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House Study Bill 48 - Introduced
An Act 1relating to permanent rules of the House
2of Representatives for the Eighty-ninth General
3Assembly.
4BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That
5the permanent rules of the House for the Eighty-eighth
6 Eighty-ninth 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.
-1-1Rule 3
2Absences from the House
3No member shall be absent without leave while the
4house is in session unless excused for good cause.
5Rule 4
6Preservation of Order
7The speaker shall preserve order and decorum and
8speak to points of order. Subject to an appeal to the
9house by any member, the speaker shall decide questions
10of order which shall not be debated.
11While recognized to speak in debate, a member
12shall not use any visual aids to explain to others the
13member’s points in the debate without leave of the
14speaker.
15The speaker may have the chamber of the house
16cleared in case of any disturbance or disorderly
17conduct.
18Only past legislators, state officials, persons
19whose presence is deemed by the speaker to be of
20special significance to the house, and school classes
21accompanied by teachers and seated in the galleries
22shall be introduced in the house.
23No person other than a member of the house shall be
24allowed to speak from the floor of the house without
25prior permission of the speaker.
26The public may take photographs from the galleries
27at any time. However, the use of flash bulbs or any
28other artificial lighting is prohibited.
29Members of the press may photograph from the press
30box, but shall not use artificial lighting without
-2-1prior permission from the chief clerk of the house.
2Photographs shall not be taken on the house floor when
3the members are voting on a question put before the
4house. Photographs or video recordings of the voting
5boards shall not be taken while a nonrecord roll call
6vote is displayed. Photographs may be taken on the
7house floor at other times with the consent of the
8subject or subjects of the photography.
9Rule 4A
10Use of Electronic Devices and Video Streaming in
11Chamber
121. A person present in the house chamber while the
13house is in order shall mute any cell phone, computer,
14or other electronic device under the person’s control.
15The speaker may remove from the chamber any person
16acting in violation of this rule.
172. A member shall not use a cell phone or other
18electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
19communications while recognized by the presiding
20officer to speak in debate.
213. The speaker shall control the time, place,
22and manner of use of the house’s internet video
23streaming system on the floor of the house and in the
24visitors’ galleries. However, the speaker shall not
25edit, censor, or shut off the house’s internet video
26streaming system during debate on the floor of the
27house.
28Rule 5
29Rules of Parliamentary Practice
30The rules of parliamentary practice in Mason’s
-3-1Manual of Legislative Procedure shall govern the house
2in all cases where they are not inconsistent with the
3standing rules of the house, joint rules of the house
4and senate, or customary practice of the house.
5Rule 5A
6House Budget
7The speaker of the house shall annually prepare a
8proposed budget for the house of representatives for
9the payment of expenses, salaries, per diems, and other
10items. The proposed budget shall be submitted on the
11fourteenth day of each legislative session to the house
12administration and rules committee, which shall approve
13a proposed budget in house resolution form. The house
14shall adopt a budget prior to adjournment.
15Rule 6
16The Speaker Pro Tempore
17The house shall, at its pleasure, elect a speaker
18pro tempore. When the speaker shall for any cause be
19absent, the speaker pro tempore shall preside, except
20when the chair is filled by appointment by either
21the speaker or the speaker pro tempore. If a vacancy
22occurs in the office of speaker, the speaker pro
23tempore shall assume the duties and responsibilities
24of the speaker until such time as the house shall elect
25a new speaker. The speaker or the speaker pro tempore
26shall have the right to name any member to perform the
27duties of speaker, but such substitution shall not
28extend beyond the adjournment. The acts of the speaker
29pro tempore shall have the same validity as those of
30the speaker. In the absence of both the speaker and
-4-1the speaker pro tempore, the house shall name a speaker
2who shall preside over it and perform all the duties of
3the speaker with the exception of signing bills, until
4such time as the speaker or speaker pro tempore shall
5be present, and the person’s acts shall have the same
6force and validity as those of the regularly elected
7speaker.
8Rule 7
9Amendment of Rules Reserved
10A motion to change or rescind a standing rule or
11order of the house requires one day’s notice.
12Rule 8
13Violation of House Rules
14The speaker shall, or any member may, call to order
15a member who violates the rules of the house. With
16leave of the house, the member called to order may be
17permitted to explain. If the case requires it, the
18member shall be subject to censure of the house.
19Rule 9
20Referral of Rule Violations
21The speaker shall, upon complaint of a member,
22or upon the speaker’s own motion, refer any alleged
23violation of house or joint rules by house members,
24employees or staff to the house ethics committee upon
25an initial finding that an investigation is warranted.
26The ethics committee shall investigate such
27allegations and report them back to the house with a
28recommendation.
29Rule 10
30Recognition and Decorum in Debate
-5- 1A member who wishes to speak in debate shall be
2appropriately attired, with male members wearing coat
3or tie. After recognition by the chair, a member
4shall respectfully address the presiding officer
5by saying “Mr.or Madam Speaker”. A member shall
6confine all remarks to the question under debate,
7shall be respectful of other members, and shall avoid
8referencing or questioning the motives of another
9member.
10No member shall leave the house while the speaker
11is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
12speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
13have been recognized by the speaker.
14Rule 11
15Limit on Debate
16No member shall speak more than once on the same
17question without leave of the speaker, nor more than
18twice until every member choosing to speak has spoken,
19except as provided in Rule 81. A member shall be
20limited to ten minutes debate on bills, resolutions,
21and amendments, but may be granted an extension of time
22by consent of the house. However, the floor manager
23of a bill or resolution and the lead sponsor of an
24amendment may exceed the ten-minute limit on opening
25and closing remarks. Only the floor manager of a bill
26or an amendment may speak during opening and closing
27remarks on the bill or amendment.
28Rule 12
29Decorum During Debate Reserved
30No member shall leave the house while the speaker
-6-1is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
2speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
3have been recognized by the speaker.
4Rule 13
5Stating the Question
6When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the
7speaker. A motion made in writing shall be passed to
8the speaker’s station before it is debated.
9Rule 14
10Putting the Question
11Questions shall be distinctly put in this form:
12“All those in favor of (the question) shall say ‘aye’;”
13and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “All
14those opposed to (the question) shall say ‘no’.”
15 If the speaker is in doubt or a member of the house
16requests, a nonrecord roll call vote shall be taken.
17DIVISION II — EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
18Rule 15
19Chief Clerk of the House
20The chief clerk of the house shall serve as
21parliamentarian and chief administrative officer of the
22house under the direction of the speaker of the house.
