Final committee action on a study bill shall not be
30taken until one day following the notation of the study
-25-1bill assignment in the house journal.
2Rule 49
3Committee Meetings
4No committee, except a conference committee or the
5administrative rules review committee, shall meet
6while the house is in session without special leave.
7Committees with overlapping memberships shall not meet
8at the same time without special leave.
9Rule 50
10Smoking Prohibited
11Smoking shall not be permitted in the house or in
12any area of the capitol building.
13Rule 51
14Assignments to Subcommittee
15The chair of the committee shall report to the house
16the bill number of each bill assigned to subcommittee
17and the names of the subcommittee members. The report
18shall be printed in the journal.
19All bills, prior to consideration by the committee,
20shall be referred by the chair to a subcommittee,
21unless acted upon by a committee of the whole.
22The chair may assign bills to subcommittees without
23a meeting of the committee, but the membership of the
24subcommittee so appointed shall be reported at the next
25meeting of the committee.
26Rule 52
27Open Meetings
28Standing committee meetings shall be open, and
29voting by secret ballot is prohibited. The committee
30on administration and rules may close its meetings to
-26-1evaluate the professional competency of an individual.
2Rule 53
3Quorum and Vote Requirements
4The committee roll shall be taken at the convening
5of each meeting to determine the presence of a quorum.
6A majority of the committee membership shall constitute
7a quorum.
8An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee
9membership is required to report a bill out of
10committee or to suspend a committee rule.
11A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
12committee member who voted on the prevailing side of
13the question sought to be reconsidered. A motion to
14reconsider may only be made prior to the adjournment of
15the committee meeting at which the bill was reported
16out.
17If a member, who is in the committee room when a
18question to report a bill out of committee is put, has
19not asked to be excused prior to commencing to take
20the vote on the question, the member shall vote aye
21or nay unless the committee has excused the member for
22special reasons. However, a member may pass on the
23first taking of the roll call on the question but shall
24vote aye or nay when the member’s name is called for a
25second time.
26Rule 54
27Committee Attendance Record and Report of Committee
28Form
291. A committee attendance record shall be filed
30with the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two
-27-1hours after the house convenes, whichever is later,
2of the legislative day immediately following the day
3of the committee meeting. The committee attendance
4record is a public record and may be published in the
5journal. The committee attendance record shall include
6the following information:
7a. The time the meeting convened.
8b. The members present at the meeting.
9c. The time the meeting adjourned.
10d. A list of bills receiving final committee
11disposition.
122. A report of committee form shall be filed with
13the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two hours
14after the house convenes, whichever is later, of the
15legislative day immediately following the day of the
16committee meeting for each study bill, numbered bill
17or resolution receiving final committee disposition.
18The report of committee form is a public record and
19a report of committee action shall be printed in the
20journal. The report of committee form shall include
21the following information:
22a. The committee action taken.
23b. The committee amendment number, if any.
24c. The roll call vote of the committee on final
25disposition.
26d. The minority recommendation, if any.
273. Upon final adjournment of the first session
28and final adjournment of the second session of the
29general assembly, the chair of each committee shall
30have placed the committee’s book of record containing
-28-1minutes, record roll calls on final disposition, record
2roll call votes on any amendments considered, rules,
3etc., with the chief clerk for access of any interested
4person.
5Rule 55
6Minority Recommendation
7The minority of the members of a committee may
8present its recommendations on the final disposition
9of a bill to the house by attaching its recommendation
10to the committee report. The minority recommendation
11shall be noted in the journal along with the committee
12report.
13Rule 56
14Committee Amendment
15Whenever a committee amendment is proposed which
16would amend another committee amendment, the amendment
17shall be drafted in the form of a substitute amendment
18and shall be considered as such.
19Rule 57
20Committee Notice and Agenda
21Each committee shall prepare and publish a notice
22and agenda of each committee meeting at least one
23legislative day prior to the meeting. The notice and
24agenda may be placed on the desks of or transmitted
25electronically to committee members.
26The notice shall contain the committee name, the
27date, time, and location of the meeting.
28The agenda shall contain the matters to be
29discussed, including a list of bills, joint
30resolutions, nullification resolutions, and study
-29-1bills by number. The agenda should contain the names
2of individuals who are scheduled to appear before the
3committee and the organization which they represent.
4A bill, joint resolution, nullification resolution,
5or study bill shall not be reported out of committee if
6the bill was not included in the published notice and
7agenda unless this rule is suspended by a majority of
8the total membership of the committee.
9A committee chair may call a meeting without
10providing the required notice and agenda upon leave
11of the house if a notice is either electronically
12transmitted to committee members or placed on the desks
13of committee members.
14Rule 58
15Clearing of Committee Room
16The chair of a committee may clear the committee
17room in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct.
18Rule 58A
19Use of Telephonic or Electronic Devices in Committee
20Rooms Restricted
211. In any committee room while a standing committee
22is in session:
23a. A person shall mute any cell phone, computer, or
24other electronic device under the person’s control.
25b. A person shall not use a cell phone or other
26electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
27communications.
282. The chair or acting chair of a standing
29committee may clear the committee room of any person
30acting in violation of this rule.
-30-1Rule 59
2Committee Amendments
3All amendments to a bill or resolution adopted in
4committee shall be incorporated in a single committee
5amendment or incorporated in a new committee bill.
6Rule 60
7Withdrawal of Bills, Joint Resolutions, or
8Nullification Resolutions From Committee
9A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
10resolution which has been in committee for eighteen
11legislative days following notation of such referral
12in the journal may be withdrawn from the committee and
13placed on the calendar by an affirmative vote of not
14less than fifty-one members of the house.
15Rule 61
16Committee Public Hearings
17The chair of a committee may call a public hearing
18for the purpose of receiving public comment on any
19matter within the purview of the committee.
20The chair shall call a public hearing upon the
21written request of committee members according to
22committee rules, but no more than one-third of the
23committee members shall be required.
24A public hearing shall not be called or requested
25after final action on the bill, joint resolution,
26or nullification resolution has been taken by the
27committee. However, a public hearing called or
28requested before final action has been taken by the
29committee may be held after final action on the bill,
30joint resolution, or nullification resolution has been
-31-1taken by the committee.
2The chair shall designate a time and place for a
3public hearing and provide public notice at least five
4days prior to a public hearing.
5A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
6resolution for which a public hearing has been called
7can be voted to the calendar but cannot be debated
8until after the public hearing has been held. If a
9bill, joint resolution, or nullification resolution
10for which a public hearing has been called is not
11debated by the house during the session in which it
12is introduced, the request for the public hearing is
13deemed to have lapsed upon adjournment sine die of that
14session.
15However, public hearings which have been requested
16during or after the 9th week of the first session and
17during or after the 7th week of the second session must
18be held within four legislative days of the date of the
19request.
20Rule 62
21Limitation on Filing of Claims
22All claims shall be referred to the appropriations
23committee. A claim referred to the appropriations
24committee in a prior session of the general assembly
25shall not be considered by the appropriations
26committee or by the house unless it has been
27specifically referred to this session by a vote of the
28appropriations committee. The appropriations committee
29is authorized to set a definite date each session after
30which it will not receive claims or claim bills for
-32-1consideration.
2DIVISION VI — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
3Rule 63
4Organization of Committee of the Whole
5In forming the committee of the whole house, the
6speaker shall appoint a member to preside in committee
7and then leave the chair.
8Rule 64
9Rules in Committee of the Whole
10The rules of the house shall be observed in
11committee of the whole house, so far as they are
12applicable.
13Rule 65
14Bills in Committee of the Whole
15Bills committed to the committee of the whole house
16shall first be debated by section. After the report
17of the committee of the whole, the bill shall again be
18subject to debate and amendment before a vote is had on
19its last reading and passage.