23The chief clerk shall supervise the chief clerk’s
24office; be responsible for the custody and safekeeping
25of all bills, resolutions, and amendments filed,
26except when they are in the custody of a committee;
27have charge of the daily journal; have control of all
28rooms assigned for the use of the house; attest to the
29accuracy and correctness of text and action on bills
30and resolutions; process the handling of amendments
-7-1when filed and during the floor consideration of bills;
2insert adopted amendments into bills before transmittal
3to the senate and prior to final enrollment; supervise
4legislative printing and the distribution of printed
5material; and perform all other duties pertaining to
6the office of the chief clerk.
7Rule 16
8Legislative and Session Days
9For purposes of these rules, a legislative day is a
10day when the house is called to order. A legislative
11day that runs past midnight is not considered a new
12legislative day. A session day is any calendar day
13beginning with the convening of the annual regular
14session and ending with adjournment sine die.
15Rule 17
16Sergeant-At-Arms
17The sergeant-at-arms shall execute all orders of
18the house and the presiding officer; perform all
19assigned duties related to the policing and good order
20of the house; supervise the entrance and exit of all
21persons to and from the chamber; promptly execute all
22messages, etc.; provide that the chamber is properly
23ventilated and open for the use of the members; and
24perform all other services pertaining to the office of
25sergeant-at-arms.
26Rule 18
27Secretaries
28Each member may hire a secretary for the legislative
29session who shall be under the general direction of the
30member and the chief clerk. Secretaries shall be on
-8-1duty at the house from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.Monday
2through Thursday and on other legislative days when
3required by the chief clerk, except when excused by the
4member for whom the secretary works. Secretaries shall
5perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
6member or the chief clerk.
7Rule 19
8Extra Compensation of Employees
9No employee shall receive any extra compensation,
10except as provided by the house, or tips for services
11performed while on duty. Any violation of this rule
12shall be grounds for removal.
13DIVISION III — VISITORS AND LOBBYISTS
14Rule 20
15Admission to the House; Lobbying
16The chamber of the house shall include the
17vestibule, restrooms, bill room, lounge, visitors’
18galleries, and floor of the house.
19The floor of the house shall consist of the
20area between the north and south walls, including
21the representatives’ desks, the press box, and the
22speaker’s station, but excluding the visitors’
23galleries.
24During a legislative day while the house is in
25order, no member of the general assembly or legislative
26employee or intern shall be admitted to the floor of
27the house if attired in jeans of any color without
28leave of the speaker.
29During a legislative day while the house is in
30order, and one-half hour before the house convenes and
-9-1one-half hour after the house recesses or adjourns,
2no person shall be admitted to the floor of the house
3except:
41. Members of the general assembly and authorized
5legislative employees in the performance of their
6duties.
72. Former members of the general assembly who are
8not registered lobbyists.
93. A general assembly member’s family.
104. Representatives of the press, radio, and
11television who shall go directly to and from the press
12box.
135. Legislative interns registered with the chief
14clerk who shall go directly to and from the seat of
15their assigned representative or to be seated in the
16perimeter seating area.
176. Designated representatives of a political party
18having members serving in the house.
197. Members of the state executive council, the
20lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
21governor’s executive assistants and administrative
22assistants, and the administrative rules coordinator,
23all of whom shall be confined to the perimeter area.
24The current status of former members of the general
25assembly shall govern their access to the floor under
26these rules.
27No other persons shall be allowed on the house floor
28while the house is in order without permission of the
29presiding officer of the house. When the house is not
30in order, guests of a member of the general assembly
-10-1escorted by that member shall be allowed on the house
2floor.
3No person admitted to the floor of the house while
4the house is in order, except members of the general
5assembly, shall lobby or attempt to exercise any
6influence with any member for or against any matter
7then pending or that may thereafter be considered by
8the house.
9A registered lobbyist shall not be admitted to
10the floor of the house on any legislative day except
11for ceremonial purposes or for attendance at public
12hearings.
13A lobbyist who represents the position of a state
14government agency, in which the person serves or is
15employed as the designated representative for purposes
16of encouraging the passage or defeat of legislation,
17shall file with the chief clerk of the house a
18statement of the general subjects of legislation in
19which the lobbyist is or may be interested, but shall
20not lobby for or against a bill, resolution, or study
21bill unless the lobbyist does so with the written
22authorization and on behalf of a statewide elected
23or retained official. The official’s writing may
24authorize the lobbyist to register and lobby for or
25against any or all bills in which the lobbyist is
26or may be interested or may restrict the lobbyist
27to register and lobby for or against only some bills
28in which the lobbyist is or may be interested. The
29written authorizations shall be filed with the chief
30clerk, according to a procedure established by the
-11-1clerk for the filing of the authorizations and for
2making them available to the public, by the following
3statewide elected or retained official for the
4following offices, departments, agencies, and branch:
5By the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary
6of state, and treasurer of state, for their respective
7offices.
8By the secretary of agriculture, for the department
9of agriculture and land stewardship.
10By the chairperson of the ethics and campaign
11disclosure board, for the executive director, legal
12counsel, and other employees of the board.
13By the governor, for all other executive branch
14offices and departments.
15By the chief justice of the supreme court, for the
16judicial branch.
17Each member, employee of the house, and registered
18lobbyist may report violations of this rule immediately
19to the sergeant-at-arms or the chief clerk.
20Any person for cause may be summarily dismissed
21from the chamber of the house, by action of the house,
22and may forfeit that person’s right to admission
23thereafter.
24Rule 20A
25Legislative Interns
26A member may appoint one or more interns who shall
27register with the chief clerk. Only one legislative
28intern per member of the house is allowed on the floor
29of the house at any one time.
30Rule 21
-12-1Distribution of Literature and Other Items
2No person except a member or employee of the house
3of representatives shall distribute or cause to be
4distributed any pamphlets, material, or other printed
5literature, or any other items to the members’ desks
6in the house without authorization. An employee
7of the house shall generally distribute or cause
8to be distributed such literature or items only on
9behalf of the employee’s office or staff. Items which
10are permissible gifts under chapter 68B of the Code
11may be distributed to the members’ desks with the
12authorization of the chief clerk.
13All copies of pamphlets, material, or printed
14literature distributed by a member or employee of the
15house of representatives shall bear the name of the
16member or employee’s office or staff.
17Other distributions of pamphlets, material, or
18other printed literature shall bear their source of
19origin and be distributed through the legislative
20post office or to the members’ desks by completing
21a form containing a member’s or the chief clerk’s
22authorization, with the authorization form filed with
23the chief clerk. The authorization form shall be
24retained for a reasonable time period by the chief
25clerk.
26Rule 22
27Distribution of Materials Printed by the State
28A member of the house shall not distribute maps,
29books, and pamphlets which have been printed by the
30state of Iowa and upon which the name of the member
-13-1of the house has been affixed unless the member has
2purchased the materials or unless the member has
3affixed the words “Paid for by the citizens of Iowa and
4distributed by representative (member’s name).”
5DIVISION IV — FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR BILLS AND OTHER
6DOCUMENTS
7Rule 23
8Documents Signed by the Speaker
9All acts and joint resolutions shall be signed by
10the speaker, and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas
11issued by order of the house, shall be signed by the
12speaker and attested by the chief clerk. The speaker
13shall cause certificates of recognition or condolence
14to be issued by the house which shall be signed by
15the speaker and the chief clerk. The chief clerk
16shall maintain a list of certificates issued including
17the name of the requesting member of the house, the
18name of the recipient, the reason for recognition or
19condolence, and the date of issuance.
20Rule 24
21Presentation of Petitions
22All petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed
23to the house shall be signed by the member and filed
24with the chief clerk. The receipt of petitions shall
25be noted in the journal and such petitions shall be
26available in the office of the chief clerk. At the
27conclusion of each general assembly, the chief clerk
28may dispose of petitions received during that general
29assembly.
30Rule 25
-14-1Consideration of Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
2Action on a simple or concurrent resolution, except
3a memorial resolution, shall not be taken until one day
4after the resolution has been placed on the members’
5desks. After the resolution is adopted, the chief
6clerk shall have the resolution printed in the compiled
7journal and shall transmit certified copies of the
8resolution as directed.
9Rule 26
10Unanimous Consent Calendar
11The speaker may, upon the request of three members,
12place on a unanimous consent calendar any house
13resolution or concurrent resolution which does not
14contain an appropriation and which has been laid over
15under Rule 25.
16If such resolution is placed on the unanimous
17consent calendar, it may be removed only upon a written
18request submitted to the speaker by a member of the
19house.
20If not removed after five legislative days, the
21chief clerk shall call up the resolution and without
22debate the speaker shall pronounce that it has passed
23by unanimous consent.
24If the resolution is removed from the unanimous
25consent calendar, the speaker may again lay the
26resolution over under Rule 25, place it on a different
27calendar, or refer the resolution to any of the
28standing committees of the house.
29Rule 26A
30Senate Bills and Resolutions
-15- 1A senate bill or resolution may be referred to a
2standing committee or passed on file.
3Rule 27
4Forms of Bills and Joint Resolutions
5Every house bill shall be introduced by one or more
6members or by any standing or specially authorized
7committee of the house or the administrative rules
8review committee. All bills and joint resolutions
9introduced shall be prepared by the legislative
10services agency with title, enacting clause, text
11and explanation as directed by the chief clerk of the
12house. One copy of each bill shall be presented in a
13bill cover with the number of copies of the bill and
14the title as directed by the chief clerk.
15Rule 28
16Joint and Nullification Resolutions
17Joint resolutions shall be framed and treated as
18bills.
19A “nullification resolution” is a joint resolution
20which nullifies all of an administrative rule, or
21a severable item of an administrative rule adopted
22pursuant to chapter 17A of the Code. A nullification
23resolution shall not amend an administrative rule by
24adding language or by inserting new language in lieu of
25existing language.
26A nullification resolution may be introduced by an
27individual, a standing committee or the administrative
28rules review committee, and may be referred to a
29standing committee. A nullification resolution is
30debatable, but cannot be amended on the floor of the
-16-1house.
2Rule 29
3Time of Introduction of Bills
4No bill or joint resolution under individual
5sponsorship, other than a nullification resolution,
6shall be read for the first time after 4:30 p.m.on
7Friday of the fifth week of the first regular session
8of the general assembly unless a formal request for
9drafting the bill has been filed with the legislative
10services agency before that time.
11After adjournment of the first regular session,
12bills may be prefiled at any time before the convening
13of the second regular session. No bill or joint
14resolution under individual sponsorship, other than a
15nullification resolution, shall be read for the first
16time after 4:30 p.m.on Friday of the second week of
17the second regular session of the general assembly
18unless a formal request for drafting the bill has been
19filed with the legislative services agency before that
20time.
21However, bills or joint resolutions sponsored
22by standing committees or the administrative rules
23review committee, co-sponsored by the majority and
24minority floor leaders, or companion bills sponsored
25by the house majority leader and the senate majority
26leader may be drafted and introduced at any time
27permissible under Joint Rule 20. House, concurrent,
28and nullification resolutions may be introduced at any
29time.
30Rule 30
-17-1Introduction and Reading of Bills
2All bills and resolutions to be introduced in the
3house shall be prepared in proper form and filed
4with the chief clerk no later than 4:30 p.m.on the
5legislative day preceding its introduction.
6Every bill shall receive two readings but no bill
7shall receive its first and last readings on the same
8day.
9A “reading of a bill” as required by these rules
10shall consist of a reading of the title and enacting
11clause.
12Rule 31
13First Reading, Commitment, and Amendment
141. A bill is introduced into the house by an
15initial or “first reading of the bill”.
162. When the house is in session the first reading
17shall consist of a “reading” as provided in Rule 30.
183. Upon a first reading of the bill, the speaker
19shall state that it is ready for commitment or
20amendment; and the speaker shall commit it to the
21standing or select committee, or to a committee of the
22whole house. If to a committee of the whole house, the
23house shall determine on what day.
244. On a nonlegislative day the speaker may cause a
25statement, which shall consist of the title, enacting
26clause, bill number and committee to which the bill
27is referred, to be published in the house journal.
28This publication shall constitute a first reading and
29commitment and shall contain the notation “read and
30committed under Rule 31”.
-18- 15. All amendments offered to bills and resolutions
2shall be accompanied by such copies as the chief clerk
3shall direct.
46. Such amendments shall give the number of
5the bill sought to amend and the chief clerk shall
6designate each such amendment thus: Amendment to
7House File _________, or Senate File ________, by
8___________.
97. A bill reported out by committee shall go to the
10speaker who shall direct that the bill be placed on the
11regular calendar unless it covers subject matter more
12properly within the jurisdiction of some other standing
13committee, in which case the speaker may refer the bill
14to the proper standing committee. In order to expedite
15important business and set a definite time for the
16bill’s consideration, the speaker may direct the bill
17to be placed on the special order calendar.