20Rule 66
21Amendments by Committee of the Whole
22All amendments made to a report committed to a
23committee of the whole house shall be noted and
24reported as in the case of bills.
25DIVISION VII — MOTIONS
26Rule 67
27Order and Precedence of Motions
28The following order of motions, listed in order
29of precedence, shall govern when a question is under
30debate:
-33- 11. Adjourn.
22. Recess.
33. Questions of privilege.
44. Lay on the table.
55. Previous question.
66. Limit debate.
77. Postpone definitely or to a certain time.
88. Refer or rerefer.
99. Defer.
1010. Amend an amendment.
1111. Amend.
1212. Postpone indefinitely.
13A motion to postpone definitely or to a certain
14time, to refer or commit, or to postpone indefinitely a
15particular question shall not be considered more than
16once on the same day.
17Adoption of a motion to strike the enacting words is
18equivalent to rejection of the question.
19Rule 68
20Order of Consideration of Amendments
21Amendments shall be considered by earliest position
22in the bill. Amendments to the same place in the bill
23shall be considered by the lowest amendment number. An
24amendment which inserts language after a line and an
25amendment which inserts language before the succeeding
26line shall be considered amendments to the same place
27in the bill.
28However, an amendment to strike the enacting clause
29shall always be considered first. An amendment filed
30by a committee shall have the next highest order of
-34-1priority, followed by an amendment to strike everything
2after the enacting clause and insert new language. An
3amendment to strike language or to strike and insert
4new language, except an amendment to strike everything
5after the enacting clause and insert new language,
6shall not be considered before amendments to perfect
7all or part of the same portion of the bill.
8Rule 69
9Motions Not Debatable
10The following motions are not debatable:
111. Adjourn.
122. Adjourn to a certain time.
133. Suspend house rules.
144. Previous question.
155. Close debate at a certain time.
166. Recess.
177. Defer.
188. Refer or rerefer.
199. Lay on the table.
2010. Take from the table.
2111. Call of the house.
2212. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
2313. Appeal a decision of the chair.
2414. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
25Rule 69A
26Constitutional Majority
271. The following motions require a constitutional
28majority for approval:
29a. Final passage of a bill, joint resolution, or
30nullification resolution.
-35- 1b. Lay on the table.
2c. Take from the table.
3d. Suspend house rules.
4e. Previous question.
5f. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
6g. Reconsider a bill, joint resolution, or
7nullification resolution.
8h. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
92. A division must be taken on any motion which
10requires a constitutional majority.
11Rule 70
12Motion to Adjourn
13A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except
14when a member is speaking or the house is voting.
15Rule 71
16Withdrawal of Motions
17After a motion is stated by the speaker or read by
18the chief clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession
19of the house, but may be withdrawn by leave of the
20house.
21Rule 72
22Unanimous Consent
23Unanimous consent of the members may be asked for
24suspension of any rule of the house. If there is no
25objection to the request, the rule shall be considered
26suspended.
27Rule 73
28Reconsideration
291. A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
30member who voted on the prevailing side of the question
-36-1sought to be reconsidered.
22. A motion to reconsider may be made not later
3than adjournment on the legislative day following
4the legislative day of the action sought to be
5reconsidered. Where the floor manager voted on
6the prevailing side, the floor manager has the
7prior right to make the motion, until adjournment
8on the legislative day of the action sought to be
9reconsidered. A motion to reconsider a nullification
10resolution shall be acted upon not later than
11adjournment on the legislative day following
12the legislative day of the action sought to be
13reconsidered.
143. A motion to reconsider made beginning the
15fifteenth week of the first regular session, or the
16thirteenth week of the second regular session, may be
17taken up when made. A motion made at any other time
18may be taken up prior to the third legislative day
19succeeding the legislative day of the action sought
20to be reconsidered only if called up by the mover,
21and after the second legislative day succeeding the
22legislative day of the action sought to be reconsidered
23if called up by any member.
244. The making of a motion to reconsider takes
25precedence over all other questions.
265. When passage, adoption, or failure of any bill,
27joint resolution, or nullification resolution is
28reconsidered, questions on amendments may also be
29reconsidered and shall be disposed of immediately.
306. In the event that a motion to reconsider
-37-1is pending at the end of the first session or any
2extraordinary session of any general assembly, or the
3general assembly adjourns sine die, and the motion to
4reconsider has not been voted upon by the house, the
5motion shall be determined to have failed.
6DIVISION VIII — VOTING
7Rule 74
8Manner of Voting
9Members present may cast their votes, either by
10operating the voting mechanism located at their
11assigned desk or by signaling the speaker from the
12floor of the house or from the south visitors’ gallery
13if they are unable to vote at their assigned desk.
14Only a member may operate the voting mechanism at that
15member’s assigned desk. The speaker shall announce the
16votes of members signaling their votes. Upon direction
17of the speaker only those members at their desks and
18voting shall be counted. Members who are not present
19shall not cast their votes except:
201. Members who have not voted may record their
21votes on any record roll call vote except quorum
22calls within ten minutes after the outcome of the
23vote has been announced. Members shall initial their
24recorded votes on a copy of the record roll call at the
25speaker’s station. However, if the aggregate of votes
26cast under this rule would change the outcome of the
27vote on a question, then none of the votes cast on the
28question under this rule shall be recorded. A member
29may request announcement of the names of members so
30recorded after the ten-minute period.
-38- 12. Members meeting in a conference committee
2or in administrative rules review committee at the
3time a vote is taken on a question may have their
4vote recorded within thirty minutes or adjournment,
5whichever is first, of that same legislative day,
6provided the aggregate of votes cast does not change
7the outcome of the vote on a question.
8Rule 75
9Voting in the House and Duty of Voting
10Voting on a question put to members on the floor of
11the house shall not occur between midnight and 8 a.m.
12on any legislative day except for voting on a motion to
13recess, defer, or adjourn. Except as limited in Rule
1476, every member who is in the house when a question is
15put shall vote unless the house has excused that member
16from voting for special reasons; however, such member
17must have asked to be excused from voting prior to the
18time the speaker puts the question.
19Rule 76
20Limitation on Right to Vote
21No member shall vote on any question in which
22the member or the member’s immediate family member,
23as defined in chapter 68B of the Code, has a direct
24financial interest different from other similarly
25situated persons or classes of persons of the general
26public.
27Rule 77
28Call of the House
29Upon written request of five members, the presiding
30officer shall compel attendance of absent and unexcused
-39-1members for the consideration of specified bills,
2resolutions, or amendments.
3A call of the house shall specify the propositions
4to which it is to apply and must be put into effect
5before roll call is taken on the proposition. The
6request may be filed with the chief clerk at any time
7before final action upon the propositions, who shall
8notify the house immediately.
9Rule 78
10Method of Calling the House
11Upon a call of the house, the names of the members
12shall be called by the chief clerk and the absentees
13noted, after which the names of the absentees shall
14again be called. The sergeant-at-arms shall be
15directed by the speaker to compel the attendance of
16absent members, unless they are previously excused.
17Any member occupying the member’s seat during a call
18of the house shall be counted by the speaker and that
19person’s name entered in the journal as being present
20for the purpose of making a quorum.
21Rule 79
22Method of Calling the Roll
23The electrical voting machine shall be used for a
24call of the house, a quorum call or a roll call vote
25on any question. If the electrical voting machine is
26not in operating order when it is necessary to take
27a record roll call vote, the presiding officer shall
28order the vote to be taken by calling the roll in
29alphabetical order, except the name of the presiding
30officer shall be called last.
-40- 1During the casting of the vote with the voting
2machine, the individual votes and the vote totals shall
3be shown on the display boards. Before the voting
4machine is closed, the presiding officer shall inquire
5of the house, “Have you all voted?”
6Rule 80
7Quorum and Record Roll Call Votes
8A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
9A record roll call vote shall be ordered upon
10request of any two members. The names of the members
11requesting the record roll call shall be entered in the
12journal.
13Rule 81
14Previous Question
15When a member moves for the previous question, the
16member shall state whether the motion will apply to the
17main question, to all the amendments, or to particular
18amendments. The motion requires an affirmative vote of
19at least a constitutional majority of the members. If
20the motion for a previous question is not adopted, the
21house shall proceed in the same manner as before the
22motion was made.
23If the motion is adopted, all debate must end and
24the house will vote upon the question except:
251. If the motion applies to the main question, the
26member in charge of the measure will have ten minutes
27to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
28the vote on the measure is taken.
292. If the motion applies to an amendment, the
30member proposing the amendment will have five minutes
-41-1to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
2the vote on the amendment is taken.
33. If a member has filed a written request with
4the chief clerk of the house indicating the member’s
5desire to speak on a particular question. The request
6must be filed before the motion is made by the movant.
7The request allows a member to speak on a particular
8question before the closing discussion by the member
9who is in charge of the measure or who is proposing the
10amendment.
11Rule 82
12Division of the Question
13Any member may call for a division of the question,
14which shall be divided if it comprehends questions so
15distinct that one being taken away, the remainder may
16stand separately for discussion by the house. Upon
17request to divide an amendment, the chief clerk shall
18restate the division and note the divided amendment in
19the house journal. An amendment to strike out being
20lost shall not preclude an amendment to strike out and
21insert. An amendment to strike out and insert shall be
22deemed indivisible.
-42-tm/jh
An Act 1relating to permanent rules of the House
2of Representatives for the Eighty-eighth General
3Assembly.
4BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That
5the permanent rules of the House for the Eighty-seventh
6 Eighty-eighth General Assembly be as follows:
7DIVISION I — GENERAL RULES
8Rule 1
9Call to Order and Order of Business
10The speaker shall take the chair at the hour to
11which the house has adjourned, and shall immediately
12call the house to order, correct the journal of the
13previous day’s proceedings, and proceed to other
14business, including, but not limited to, introduction
15of bills, reports, messages, communications, business
16pending at adjournment, announcements, resolutions
17and bills on their passage, and points of personal
18privilege.
19Rule 2
20Quorum Call and Time of Convening
21The house shall convene each Monday at 1:00 p.m.
22and at 8:30 a.m.on all other legislative days, unless
23otherwise ordered. The time of convening shall be
24recorded in the journal. The house shall not convene
25on Sunday during a regular or special session.
26The speaker or a member may request a roll call to
27determine if a quorum is present.
28Rule 3
-1-1Absences from the House
2No member shall be absent without leave while the
3house is in session unless excused for good cause.
4Rule 4
5Preservation of Order
6The speaker shall preserve order and decorum and
7speak to points of order. Subject to an appeal to the
8house by any member, the speaker shall decide questions
9of order which shall not be debated.
10While recognized to speak in debate, a member
11shall not use any visual aids to explain to others the
12member’s points in the debate without leave of the
13speaker.
14The speaker may have the chamber of the house
15cleared in case of any disturbance or disorderly
16conduct.
17Only past legislators, state officials, persons
18whose presence is deemed by the speaker to be of
19special significance to the house, and school classes
20accompanied by teachers and seated in the galleries
21shall be introduced in the house.
22No person other than a member of the house shall be
23allowed to speak from the floor of the house without
24prior permission of the speaker.
25The public may take photographs from the galleries
26at any time. However, the use of flash bulbs or any
27other artificial lighting is prohibited.
28Members of the press may photograph from the press
29box, but shall not use artificial lighting without
30prior permission from the chief clerk of the house.
-2-1Photographs shall not be taken on the house floor when
2the members are voting on a question put before the
3house. Photographs or video recordings of the voting
4boards shall not be taken while a nonrecord roll call
5vote is displayed. Photographs may be taken on the
6house floor at other times with the consent of the
7subject or subjects of the photography.
8Rule 4A
9Use of Electronic Devices and Video Streaming in
10Chamber
111. A person present in the house chamber while the
12house is in order shall mute any cell phone, computer,
13or other electronic device under the person’s control.
14The speaker may remove from the chamber any person
15acting in violation of this rule.
162. A member shall not use a cell phone or other
17electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
18communications while recognized by the presiding
19officer to speak in debate.
203. The speaker shall control the time, place,
21and manner of use of the house’s internet video
22streaming system on the floor of the house and in the
23visitors’ galleries. However, the speaker shall not
24edit, censor, or shut off the house’s internet video
25streaming system during debate on the floor of the
26house.
27Rule 5
28Rules of Parliamentary Practice
29The rules of parliamentary practice in Mason’s
30Manual of Legislative Procedure shall govern the house
-3-1in all cases where they are not inconsistent with the
2standing rules of the house, joint rules of the house
3and senate, or customary practice of the house.
4Rule 5A
5House Budget
6The speaker of the house shall annually prepare a
7proposed budget for the house of representatives for
8the payment of expenses, salaries, per diems, and other
9items. The proposed budget shall be submitted on the
10fourteenth day of each legislative session to the house
11administration and rules committee, which shall approve
12a proposed budget in house resolution form. The house
13shall adopt a budget prior to adjournment.
14Rule 6
15The Speaker Pro Tempore
16The house shall, at its pleasure, elect a speaker
17pro tempore. When the speaker shall for any cause be
18absent, the speaker pro tempore shall preside, except
19when the chair is filled by appointment by either
20the speaker or the speaker pro tempore. If a vacancy
21occurs in the office of speaker, the speaker pro
22tempore shall assume the duties and responsibilities
23of the speaker until such time as the house shall elect
24a new speaker. The speaker or the speaker pro tempore
25shall have the right to name any member to perform the
26duties of speaker, but such substitution shall not
27extend beyond the adjournment. The acts of the speaker
28pro tempore shall have the same validity as those of
29the speaker. In the absence of both the speaker and
30the speaker pro tempore, the house shall name a speaker
-4-1who shall preside over it and perform all the duties of
2the speaker with the exception of signing bills, until
3such time as the speaker or speaker pro tempore shall
4be present, and the person’s acts shall have the same
5force and validity as those of the regularly elected
6speaker.
7Rule 7
8Amendment of Rules
9A motion to change or rescind a standing rule or
10order of the house requires one day’s notice.
11Rule 8
12Violation of House Rules
13The speaker shall, or any member may, call to order
14a member who violates the rules of the house. With
15leave of the house, the member called to order may be
16permitted to explain. If the case requires it, the
17member shall be subject to censure of the house.
18Rule 9
19Referral of Rule Violations
20The speaker shall, upon complaint of a member,
21or upon the speaker’s own motion, refer any alleged
22violation of house or joint rules by house members,
23employees or staff to the house ethics committee upon
24an initial finding that an investigation is warranted.
25The ethics committee shall investigate such
26allegations and report them back to the house with a
27recommendation.
28Rule 10
29Recognition and Decorum in Debate
30A member who wishes to speak in debate shall be
-5-1appropriately attired, with male members wearing coat
2or tie. After recognition by the chair, a member
3shall respectfully address the presiding officer
4by saying “Mr.or Madam Speaker”. A member shall
5confine all remarks to the question under debate,
6shall be respectful of other members, and shall avoid
7referencing or questioning the motives of another
8member.