188. No amendment to the rules of the house, to any
19resolution or bill, except technical amendments and
20amendments to bills substituted for by senate files
21containing substantially identical title, language,
22subject matter, purpose and intrasectional arrangement,
23shall be considered by the membership of the house
24without a copy of the amendment having been filed with
25the chief clerk by 4:00 p.m.or within one-half hour of
26adjournment, whichever is later, on the day preceding
27floor debate on the amendment. If the house adjourns
28prior to 2:00 p.m.on Friday, the final deadline is two
29hours after adjournment. However, committee amendments
30filed pursuant to the submission of the committee
-19-1report may be accepted after this deadline. This
2provision shall not apply to any proposal debated on
3the floor of the house after the thirteenth week of
4the first session and the twelfth week of the second
5session. No amendment or amendment to an amendment
6to a bill, rule of the house, or resolution shall be
7considered by the membership of the house without
8a copy of the amendment being on the desks of the
9entire membership of the house prior to consideration.
10However, the membership of the house may consider an
11amendment or an amendment to an amendment to a bill,
12rule of the house, or resolution without a copy of the
13amendment being on the desks of the entire membership
14of the house prior to consideration if a copy of the
15amendment is made available to the entire membership of
16the house electronically.
17Rule 32
18Commitment of Appropriation and Revenue Bills
19All bills to appropriate money shall be referred to
20the appropriations committee, and all bills pertaining
21to the levy, assessment, or collection of taxes or fees
22shall be referred to the committee on ways and means.
23Rule 33
24Regular Calendar
25Bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
26resolutions reported out for passage, amendment and
27passage, or without recommendation by a committee,
28or passed on file shall be arranged on a regular
29calendar by the chief clerk each day and electronically
30distributed to the members at the opening of each
-20-1legislative day. The regular calendar shall include
2a list of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
3resolutions which have been special ordered, including
4the date upon which debate is scheduled to begin on
5each of them, which shall be no sooner than five three
6 session days from the first date of publication on the
7regular calendar.
8Rule 34
9Daily Debate Calendar
10The majority floor leadership shall cause to be
11prepared and electronically distributed to the members
12at the opening of each legislative day when floor
13action is scheduled, a daily debate calendar consisting
14of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
15resolutions from the regular calendar setting forth the
16number and title of bills, nullification resolutions,
17and joint resolutions for the next legislative day that
18floor action is scheduled.
19This rule does not apply to bills which have passed
20both houses in different forms, reconsiderations, or
21veto reconsiderations.
22Rule 35
23Substitution of Bills
24A senate bill or resolution may be substituted
25for an identical house bill or resolution which has
26been called up for debate. An amendment to a senate
27bill or resolution which has been substituted for an
28identical house bill or resolution is out of order if
29an identical amendment to the house bill or resolution
30was considered.
-21- 1If a bill is moved to unfinished business and a
2similar senate bill is also on the calendar, both bills
3shall be moved to unfinished business.
4Rule 36
5Consideration of Committee Amendments
6After a bill has been referred and reported back,
7it shall be considered on its first reading after the
8amendments of the committee have been read.
9Rule 37
10Amendments to Special Order Bills
11All amendments to bills which have been special
12ordered shall be filed at least three session days
13prior to the date set for debate. Amendments to an
14amendment shall be filed at least two session days
15prior to the date set for debate. However, corrective
16amendments and amendments sponsored by either the
17majority floor leader or the minority floor leader may
18be filed at any time. Rule 31, subsection 8, shall not
19apply to these amendments.
20A corrective amendment is an amendment which does
21not substantively change the amendment or the bill.
22Rule 38
23Germane Amendments
24An amendment must be germane to the subject matter
25of the bill it seeks to amend. An amendment to an
26amendment must be germane to both the amendment and the
27bill it seeks to amend. When a member objects to an
28amendment on grounds that the amendment is not germane,
29the speaker may invite members, who shall include the
30majority and minority leaders, to the speaker’s station
-22-1to discuss the objection.
2Rule 39
3Consideration of Bills
4Bills, including committee bills, joint resolutions,
5and nullification resolutions, reported out for
6passage, for amendment and passage, or without
7recommendation by the committee, are first eligible to
8be acted upon beginning the third legislative day they
9appear on the regular calendar.
10Committee reports shall be printed in the journal
11immediately after they are filed with the chief clerk.
12Reports recommending bills, joint resolutions, and
13nullification resolutions for passage, for amendment
14and passage, or without recommendation shall stand
15approved unless written objections are filed during
16the first legislative day following their printing in
17the journal. If objections are filed, they shall be
18disposed of as soon as possible.
19Rule 40
20Consideration of Bills Upon Last Reading
21No amendment, unless by way of correcting an error
22or omission, shall be received to any bill on its last
23reading, and no debate shall be allowed on it.
24Rule 41
25Printing of Bills and Joint Resolutions
26Bills and joint resolutions shall be printed in form
27as provided by law and by rule. Each house may direct
28the printing of an additional number of its own bills.
29Legalizing bills of a local or private nature shall
30be printed in bill form and placed in the files of the
-23-1members, the same as other bills, in the order of their
2introduction. The cost of printing shall be deposited
3with the treasurer of state in advance at a rate to be
4fixed, and the newspaper publication of the bill shall
5be without cost to the state. No legalizing act may
6be introduced until all provisions of law have been
7complied with.
8Rule 42
9Certification and Engrossment of Bills
10The chief clerk shall certify the passage of each
11bill and note the date of its passage.
12In engrossing a bill, the chief clerk shall
13correct all obvious typographical, spelling, or other
14clerical errors and change section subunit numbers
15and letters and internal references as required to
16conform the original bill to any amendments which have
17been adopted. The chief clerk shall report all such
18corrections or changes in the journal. The engrossed
19bill shall be placed in the bill file with the original
20bill and amendments.
21Rule 43
22Rereferral
23A bill may be rereferred by the speaker or, upon
24motion, by the house at any time before its passage and
25after the report of its referral to committee.
26Rule 44
27Effect of Indefinite Postponement
28When a question is indefinitely postponed, it shall
29not be acted upon again during that session.
30Rule 45
-24-1Status of Bills Following First Regular Session
2Except for those bills which have been adopted
3by both houses in different forms, all bills which
4have not been withdrawn, defeated, or indefinitely
5postponed, shall be rereferred to committee upon
6adjournment of the first regular session. Within
7seven days after the first committee meeting following
8convening of the second regular session, the committee
9chair shall submit the bill to the full committee
10for action or the chair shall reassign the bill to a
11subcommittee.
12DIVISION V — COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
13Rule 46
14Appointment of Committees
15All committees shall be appointed by the speaker,
16unless otherwise especially directed by the house.
17Minority party members of a committee shall be
18appointed by the speaker upon recommendation of the
19minority leader.
20Rule 47
21Reserved
22Rule 48
23Study Bills
24A study bill is any matter which a member of the
25house chairperson of a standing committee wishes to
26have considered by a the standing committee of which
27the member is the chair, other than appropriations,
28without being introduced in the house by a first
29reading. A study bill shall be prepared in proper form
30by the legislative services agency prior to submission.
-25- 1Upon taking possession of a study bill, the
2committee chair shall notify the speaker and then
3submit four copies of the bill to the legal counsel’s
4office for numbering.
5A study bill shall bear the name of the member who
6wishes to have the bill considered committee chair. A
7study bill submitted by a state agency or board for
8consideration shall bear the name of the state agency
9or board. A committee chair may submit a study bill in
10the name of that committee.
11Final committee action on a study bill shall not be
12taken until one day following the notation of the study
13bill assignment in the house journal.
14Rule 49
15Committee Meetings
16No committee, except a conference committee or the
17administrative rules review committee, shall meet
18while the house is in session without special leave.
19Committees with overlapping memberships shall not meet
20at the same time without special leave.
21Rule 50
22Smoking Prohibited
23Smoking shall not be permitted in the house or in
24any area of the capitol building.
25Rule 51
26Assignments to Subcommittee
27The chair of the committee shall report to the house
28the bill number of each bill assigned to subcommittee
29and the names of the subcommittee members. The report
30shall be printed in the journal.
-26- 1All bills, prior to consideration by the committee,
2shall be referred by the chair to a subcommittee,
3unless acted upon by a committee of the whole.
4The chair may assign bills to subcommittees without
5a meeting of the committee, but the membership of the
6subcommittee so appointed shall be reported at the next
7meeting of to the committee by the chair.
8Rule 52
9Open Meetings
10Standing committee meetings shall be open, and
11voting by secret ballot is prohibited. The committee
12on administration and rules may close its meetings to
13evaluate the professional competency of an individual.
14Rule 53
15Quorum and Vote Requirements
16The committee roll shall be taken at the convening
17of each meeting to determine the presence of a quorum.
18A majority of the committee membership shall constitute
19a quorum.
20An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee
21membership is required to report a bill out of
22committee or to suspend a committee rule.
23A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
24committee member who voted on the prevailing side of
25the question sought to be reconsidered. A motion to
26reconsider may only be made prior to the adjournment of
27the committee meeting at which the bill was reported
28out.
29If a member, who is in the committee room when a
30question to report a bill out of committee is put, has
-27-1not asked to be excused prior to commencing to take
2the vote on the question, the member shall vote aye
3or nay unless the committee has excused the member for
4special reasons. However, a member may pass on the
5first taking of the roll call on the question but shall
6vote aye or nay when the member’s name is called for a
7second time.
8Rule 54
9Committee Attendance Record and Report of Committee
10Form
111. A committee attendance record shall be filed
12with the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two
13hours after the house convenes, whichever is later,
14of the legislative day immediately following the day
15of the committee meeting. The committee attendance
16record is a public record and may be published in the
17journal. The committee attendance record shall include
18the following information:
19a. The time the meeting convened.
20b. The members present at the meeting.
21c. The time the meeting adjourned.
22d. A list of bills receiving final committee
23disposition.
242. A report of committee form shall be filed with
25the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two hours
26after the house convenes, whichever is later, of the
27legislative day immediately following the day of the
28committee meeting for each study bill, numbered bill
29or resolution receiving final committee disposition.
30The report of committee form is a public record and
-28-1a report of committee action shall be printed in the
2journal. The report of committee form shall include
3the following information:
4a. The committee action taken.
5b. The committee amendment number, if any.
6c. The roll call vote of the committee on final
7disposition.
8d. The minority recommendation, if any.
93. Upon final adjournment of the first session
10and final adjournment of the second session of the
11general assembly, the chair of each committee shall
12have placed the committee’s book of record containing
13minutes, record roll calls on final disposition, record
14roll call votes on any amendments considered, rules,
15etc., with the chief clerk for access of any interested
16person.
17Rule 55
18Minority Recommendation
19The minority of the members of a committee may
20present its recommendations on the final disposition
21of a bill to the house by attaching its recommendation
22to the committee report. The minority recommendation
23shall be noted in the journal along with the committee
24report.
25Rule 56
26Committee Amendment
27Whenever a committee amendment is proposed which
28would amend another committee amendment, the amendment
29shall be drafted in the form of a substitute amendment
30and shall be considered as such.
-29-1Rule 57
2Committee Notice and Agenda
3Each committee shall prepare and publish a notice
4and agenda of each committee meeting at least one
5legislative day prior to the meeting. The notice and
6agenda may be placed on the desks of or transmitted
7electronically to committee members.
8The notice shall contain the committee name, the
9date, time, and location of the meeting.
10The agenda shall contain the matters to be
11discussed, including a list of bills, joint
12resolutions, nullification resolutions, and study
13bills by number. The agenda should contain the names
14of individuals who are scheduled to appear before the
15committee and the organization which they represent.
16A bill, joint resolution, nullification resolution,
17or study bill shall not be reported out of committee if
18the bill was not included in the published notice and
19agenda unless this rule is suspended by a majority of
20the total membership of the committee.
21A committee chair may call a meeting without
22providing the required notice and agenda upon leave
23of the house if a notice is either electronically
24transmitted to committee members or placed on the desks
25of committee members.
26Rule 58
27Clearing of Committee Room
28The chair of a committee may clear the committee
29room in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct.
30Rule 58A
-30-1Use of Telephonic or Electronic Devices in Committee
2Rooms Restricted
31. In any committee room while a standing committee
4is in session:
5a. A person shall mute any cell phone, computer, or
6other electronic device under the person’s control.
7b. A person shall not use a cell phone or other
8electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
9communications.
102. The chair or acting chair of a standing
11committee may clear the committee room of any person
12acting in violation of this rule.
13Rule 59
14Committee Amendments
15All amendments to a bill or resolution adopted in
16committee shall be incorporated in a single committee
17amendment or incorporated in a new committee bill.
18Rule 60
19Withdrawal of Bills, Joint Resolutions, or
20Nullification Resolutions From Committee
21A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
22resolution which has been in committee for eighteen
23legislative days following notation of such referral
24in the journal may be withdrawn from the committee and
25placed on the calendar by an affirmative vote of not
26less than fifty-one members of the house.
27Rule 61
28Committee Public Hearings
29The chair of a committee may call a public hearing
30for the purpose of receiving public comment on any
-31-1matter within the purview of the committee.