9Rule 11
10Limit on Debate
11No member shall speak more than once on the same
12question without leave of the speaker, nor more than
13twice until every member choosing to speak has spoken,
14except as provided in Rule 81. A member shall be
15limited to ten minutes debate on bills, resolutions,
16and amendments, but may be granted an extension of time
17by consent of the house. However, the floor manager
18of a bill or resolution and the lead sponsor of an
19amendment may exceed the ten-minute limit on opening
20and closing remarks.
21Rule 12
22Decorum During Debate
23No member shall leave the house while the speaker
24is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
25speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
26have been recognized by the speaker.
27Rule 13
28Stating the Question
29When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the
30speaker. A motion made in writing shall be passed to
-6-1the speaker’s station before it is debated.
2Rule 14
3Putting the Question
4Questions shall be distinctly put in this form:
5“All those in favor of (the question) shall say ‘aye’;”
6and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “All
7those opposed to (the question) shall say ‘no’.”
8 If the speaker is in doubt or a member of the house
9requests, a nonrecord roll call vote shall be taken.
10DIVISION II — EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
11Rule 15
12Chief Clerk of the House
13The chief clerk of the house shall serve as
14parliamentarian and chief administrative officer of the
15house under the direction of the speaker of the house.
16The chief clerk shall supervise the chief clerk’s
17office; be responsible for the custody and safekeeping
18of all bills, resolutions, and amendments filed,
19except when they are in the custody of a committee;
20have charge of the daily journal; have control of all
21rooms assigned for the use of the house; attest to the
22accuracy and correctness of text and action on bills
23and resolutions; process the handling of amendments
24when filed and during the floor consideration of bills;
25insert adopted amendments into bills before transmittal
26to the senate and prior to final enrollment; supervise
27legislative printing and the distribution of printed
28material; and perform all other duties pertaining to
29the office of the chief clerk.
30Rule 16
-7-1Legislative and Session Days
2For purposes of these rules, a legislative day is a
3day when the house is called to order. A legislative
4day that runs past midnight is not considered a new
5legislative day. A session day is any calendar day
6beginning with the convening of the annual regular
7session and ending with adjournment sine die.
8Rule 17
9Sergeant-At-Arms
10The sergeant-at-arms shall execute all orders of
11the house and the presiding officer; perform all
12assigned duties related to the policing and good order
13of the house; supervise the entrance and exit of all
14persons to and from the chamber; promptly execute all
15messages, etc.; provide that the chamber is properly
16ventilated and open for the use of the members; and
17perform all other services pertaining to the office of
18sergeant-at-arms.
19Rule 18
20Secretaries
21Each member may hire a secretary for the legislative
22session who shall be under the general direction of the
23member and the chief clerk. Secretaries shall be on
24duty at the house from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.Monday
25through Thursday and on other legislative days when
26required by the chief clerk, except when excused by the
27member for whom the secretary works. Secretaries shall
28perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
29member or the chief clerk.
30Rule 19
-8-1Extra Compensation of Employees
2No employee shall receive any extra compensation,
3except as provided by the house, or tips for services
4performed while on duty. Any violation of this rule
5shall be grounds for removal.
6DIVISION III — VISITORS AND LOBBYISTS
7Rule 20
8Admission to the House; Lobbying
9The chamber of the house shall include the
10vestibule, restrooms, bill room, lounge, visitors’
11galleries, and floor of the house.
12The floor of the house shall consist of the
13area between the north and south walls, including
14the representatives’ desks, the press box, and the
15speaker’s station, but excluding the visitors’
16galleries.
17During a legislative day while the house is in
18order, no member of the general assembly or legislative
19employee or intern shall be admitted to the floor of
20the house if attired in jeans of any color without
21leave of the speaker.
22During a legislative day while the house is in
23order, and one-half hour before the house convenes and
24one-half hour after the house recesses or adjourns,
25no person shall be admitted to the floor of the house
26except:
271. Members of the general assembly and authorized
28legislative employees in the performance of their
29duties.
302. Former members of the general assembly who are
-9-1not registered lobbyists.
23. A general assembly member’s family.
34. Representatives of the press, radio, and
4television who shall go directly to and from the press
5box.
65. Legislative interns registered with the chief
7clerk who shall go directly to and from the seat of
8their assigned representative or to be seated in the
9perimeter seating area.
106. Designated representatives of a political party
11having members serving in the house.
127. Members of the state executive council, the
13lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
14governor’s executive assistants and administrative
15assistants, and the administrative rules coordinator,
16all of whom shall be confined to the perimeter area.
17The current status of former members of the general
18assembly shall govern their access to the floor under
19these rules.
20No other persons shall be allowed on the house floor
21while the house is in order without permission of the
22presiding officer of the house. When the house is not
23in order, guests of a member of the general assembly
24escorted by that member shall be allowed on the house
25floor.
26No person admitted to the floor of the house while
27the house is in order, except members of the general
28assembly, shall lobby or attempt to exercise any
29influence with any member for or against any matter
30then pending or that may thereafter be considered by
-10-1the house.
2A registered lobbyist shall not be admitted to
3the floor of the house on any legislative day except
4for ceremonial purposes or for attendance at public
5hearings.
6A lobbyist who represents the position of a state
7government agency, in which the person serves or is
8employed as the designated representative for purposes
9of encouraging the passage or defeat of legislation,
10shall file with the chief clerk of the house a
11statement of the general subjects of legislation in
12which the lobbyist is or may be interested, but shall
13not lobby for or against a bill, resolution, or study
14bill unless the lobbyist does so with the written
15authorization and on behalf of a statewide elected
16or retained official. The official’s writing may
17authorize the lobbyist to register and lobby for or
18against any or all bills in which the lobbyist is
19or may be interested or may restrict the lobbyist
20to register and lobby for or against only some bills
21in which the lobbyist is or may be interested. The
22written authorizations shall be filed with the chief
23clerk, according to a procedure established by the
24clerk for the filing of the authorizations and for
25making them available to the public, by the following
26statewide elected or retained official for the
27following offices, departments, agencies, and branch:
28By the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary
29of state, and treasurer of state, for their respective
30offices.
-11- 1By the secretary of agriculture, for the department
2of agriculture and land stewardship.
3By the chairperson of the ethics and campaign
4disclosure board, for the executive director, legal
5counsel, and other employees of the board.
6By the governor, for all other executive branch
7offices and departments.
8By the chief justice of the supreme court, for the
9judicial branch.
10Each member, employee of the house, and registered
11lobbyist may report violations of this rule immediately
12to the sergeant-at-arms or the chief clerk.
13Any person for cause may be summarily dismissed
14from the chamber of the house, by action of the house,
15and may forfeit that person’s right to admission
16thereafter.
17Rule 20A
18Legislative Interns
19A member may appoint one or more interns who shall
20register with the chief clerk. Only one legislative
21intern per member of the house is allowed on the floor
22of the house at any one time.
23Rule 21
24Distribution of Literature and Other Items
25No person except a member or employee of the house
26of representatives shall distribute or cause to be
27distributed any pamphlets, material, or other printed
28literature, or any other items to the members’ desks
29in the house without authorization. An employee
30of the house shall generally distribute or cause
-12-1to be distributed such literature or items only on
2behalf of the employee’s office or staff. Items which
3are permissible gifts under chapter 68B of the Code
4may be distributed to the members’ desks with the
5authorization of the chief clerk.
6All copies of pamphlets, material, or printed
7literature distributed by a member or employee of the
8house of representatives shall bear the name of the
9member or employee’s office or staff.
10Other distributions of pamphlets, material, or
11other printed literature shall bear their source of
12origin and be distributed through the legislative
13post office or to the members’ desks by completing
14a form containing a member’s or the chief clerk’s
15authorization, with the authorization form filed with
16the chief clerk. The authorization form shall be
17retained for a reasonable time period by the chief
18clerk.