2The chair shall call a public hearing upon the
3written request of committee members according to
4committee rules, but no more than one-third of the
5committee members shall be required.
6A public hearing shall not be called or requested
7after final action on the bill, joint resolution,
8or nullification resolution has been taken by the
9committee. However, a public hearing called or
10requested before final action has been taken by the
11committee may be held after final action on the bill,
12joint resolution, or nullification resolution has been
13taken by the committee.
14The chair shall designate a time and place the day
15 for a public hearing and provide public notice at least
16five four days prior to a public hearing. A public
17hearing shall take place in room 103 of the capitol
18building and shall begin at 5:00 p.m. A speaker shall
19not speak for more than two minutes. As is possible,
20speakers shall be alternated between speakers speaking
21in favor of the matter and speakers opposed to the
22matter.
23A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
24resolution for which a public hearing has been called
25can be voted to the calendar but cannot be debated
26until after the public hearing has been held. If a
27bill, joint resolution, or nullification resolution
28for which a public hearing has been called is not
29debated by the house during the session in which it
30is introduced, the request for the public hearing is
-32-1deemed to have lapsed upon adjournment sine die of that
2session.
3However, public hearings which have been requested
4during or after the 9th week of the first session and
5during or after the 7th week of the second session must
6be held within four legislative days of the date of the
7request.
8Rule 62
9Limitation on Filing of Claims
10All claims shall be referred to the appropriations
11committee. A claim referred to the appropriations
12committee in a prior session of the general assembly
13shall not be considered by the appropriations
14committee or by the house unless it has been
15specifically referred to this session by a vote of the
16appropriations committee. The appropriations committee
17is authorized to set a definite date each session after
18which it will not receive claims or claim bills for
19consideration.
20DIVISION VI — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
21Rule 63
22Organization of Committee of the Whole
23In forming the committee of the whole house, the
24speaker shall appoint a member to preside in committee
25and then leave the chair.
26Rule 64
27Rules in Committee of the Whole
28The rules of the house shall be observed in
29committee of the whole house, so far as they are
30applicable.
-33-1Rule 65
2Bills in Committee of the Whole
3Bills committed to the committee of the whole house
4shall first be debated by section. After the report
5of the committee of the whole, the bill shall again be
6subject to debate and amendment before a vote is had on
7its last reading and passage.
8Rule 66
9Amendments by Committee of the Whole
10All amendments made to a report committed to a
11committee of the whole house shall be noted and
12reported as in the case of bills.
13DIVISION VII — MOTIONS
14Rule 67
15Order and Precedence of Motions
16The following order of motions, listed in order
17of precedence, shall govern when a question is under
18debate:
191. Adjourn.
202. Recess.
213. Questions of privilege.
224. Lay on the table.
235. Previous question.
246. Limit debate.
257. Postpone definitely or to a certain time.
268. Refer or rerefer.
279. Defer.
2810. Amend an amendment.
2911. Amend.
3012. Postpone indefinitely.
-34- 1A motion to postpone definitely or to a certain
2time, to refer or commit, or to postpone indefinitely a
3particular question shall not be considered more than
4once on the same day.
5Adoption of a motion to strike the enacting words is
6equivalent to rejection of the question.
7Rule 68
8Order of Consideration of Amendments
9Amendments shall be considered by earliest position
10in the bill. Amendments to the same place in the bill
11shall be considered by the lowest amendment number. An
12amendment which inserts language after a line and an
13amendment which inserts language before the succeeding
14line shall be considered amendments to the same place
15in the bill.
16However, an amendment to strike the enacting clause
17shall always be considered first. An amendment filed
18by a committee shall have the next highest order of
19priority, followed by an amendment to strike everything
20after the enacting clause and insert new language. An
21amendment to strike language or to strike and insert
22new language, except an amendment to strike everything
23after the enacting clause and insert new language,
24shall not be considered before amendments to perfect
25all or part of the same portion of the bill.
26Rule 69
27Motions Not Debatable
28The following motions are not debatable:
291. Adjourn.
302. Adjourn to a certain time.
-35- 13. Suspend house rules.
24. Previous question.
35. Close debate at a certain time.
46. Recess.
57. Defer.
68. Refer or rerefer.
79. Lay on the table.
810. Take from the table.
911. Call of the house.
1012. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
1113. Appeal a decision of the chair.
1214. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
13Rule 69A
14Constitutional Majority
151. The following motions require a constitutional
16majority for approval:
17a. Final passage of a bill, joint resolution, or
18nullification resolution.
19b. Lay on the table.
20c. Take from the table.
21d. Suspend house rules.
22e. Previous question.
23f. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
24g. Reconsider a bill, joint resolution, or
25nullification resolution.
26h. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
272. A division must be taken on any motion which
28requires a constitutional majority.
29Rule 70
30Motion to Adjourn
-36- 1A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except
2when a member is speaking or the house is voting.
3Rule 71
4Withdrawal of Motions
5After a motion is stated by the speaker or read by
6the chief clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession
7of the house, but may be withdrawn by leave of the
8house.
9Rule 72
10Unanimous Consent
11Unanimous consent of the members may be asked for
12suspension of any rule of the house. If there is no
13objection to the request, the rule shall be considered
14suspended.
15Rule 73
16Reconsideration
171. A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
18member who voted on the prevailing side of the question
19sought to be reconsidered.
202. A motion to reconsider may be made not later
21than adjournment on the legislative day following
22the legislative day of the action sought to be
23reconsidered. Where the floor manager voted on
24the prevailing side, the floor manager has the
25prior right to make the motion, until adjournment
26on the legislative day of the action sought to be
27reconsidered. A motion to reconsider a nullification
28resolution shall be acted upon not later than
29adjournment on the legislative day following
30the legislative day of the action sought to be
-37-1reconsidered.
23. A motion to reconsider made beginning the
3fifteenth week of the first regular session, or the
4thirteenth week of the second regular session, may be
5taken up when made. A motion made at any other time
6may be taken up prior to the third legislative day
7succeeding the legislative day of the action sought
8to be reconsidered only if called up by the mover,
9and after the second legislative day succeeding the
10legislative day of the action sought to be reconsidered
11if called up by any member.
124. The making of a motion to reconsider takes
13precedence over all other questions.
145. When passage, adoption, or failure of any bill,
15joint resolution, or nullification resolution is
16reconsidered, questions on amendments may also be
17reconsidered and shall be disposed of immediately.
186. In the event that a motion to reconsider
19is pending at the end of the first session or any
20extraordinary session of any general assembly, or the
21general assembly adjourns sine die, and the motion to
22reconsider has not been voted upon by the house, the
23motion shall be determined to have failed.
24DIVISION VIII — VOTING
25Rule 74
26Manner of Voting
27Members present may cast their votes, either by
28operating the voting mechanism located at their
29assigned desk or by signaling the speaker from the
30floor of the house or from the south visitors’ gallery
-38-1if they are unable to vote at their assigned desk.
2Only a member may operate the voting mechanism at that
3member’s assigned desk. The speaker shall announce the
4votes of members signaling their votes. Upon direction
5of the speaker only those members at their desks and
6voting shall be counted. Members who are not present
7shall not cast their votes except:
81. Members who have not voted may record their
9votes on any record roll call vote except quorum calls
10within twenty minutes after the outcome of the vote
11has been announced during the first session of the
12eighty-ninth general assembly and within ten minutes
13after the outcome of the vote has been announced
14during the second session of the eighty-ninth general
15assembly. Members shall initial their recorded votes
16on a copy of the record roll call at the speaker’s
17station. However, if the aggregate of votes cast
18under this rule would change the outcome of the vote
19on a question, then none of the votes cast on the
20question under this rule shall be recorded. A member
21may request announcement of the names of members so
22recorded after the twenty-minute period or ten-minute
23period, as applicable.
242. Members meeting in a conference committee
25or in administrative rules review committee at the
26time a vote is taken on a question may have their
27vote recorded within thirty minutes or adjournment,
28whichever is first, of that same legislative day,
29provided the aggregate of votes cast does not change
30the outcome of the vote on a question.
-39-1Rule 75
2Voting in the House and Duty of Voting
3Voting on a question put to members on the floor of
4the house shall not occur between midnight and 8 a.m.
5on any legislative day except for voting on a motion to
6recess, defer, or adjourn. Except as limited in Rule
776, every member who is in the house when a question is
8put shall vote unless the house has excused that member
9from voting for special reasons; however, such member
10must have asked to be excused from voting prior to the
11time the speaker puts the question.
12Rule 76
13Limitation on Right to Vote
14No member shall vote on any question in which
15the member or the member’s immediate family member,
16as defined in chapter 68B of the Code, has a direct
17financial interest different from other similarly
18situated persons or classes of persons of the general
19public.
20Rule 77
21Call of the House
22Upon written request of five members, the presiding
23officer shall compel attendance of absent and unexcused
24members for the consideration of specified bills,
25resolutions, or amendments.
26A call of the house shall specify the propositions
27to which it is to apply and must be put into effect
28before roll call is taken on the proposition. The
29request may be filed with the chief clerk at any time
30before final action upon the propositions, who shall
-40-1notify the house immediately.
2Rule 78
3Method of Calling the House
4Upon a call of the house, the names of the members
5shall be called by the chief clerk and the absentees
6noted, after which the names of the absentees shall
7again be called. The sergeant-at-arms shall be
8directed by the speaker to compel the attendance of
9absent members, unless they are previously excused.
10Any member occupying the member’s seat during a call
11of the house shall be counted by the speaker and that
12person’s name entered in the journal as being present
13for the purpose of making a quorum.
14Rule 79
15Method of Calling the Roll
16The electrical voting machine shall be used for a
17call of the house, a quorum call or a roll call vote
18on any question. If the electrical voting machine is
19not in operating order when it is necessary to take
20a record roll call vote, the presiding officer shall
21order the vote to be taken by calling the roll in
22alphabetical order, except the name of the presiding
23officer shall be called last.
24During the casting of the vote with the voting
25machine, the individual votes and the vote totals shall
26be shown on the display boards. Before the voting
27machine is closed, the presiding officer shall inquire
28of the house, “Have you all voted?”
29Rule 80
30Quorum and Record Roll Call Votes
-41- 1A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
2A record roll call vote shall be ordered upon
3request of any two members. The names of the members
4requesting the record roll call shall be entered in the
5journal.
6Rule 81
7Previous Question
8When a member moves for the previous question, the
9member shall state whether the motion will apply to the
10main question, to all the amendments, or to particular
11amendments. The motion requires an affirmative vote of
12at least a constitutional majority of the members. If
13the motion for a previous question is not adopted, the
14house shall proceed in the same manner as before the
15motion was made.
16If the motion is adopted, all debate must end and
17the house will vote upon the question except:
181. If the motion applies to the main question, the
19member in charge of the measure will have ten minutes
20to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
21the vote on the measure is taken.
222. If the motion applies to an amendment, the
23member proposing the amendment will have five minutes
24to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
25the vote on the amendment is taken.
263. If a member has filed a written request with
27the chief clerk of the house indicating the member’s
28desire to speak on a particular question. The request
29must be filed before the motion is made by the movant.
30The request allows a member to speak on a particular
-42-1question before the closing discussion by the member
2who is in charge of the measure or who is proposing the
3amendment.
4Rule 82
5Division of the Question
6Any member may call for a division of the question,
7which shall be divided if it comprehends questions so
8distinct that one being taken away, the remainder may
9stand separately for discussion by the house. Upon
10request to divide an amendment, the chief clerk shall
11restate the division and note the divided amendment in
12the house journal. An amendment to strike out being
13lost shall not preclude an amendment to strike out and
14insert. An amendment to strike out and insert shall be
15deemed indivisible.
-43-tm/jh
An Act 1relating to permanent rules of the House
2of Representatives for the Eighty-ninth General
3Assembly.
4BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That
5the permanent rules of the House for the Eighty-eighth
6 Eighty-ninth 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.
-1-1Rule 3
2Absences from the House
3No member shall be absent without leave while the
4house is in session unless excused for good cause.
5Rule 4
6Preservation of Order
7The speaker shall preserve order and decorum and
8speak to points of order. Subject to an appeal to the
9house by any member, the speaker shall decide questions
10of order which shall not be debated.
11While recognized to speak in debate, a member
12shall not use any visual aids to explain to others the
13member’s points in the debate without leave of the
14speaker.
15The speaker may have the chamber of the house
16cleared in case of any disturbance or disorderly
17conduct.
18Only past legislators, state officials, persons
19whose presence is deemed by the speaker to be of
20special significance to the house, and school classes
21accompanied by teachers and seated in the galleries
22shall be introduced in the house.
23No person other than a member of the house shall be
24allowed to speak from the floor of the house without
25prior permission of the speaker.
26The public may take photographs from the galleries
27at any time. However, the use of flash bulbs or any
28other artificial lighting is prohibited.
29Members of the press may photograph from the press
30box, but shall not use artificial lighting without
-2-1prior permission from the chief clerk of the house.