19Rule 22
20Distribution of Materials Printed by the State
21A member of the house shall not distribute maps,
22books, and pamphlets which have been printed by the
23state of Iowa and upon which the name of the member
24of the house has been affixed unless the member has
25purchased the materials or unless the member has
26affixed the words “Paid for by the citizens of Iowa and
27distributed by representative (member’s name).”
28DIVISION IV — FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR BILLS AND OTHER
29DOCUMENTS
30Rule 23
-13-1Documents Signed by the Speaker
2All acts and joint resolutions shall be signed by
3the speaker, and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas
4issued by order of the house, shall be signed by the
5speaker and attested by the chief clerk. The speaker
6shall cause certificates of recognition or condolence
7to be issued by the house which shall be signed by
8the speaker and the chief clerk. The chief clerk
9shall maintain a list of certificates issued including
10the name of the requesting member of the house, the
11name of the recipient, the reason for recognition or
12condolence, and the date of issuance.
13Rule 24
14Presentation of Petitions
15All petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed
16to the house shall be signed by the member and filed
17with the chief clerk. The receipt of petitions shall
18be noted in the journal and such petitions shall be
19available in the office of the chief clerk. At the
20conclusion of each general assembly, the chief clerk
21may dispose of petitions received during that general
22assembly.
23Rule 25
24Consideration of Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
25Action on a simple or concurrent resolution, except
26a memorial resolution, shall not be taken until one day
27after the resolution has been placed on the members’
28desks. After the resolution is adopted, the chief
29clerk shall have the resolution printed in the compiled
30journal and shall transmit certified copies of the
-14-1resolution as directed.
2Rule 26
3Unanimous Consent Calendar
4The speaker may, upon the request of three members,
5place on a unanimous consent calendar any house
6resolution or concurrent resolution which does not
7contain an appropriation and which has been laid over
8under Rule 25.
9If such resolution is placed on the unanimous
10consent calendar, it may be removed only upon a written
11request submitted to the speaker by a member of the
12house.
13If not removed after five legislative days, the
14chief clerk shall call up the resolution and without
15debate the speaker shall pronounce that it has passed
16by unanimous consent.
17If the resolution is removed from the unanimous
18consent calendar, the speaker may again lay the
19resolution over under Rule 25, place it on a different
20calendar, or refer the resolution to any of the
21standing committees of the house.
22Rule 26A
23Senate Bills and Resolutions
24A senate bill or resolution may be referred to a
25standing committee or passed on file.
26Rule 27
27Forms of Bills and Joint Resolutions
28Every house bill shall be introduced by one or more
29members or by any standing or specially authorized
30committee of the house or the administrative rules
-15-1review committee. All bills and joint resolutions
2introduced shall be prepared by the legislative
3services agency with title, enacting clause, text
4and explanation as directed by the chief clerk of the
5house. One copy of each bill shall be presented in a
6bill cover with the number of copies of the bill and
7the title as directed by the chief clerk.
8Rule 28
9Joint and Nullification Resolutions
10Joint resolutions shall be framed and treated as
11bills.
12A “nullification resolution” is a joint resolution
13which nullifies all of an administrative rule, or
14a severable item of an administrative rule adopted
15pursuant to chapter 17A of the Code. A nullification
16resolution shall not amend an administrative rule by
17adding language or by inserting new language in lieu of
18existing language.
19A nullification resolution may be introduced by an
20individual, a standing committee or the administrative
21rules review committee, and may be referred to a
22standing committee. A nullification resolution is
23debatable, but cannot be amended on the floor of the
24house.
25Rule 29
26Time of Introduction of Bills
27No bill or joint resolution under individual
28sponsorship, other than a nullification resolution,
29shall be read for the first time after 4:30 p.m.on
30Friday of the fifth week of the first regular session
-16-1of the general assembly unless a formal request for
2drafting the bill has been filed with the legislative
3services agency before that time.
4After adjournment of the first regular session,
5bills may be prefiled at any time before the convening
6of the second regular session. No bill or joint
7resolution under individual sponsorship, other than a
8nullification resolution, shall be read for the first
9time after 4:30 p.m.on Friday of the second week of
10the second regular session of the general assembly
11unless a formal request for drafting the bill has been
12filed with the legislative services agency before that
13time.
14However, bills or joint resolutions sponsored
15by standing committees or the administrative rules
16review committee, co-sponsored by the majority and
17minority floor leaders, or companion bills sponsored
18by the house majority leader and the senate majority
19leader may be drafted and introduced at any time
20permissible under Joint Rule 20. House, concurrent,
21and nullification resolutions may be introduced at any
22time.
23Rule 30
24Introduction and Reading of Bills
25All bills and resolutions to be introduced in the
26house shall be prepared in proper form and filed
27with the chief clerk no later than 4:30 p.m.on the
28legislative day preceding its introduction.
29Every bill shall receive two readings but no bill
30shall receive its first and last readings on the same
-17-1day.
2A “reading of a bill” as required by these rules
3shall consist of a reading of the title and enacting
4clause.
5Rule 31
6First Reading, Commitment, and Amendment
71. A bill is introduced into the house by an
8initial or “first reading of the bill”.
92. When the house is in session the first reading
10shall consist of a “reading” as provided in Rule 30.
113. Upon a first reading of the bill, the speaker
12shall state that it is ready for commitment or
13amendment; and the speaker shall commit it to the
14standing or select committee, or to a committee of the
15whole house. If to a committee of the whole house, the
16house shall determine on what day.
174. On a nonlegislative day the speaker may cause a
18statement, which shall consist of the title, enacting
19clause, bill number and committee to which the bill
20is referred, to be published in the house journal.
21This publication shall constitute a first reading and
22commitment and shall contain the notation “read and
23committed under Rule 31”.
245. All amendments offered to bills and resolutions
25shall be accompanied by such copies as the chief clerk
26shall direct.
276. Such amendments shall give the number of
28the bill sought to amend and the chief clerk shall
29designate each such amendment thus: Amendment to
30House File _________, or Senate File ________, by
-18-1___________.
27. A bill reported out by committee shall go to the
3speaker who shall direct that the bill be placed on the
4regular calendar unless it covers subject matter more
5properly within the jurisdiction of some other standing
6committee, in which case the speaker may refer the bill
7to the proper standing committee. In order to expedite
8important business and set a definite time for the
9bill’s consideration, the speaker may direct the bill
10to be placed on the special order calendar.
118. No amendment to the rules of the house, to any
12resolution or bill, except technical amendments and
13amendments to bills substituted for by senate files
14containing substantially identical title, language,
15subject matter, purpose and intrasectional arrangement,
16shall be considered by the membership of the house
17without a copy of the amendment having been filed with
18the chief clerk by 4:00 p.m.or within one-half hour of
19adjournment, whichever is later, on the day preceding
20floor debate on the amendment. If the house adjourns
21prior to 2:00 p.m.on Friday, the final deadline is two
22hours after adjournment. However, committee amendments
23filed pursuant to the submission of the committee
24report may be accepted after this deadline. This
25provision shall not apply to any proposal debated on
26the floor of the house after the thirteenth week of
27the first session and the twelfth week of the second
28session. No amendment or amendment to an amendment
29to a bill, rule of the house, or resolution shall be
30considered by the membership of the house without
-19-1a copy of the amendment being on the desks of the
2entire membership of the house prior to consideration.
3However, the membership of the house may consider an
4amendment or an amendment to an amendment to a bill,
5rule of the house, or resolution without a copy of the
6amendment being on the desks of the entire membership
7of the house prior to consideration if a copy of the
8amendment is made available to the entire membership of
9the house electronically.
10Rule 32
11Commitment of Appropriation and Revenue Bills
12All bills to appropriate money shall be referred to
13the appropriations committee, and all bills pertaining
14to the levy, assessment, or collection of taxes or fees
15shall be referred to the committee on ways and means.
16Rule 33
17Regular Calendar
18Bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
19resolutions reported out for passage, amendment and
20passage, or without recommendation by a committee,
21or passed on file shall be arranged on a regular
22calendar by the chief clerk each day and electronically
23distributed to the members at the opening of each
24legislative day. The regular calendar shall include
25a list of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
26resolutions which have been special ordered, including
27the date upon which debate is scheduled to begin
28on each of them, which shall be no sooner than five
29session days from the first date of publication on the
30regular calendar.
-20-1Rule 34
2Daily Debate Calendar
3The majority floor leadership shall cause to
4be prepared and distributed to the members at the
5opening of each legislative day when floor action is
6scheduled, a daily debate calendar consisting of bills,
7nullification resolutions, and joint resolutions from
8the regular calendar setting forth the number and
9title of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
10resolutions for the next legislative day that floor
11action is scheduled.
12This rule does not apply to bills which have passed
13both houses in different forms, reconsiderations, or
14veto reconsiderations.
15Rule 35
16Substitution of Bills
17A senate bill or resolution may be substituted
18for an identical house bill or resolution which has
19been called up for debate. An amendment to a senate
20bill or resolution which has been substituted for an
21identical house bill or resolution is out of order if
22an identical amendment to the house bill or resolution
23was considered.
24Rule 36
25Consideration of Committee Amendments
26After a bill has been referred and reported back,
27it shall be considered on its first reading after the
28amendments of the committee have been read.
29Rule 37
30Amendments to Special Order Bills
-21- 1All amendments to bills which have been special
2ordered shall be filed at least three session days
3prior to the date set for debate. Amendments to an
4amendment shall be filed at least two session days
5prior to the date set for debate. However, corrective
6amendments and amendments sponsored by either the
7majority floor leader or the minority floor leader may
8be filed at any time. Rule 31, subsection 8, shall not
9apply to these amendments.
10A corrective amendment is an amendment which does
11not substantively change the amendment or the bill.
12Rule 38
13Germane Amendments
14An amendment must be germane to the subject matter
15of the bill it seeks to amend. An amendment to an
16amendment must be germane to both the amendment and the
17bill it seeks to amend. When a member objects to an
18amendment on grounds that the amendment is not germane,
19the speaker may invite members, who shall include the
20majority and minority leaders, to the speaker’s station
21to discuss the objection.
22Rule 39
23Consideration of Bills
24Bills, including committee bills, joint resolutions,
25and nullification resolutions, reported out for
26passage, for amendment and passage, or without
27recommendation by the committee, are first eligible to
28be acted upon beginning the third legislative day they
29appear on the regular calendar.
30Committee reports shall be printed in the journal
-22-1immediately after they are filed with the chief clerk.
2Reports recommending bills, joint resolutions, and
3nullification resolutions for passage, for amendment
4and passage, or without recommendation shall stand
5approved unless written objections are filed during
6the first legislative day following their printing in
7the journal. If objections are filed, they shall be
8disposed of as soon as possible.
9Rule 40
10Consideration of Bills Upon Last Reading
11No amendment, unless by way of correcting an error
12or omission, shall be received to any bill on its last
13reading, and no debate shall be allowed on it.
14Rule 41
15Printing of Bills and Joint Resolutions
16Bills and joint resolutions shall be printed in form
17as provided by law and by rule. Each house may direct
18the printing of an additional number of its own bills.
19Legalizing bills of a local or private nature shall
20be printed in bill form and placed in the files of the
21members, the same as other bills, in the order of their
22introduction. The cost of printing shall be deposited
23with the treasurer of state in advance at a rate to be
24fixed, and the newspaper publication of the bill shall
25be without cost to the state. No legalizing act may
26be introduced until all provisions of law have been
27complied with.
28Rule 42
29Certification and Engrossment of Bills
30The chief clerk shall certify the passage of each
-23-1bill and note the date of its passage.
2In engrossing a bill, the chief clerk shall
3correct all obvious typographical, spelling, or other
4clerical errors and change section subunit numbers
5and letters and internal references as required to
6conform the original bill to any amendments which have
7been adopted. The chief clerk shall report all such
8corrections or changes in the journal. The engrossed
9bill shall be placed in the bill file with the original
10bill and amendments.
11Rule 43
12Rereferral
13A bill may be rereferred by the speaker or, upon
14motion, by the house at any time before its passage and
15after the report of its referral to committee.
16Rule 44
17Effect of Indefinite Postponement
18When a question is indefinitely postponed, it shall
19not be acted upon again during that session.
20Rule 45
21Status of Bills Following First Regular Session
22Except for those bills which have been adopted by
23both houses in different forms, all bills which have
24not been withdrawn, defeated or indefinitely postponed,
25shall be rereferred to committee upon adjournment of
26the first regular session. Within seven days after
27the first committee meeting following convening of
28the second regular session, the committee chair shall
29submit the bill to the full committee for action or the
30chair shall reassign the bill to a subcommittee.
-24-1DIVISION V — COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
2Rule 46
3Appointment of Committees
4All committees shall be appointed by the speaker,
5unless otherwise especially directed by the house.
6Minority party members of a committee shall be
7appointed by the speaker upon recommendation of the
8minority leader.
9Rule 47
10Reserved
11Rule 48
12Study Bills
13A study bill is any matter which a member of
14the house wishes to have considered by a standing
15committee, other than appropriations, without being
16introduced in the house by a first reading. A
17study bill shall be prepared in proper form by the
18legislative services agency prior to submission.
19Upon taking possession of a study bill, the
20committee chair shall notify the speaker and then
21submit four copies of the bill to the legal counsel’s
22office for numbering.
23A study bill shall bear the name of the member who
24wishes to have the bill considered. A study bill
25submitted by a state agency or board for consideration
26shall bear the name of the state agency or board. A
27committee chair may submit a study bill in the name of
28that committee.
29Final committee action on a study bill shall not be
30taken until one day following the notation of the study
-25-1bill assignment in the house journal.
2Rule 49
3Committee Meetings
4No committee, except a conference committee or the
5administrative rules review committee, shall meet
6while the house is in session without special leave.
7Committees with overlapping memberships shall not meet
8at the same time without special leave.
9Rule 50
10Smoking Prohibited
11Smoking shall not be permitted in the house or in
12any area of the capitol building.
13Rule 51
14Assignments to Subcommittee
15The chair of the committee shall report to the house
16the bill number of each bill assigned to subcommittee
17and the names of the subcommittee members. The report
18shall be printed in the journal.
19All bills, prior to consideration by the committee,
20shall be referred by the chair to a subcommittee,
21unless acted upon by a committee of the whole.
22The chair may assign bills to subcommittees without
23a meeting of the committee, but the membership of the
24subcommittee so appointed shall be reported at the next
25meeting of the committee.
26Rule 52
27Open Meetings
28Standing committee meetings shall be open, and
29voting by secret ballot is prohibited. The committee
30on administration and rules may close its meetings to
-26-1evaluate the professional competency of an individual.
2Rule 53
3Quorum and Vote Requirements
4The committee roll shall be taken at the convening
5of each meeting to determine the presence of a quorum.
6A majority of the committee membership shall constitute
7a quorum.
8An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee
9membership is required to report a bill out of
10committee or to suspend a committee rule.
11A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
12committee member who voted on the prevailing side of
13the question sought to be reconsidered. A motion to
14reconsider may only be made prior to the adjournment of
15the committee meeting at which the bill was reported
16out.
17If a member, who is in the committee room when a
18question to report a bill out of committee is put, has
19not asked to be excused prior to commencing to take
20the vote on the question, the member shall vote aye
21or nay unless the committee has excused the member for
22special reasons. However, a member may pass on the
23first taking of the roll call on the question but shall
24vote aye or nay when the member’s name is called for a
25second time.
26Rule 54
27Committee Attendance Record and Report of Committee
28Form
291. A committee attendance record shall be filed
30with the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two
-27-1hours after the house convenes, whichever is later,
2of the legislative day immediately following the day
3of the committee meeting. The committee attendance
4record is a public record and may be published in the
5journal. The committee attendance record shall include
6the following information:
7a. The time the meeting convened.
8b. The members present at the meeting.
9c. The time the meeting adjourned.
10d. A list of bills receiving final committee
11disposition.
122. A report of committee form shall be filed with
13the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two hours
14after the house convenes, whichever is later, of the
15legislative day immediately following the day of the
16committee meeting for each study bill, numbered bill
17or resolution receiving final committee disposition.
18The report of committee form is a public record and
19a report of committee action shall be printed in the
20journal. The report of committee form shall include
21the following information:
22a. The committee action taken.
23b. The committee amendment number, if any.
24c. The roll call vote of the committee on final
25disposition.
26d. The minority recommendation, if any.
273. Upon final adjournment of the first session
28and final adjournment of the second session of the
29general assembly, the chair of each committee shall
30have placed the committee’s book of record containing
-28-1minutes, record roll calls on final disposition, record
2roll call votes on any amendments considered, rules,
3etc., with the chief clerk for access of any interested
4person.
5Rule 55
6Minority Recommendation
7The minority of the members of a committee may
8present its recommendations on the final disposition
9of a bill to the house by attaching its recommendation
10to the committee report. The minority recommendation
11shall be noted in the journal along with the committee
12report.
13Rule 56
14Committee Amendment
15Whenever a committee amendment is proposed which
16would amend another committee amendment, the amendment
17shall be drafted in the form of a substitute amendment
18and shall be considered as such.
19Rule 57
20Committee Notice and Agenda
21Each committee shall prepare and publish a notice
22and agenda of each committee meeting at least one
23legislative day prior to the meeting. The notice and
24agenda may be placed on the desks of or transmitted
25electronically to committee members.
26The notice shall contain the committee name, the
27date, time, and location of the meeting.
28The agenda shall contain the matters to be
29discussed, including a list of bills, joint
30resolutions, nullification resolutions, and study
-29-1bills by number. The agenda should contain the names
2of individuals who are scheduled to appear before the
3committee and the organization which they represent.
4A bill, joint resolution, nullification resolution,
5or study bill shall not be reported out of committee if
6the bill was not included in the published notice and
7agenda unless this rule is suspended by a majority of
8the total membership of the committee.
9A committee chair may call a meeting without
10providing the required notice and agenda upon leave
11of the house if a notice is either electronically
12transmitted to committee members or placed on the desks
13of committee members.
14Rule 58
15Clearing of Committee Room
16The chair of a committee may clear the committee
17room in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct.
18Rule 58A
19Use of Telephonic or Electronic Devices in Committee
20Rooms Restricted
211. In any committee room while a standing committee
22is in session:
23a. A person shall mute any cell phone, computer, or
24other electronic device under the person’s control.
25b. A person shall not use a cell phone or other
26electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
27communications.
282. The chair or acting chair of a standing
29committee may clear the committee room of any person
30acting in violation of this rule.
-30-1Rule 59
2Committee Amendments
3All amendments to a bill or resolution adopted in
4committee shall be incorporated in a single committee
5amendment or incorporated in a new committee bill.
6Rule 60
7Withdrawal of Bills, Joint Resolutions, or
8Nullification Resolutions From Committee
9A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
10resolution which has been in committee for eighteen
11legislative days following notation of such referral
12in the journal may be withdrawn from the committee and
13placed on the calendar by an affirmative vote of not
14less than fifty-one members of the house.
15Rule 61
16Committee Public Hearings
17The chair of a committee may call a public hearing
18for the purpose of receiving public comment on any
19matter within the purview of the committee.
20The chair shall call a public hearing upon the
21written request of committee members according to
22committee rules, but no more than one-third of the
23committee members shall be required.
24A public hearing shall not be called or requested
25after final action on the bill, joint resolution,
26or nullification resolution has been taken by the
27committee. However, a public hearing called or
28requested before final action has been taken by the
29committee may be held after final action on the bill,
30joint resolution, or nullification resolution has been
-31-1taken by the committee.
2The chair shall designate a time and place for a
3public hearing and provide public notice at least five
4days prior to a public hearing.
5A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
6resolution for which a public hearing has been called
7can be voted to the calendar but cannot be debated
8until after the public hearing has been held. If a
9bill, joint resolution, or nullification resolution
10for which a public hearing has been called is not
11debated by the house during the session in which it
12is introduced, the request for the public hearing is
13deemed to have lapsed upon adjournment sine die of that
14session.
15However, public hearings which have been requested
16during or after the 9th week of the first session and
17during or after the 7th week of the second session must
18be held within four legislative days of the date of the
19request.
20Rule 62
21Limitation on Filing of Claims
22All claims shall be referred to the appropriations
23committee. A claim referred to the appropriations
24committee in a prior session of the general assembly
25shall not be considered by the appropriations
26committee or by the house unless it has been
27specifically referred to this session by a vote of the
28appropriations committee. The appropriations committee
29is authorized to set a definite date each session after
30which it will not receive claims or claim bills for
-32-1consideration.
2DIVISION VI — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
3Rule 63
4Organization of Committee of the Whole
5In forming the committee of the whole house, the
6speaker shall appoint a member to preside in committee
7and then leave the chair.
8Rule 64
9Rules in Committee of the Whole
10The rules of the house shall be observed in
11committee of the whole house, so far as they are
12applicable.
13Rule 65
14Bills in Committee of the Whole
15Bills committed to the committee of the whole house
16shall first be debated by section. After the report
17of the committee of the whole, the bill shall again be
18subject to debate and amendment before a vote is had on
19its last reading and passage.
20Rule 66
21Amendments by Committee of the Whole
22All amendments made to a report committed to a
23committee of the whole house shall be noted and
24reported as in the case of bills.
25DIVISION VII — MOTIONS
26Rule 67
27Order and Precedence of Motions
28The following order of motions, listed in order
29of precedence, shall govern when a question is under
30debate:
-33- 11. Adjourn.
22. Recess.
33. Questions of privilege.
44. Lay on the table.
55. Previous question.
66. Limit debate.
77. Postpone definitely or to a certain time.
88. Refer or rerefer.
99. Defer.
1010. Amend an amendment.
1111. Amend.
1212. Postpone indefinitely.
13A motion to postpone definitely or to a certain
14time, to refer or commit, or to postpone indefinitely a
15particular question shall not be considered more than
16once on the same day.
17Adoption of a motion to strike the enacting words is
18equivalent to rejection of the question.
19Rule 68
20Order of Consideration of Amendments
21Amendments shall be considered by earliest position
22in the bill. Amendments to the same place in the bill
23shall be considered by the lowest amendment number. An
24amendment which inserts language after a line and an
25amendment which inserts language before the succeeding
26line shall be considered amendments to the same place
27in the bill.
28However, an amendment to strike the enacting clause
29shall always be considered first. An amendment filed
30by a committee shall have the next highest order of
-34-1priority, followed by an amendment to strike everything
2after the enacting clause and insert new language. An
3amendment to strike language or to strike and insert
4new language, except an amendment to strike everything
5after the enacting clause and insert new language,
6shall not be considered before amendments to perfect
7all or part of the same portion of the bill.
8Rule 69
9Motions Not Debatable
10The following motions are not debatable:
111. Adjourn.
122. Adjourn to a certain time.
133. Suspend house rules.
144. Previous question.
155. Close debate at a certain time.
166. Recess.
177. Defer.
188. Refer or rerefer.
199. Lay on the table.
2010. Take from the table.
2111. Call of the house.
2212. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
2313. Appeal a decision of the chair.
2414. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
25Rule 69A
26Constitutional Majority
271. The following motions require a constitutional
28majority for approval:
29a. Final passage of a bill, joint resolution, or
30nullification resolution.
-35- 1b. Lay on the table.
2c. Take from the table.
3d. Suspend house rules.
4e. Previous question.
5f. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
6g. Reconsider a bill, joint resolution, or
7nullification resolution.
8h. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
92. A division must be taken on any motion which
10requires a constitutional majority.
11Rule 70
12Motion to Adjourn
13A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except
14when a member is speaking or the house is voting.
15Rule 71
16Withdrawal of Motions
17After a motion is stated by the speaker or read by
18the chief clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession
19of the house, but may be withdrawn by leave of the
20house.
21Rule 72
22Unanimous Consent
23Unanimous consent of the members may be asked for
24suspension of any rule of the house. If there is no
25objection to the request, the rule shall be considered
26suspended.
27Rule 73
28Reconsideration
291. A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
30member who voted on the prevailing side of the question
-36-1sought to be reconsidered.
22. A motion to reconsider may be made not later
3than adjournment on the legislative day following
4the legislative day of the action sought to be
5reconsidered. Where the floor manager voted on
6the prevailing side, the floor manager has the
7prior right to make the motion, until adjournment
8on the legislative day of the action sought to be
9reconsidered. A motion to reconsider a nullification
10resolution shall be acted upon not later than
11adjournment on the legislative day following
12the legislative day of the action sought to be
13reconsidered.
143. A motion to reconsider made beginning the
15fifteenth week of the first regular session, or the
16thirteenth week of the second regular session, may be
17taken up when made. A motion made at any other time
18may be taken up prior to the third legislative day
19succeeding the legislative day of the action sought
20to be reconsidered only if called up by the mover,
21and after the second legislative day succeeding the
22legislative day of the action sought to be reconsidered
23if called up by any member.
244. The making of a motion to reconsider takes
25precedence over all other questions.
265. When passage, adoption, or failure of any bill,
27joint resolution, or nullification resolution is
28reconsidered, questions on amendments may also be
29reconsidered and shall be disposed of immediately.
306. In the event that a motion to reconsider
-37-1is pending at the end of the first session or any
2extraordinary session of any general assembly, or the
3general assembly adjourns sine die, and the motion to
4reconsider has not been voted upon by the house, the
5motion shall be determined to have failed.
6DIVISION VIII — VOTING
7Rule 74
8Manner of Voting
9Members present may cast their votes, either by
10operating the voting mechanism located at their
11assigned desk or by signaling the speaker from the
12floor of the house or from the south visitors’ gallery
13if they are unable to vote at their assigned desk.
14Only a member may operate the voting mechanism at that
15member’s assigned desk. The speaker shall announce the
16votes of members signaling their votes. Upon direction
17of the speaker only those members at their desks and
18voting shall be counted. Members who are not present
19shall not cast their votes except:
201. Members who have not voted may record their
21votes on any record roll call vote except quorum
22calls within ten minutes after the outcome of the
23vote has been announced. Members shall initial their
24recorded votes on a copy of the record roll call at the
25speaker’s station. However, if the aggregate of votes
26cast under this rule would change the outcome of the
27vote on a question, then none of the votes cast on the
28question under this rule shall be recorded. A member
29may request announcement of the names of members so
30recorded after the ten-minute period.
-38- 12. Members meeting in a conference committee
2or in administrative rules review committee at the
3time a vote is taken on a question may have their
4vote recorded within thirty minutes or adjournment,
5whichever is first, of that same legislative day,
6provided the aggregate of votes cast does not change
7the outcome of the vote on a question.
8Rule 75
9Voting in the House and Duty of Voting
10Voting on a question put to members on the floor of
11the house shall not occur between midnight and 8 a.m.
12on any legislative day except for voting on a motion to
13recess, defer, or adjourn. Except as limited in Rule
1476, every member who is in the house when a question is
15put shall vote unless the house has excused that member
16from voting for special reasons; however, such member
17must have asked to be excused from voting prior to the
18time the speaker puts the question.
19Rule 76
20Limitation on Right to Vote
21No member shall vote on any question in which
22the member or the member’s immediate family member,
23as defined in chapter 68B of the Code, has a direct
24financial interest different from other similarly
25situated persons or classes of persons of the general
26public.
27Rule 77
28Call of the House
29Upon written request of five members, the presiding
30officer shall compel attendance of absent and unexcused
-39-1members for the consideration of specified bills,
2resolutions, or amendments.
3A call of the house shall specify the propositions
4to which it is to apply and must be put into effect
5before roll call is taken on the proposition. The
6request may be filed with the chief clerk at any time
7before final action upon the propositions, who shall
8notify the house immediately.
9Rule 78
10Method of Calling the House
11Upon a call of the house, the names of the members
12shall be called by the chief clerk and the absentees
13noted, after which the names of the absentees shall
14again be called. The sergeant-at-arms shall be
15directed by the speaker to compel the attendance of
16absent members, unless they are previously excused.
17Any member occupying the member’s seat during a call
18of the house shall be counted by the speaker and that
19person’s name entered in the journal as being present
20for the purpose of making a quorum.
21Rule 79
22Method of Calling the Roll
23The electrical voting machine shall be used for a
24call of the house, a quorum call or a roll call vote
25on any question. If the electrical voting machine is
26not in operating order when it is necessary to take
27a record roll call vote, the presiding officer shall
28order the vote to be taken by calling the roll in
29alphabetical order, except the name of the presiding
30officer shall be called last.
-40- 1During the casting of the vote with the voting
2machine, the individual votes and the vote totals shall
3be shown on the display boards. Before the voting
4machine is closed, the presiding officer shall inquire
5of the house, “Have you all voted?”
6Rule 80
7Quorum and Record Roll Call Votes
8A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
9A record roll call vote shall be ordered upon
10request of any two members. The names of the members
11requesting the record roll call shall be entered in the
12journal.
13Rule 81
14Previous Question
15When a member moves for the previous question, the
16member shall state whether the motion will apply to the
17main question, to all the amendments, or to particular
18amendments. The motion requires an affirmative vote of
19at least a constitutional majority of the members. If
20the motion for a previous question is not adopted, the
21house shall proceed in the same manner as before the
22motion was made.
23If the motion is adopted, all debate must end and
24the house will vote upon the question except:
251. If the motion applies to the main question, the
26member in charge of the measure will have ten minutes
27to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
28the vote on the measure is taken.
292. If the motion applies to an amendment, the
30member proposing the amendment will have five minutes
-41-1to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
2the vote on the amendment is taken.
33. If a member has filed a written request with
4the chief clerk of the house indicating the member’s
5desire to speak on a particular question. The request
6must be filed before the motion is made by the movant.
7The request allows a member to speak on a particular
8question before the closing discussion by the member
9who is in charge of the measure or who is proposing the
10amendment.
11Rule 82
12Division of the Question
13Any member may call for a division of the question,
14which shall be divided if it comprehends questions so
15distinct that one being taken away, the remainder may
16stand separately for discussion by the house. Upon
17request to divide an amendment, the chief clerk shall
18restate the division and note the divided amendment in
19the house journal. An amendment to strike out being
20lost shall not preclude an amendment to strike out and
21insert. An amendment to strike out and insert shall be
22deemed indivisible.
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