2Photographs shall not be taken on the house floor when
3the members are voting on a question put before the
4house. Photographs or video recordings of the voting
5boards shall not be taken while a nonrecord roll call
6vote is displayed. Photographs may be taken on the
7house floor at other times with the consent of the
8subject or subjects of the photography.
9Rule 4A
10Use of Electronic Devices and Video Streaming in
11Chamber
121. A person present in the house chamber while the
13house is in order shall mute any cell phone, computer,
14or other electronic device under the person’s control.
15The speaker may remove from the chamber any person
16acting in violation of this rule.
172. A member shall not use a cell phone or other
18electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
19communications while recognized by the presiding
20officer to speak in debate.
213. The speaker shall control the time, place,
22and manner of use of the house’s internet video
23streaming system on the floor of the house and in the
24visitors’ galleries. However, the speaker shall not
25edit, censor, or shut off the house’s internet video
26streaming system during debate on the floor of the
27house.
28Rule 5
29Rules of Parliamentary Practice
30The rules of parliamentary practice in Mason’s
-3-1Manual of Legislative Procedure shall govern the house
2in all cases where they are not inconsistent with the
3standing rules of the house, joint rules of the house
4and senate, or customary practice of the house.
5Rule 5A
6House Budget
7The speaker of the house shall annually prepare a
8proposed budget for the house of representatives for
9the payment of expenses, salaries, per diems, and other
10items. The proposed budget shall be submitted on the
11fourteenth day of each legislative session to the house
12administration and rules committee, which shall approve
13a proposed budget in house resolution form. The house
14shall adopt a budget prior to adjournment.
15Rule 6
16The Speaker Pro Tempore
17The house shall, at its pleasure, elect a speaker
18pro tempore. When the speaker shall for any cause be
19absent, the speaker pro tempore shall preside, except
20when the chair is filled by appointment by either
21the speaker or the speaker pro tempore. If a vacancy
22occurs in the office of speaker, the speaker pro
23tempore shall assume the duties and responsibilities
24of the speaker until such time as the house shall elect
25a new speaker. The speaker or the speaker pro tempore
26shall have the right to name any member to perform the
27duties of speaker, but such substitution shall not
28extend beyond the adjournment. The acts of the speaker
29pro tempore shall have the same validity as those of
30the speaker. In the absence of both the speaker and
-4-1the speaker pro tempore, the house shall name a speaker
2who shall preside over it and perform all the duties of
3the speaker with the exception of signing bills, until
4such time as the speaker or speaker pro tempore shall
5be present, and the person’s acts shall have the same
6force and validity as those of the regularly elected
7speaker.
8Rule 7
9Amendment of Rules Reserved
10A motion to change or rescind a standing rule or
11order of the house requires one day’s notice.
12Rule 8
13Violation of House Rules
14The speaker shall, or any member may, call to order
15a member who violates the rules of the house. With
16leave of the house, the member called to order may be
17permitted to explain. If the case requires it, the
18member shall be subject to censure of the house.
19Rule 9
20Referral of Rule Violations
21The speaker shall, upon complaint of a member,
22or upon the speaker’s own motion, refer any alleged
23violation of house or joint rules by house members,
24employees or staff to the house ethics committee upon
25an initial finding that an investigation is warranted.
26The ethics committee shall investigate such
27allegations and report them back to the house with a
28recommendation.
29Rule 10
30Recognition and Decorum in Debate
-5- 1A member who wishes to speak in debate shall be
2appropriately attired, with male members wearing coat
3or tie. After recognition by the chair, a member
4shall respectfully address the presiding officer
5by saying “Mr.or Madam Speaker”. A member shall
6confine all remarks to the question under debate,
7shall be respectful of other members, and shall avoid
8referencing or questioning the motives of another
9member.
10No member shall leave the house while the speaker
11is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
12speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
13have been recognized by the speaker.
14Rule 11
15Limit on Debate
16No member shall speak more than once on the same
17question without leave of the speaker, nor more than
18twice until every member choosing to speak has spoken,
19except as provided in Rule 81. A member shall be
20limited to ten minutes debate on bills, resolutions,
21and amendments, but may be granted an extension of time
22by consent of the house. However, the floor manager
23of a bill or resolution and the lead sponsor of an
24amendment may exceed the ten-minute limit on opening
25and closing remarks. Only the floor manager of a bill
26or an amendment may speak during opening and closing
27remarks on the bill or amendment.
28Rule 12
29Decorum During Debate Reserved
30No member shall leave the house while the speaker
-6-1is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
2speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
3have been recognized by the speaker.
4Rule 13
5Stating the Question
6When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the
7speaker. A motion made in writing shall be passed to
8the speaker’s station before it is debated.
9Rule 14
10Putting the Question
11Questions shall be distinctly put in this form:
12“All those in favor of (the question) shall say ‘aye’;”
13and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “All
14those opposed to (the question) shall say ‘no’.”
15 If the speaker is in doubt or a member of the house
16requests, a nonrecord roll call vote shall be taken.
17DIVISION II — EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
18Rule 15
19Chief Clerk of the House
20The chief clerk of the house shall serve as
21parliamentarian and chief administrative officer of the
22house under the direction of the speaker of the house.
23The chief clerk shall supervise the chief clerk’s
24office; be responsible for the custody and safekeeping
25of all bills, resolutions, and amendments filed,
26except when they are in the custody of a committee;
27have charge of the daily journal; have control of all
28rooms assigned for the use of the house; attest to the
29accuracy and correctness of text and action on bills
30and resolutions; process the handling of amendments
-7-1when filed and during the floor consideration of bills;
2insert adopted amendments into bills before transmittal
3to the senate and prior to final enrollment; supervise
4legislative printing and the distribution of printed
5material; and perform all other duties pertaining to
6the office of the chief clerk.
7Rule 16
8Legislative and Session Days
9For purposes of these rules, a legislative day is a
10day when the house is called to order. A legislative
11day that runs past midnight is not considered a new
12legislative day. A session day is any calendar day
13beginning with the convening of the annual regular
14session and ending with adjournment sine die.
15Rule 17
16Sergeant-At-Arms
17The sergeant-at-arms shall execute all orders of
18the house and the presiding officer; perform all
19assigned duties related to the policing and good order
20of the house; supervise the entrance and exit of all
21persons to and from the chamber; promptly execute all
22messages, etc.; provide that the chamber is properly
23ventilated and open for the use of the members; and
24perform all other services pertaining to the office of
25sergeant-at-arms.
26Rule 18
27Secretaries
28Each member may hire a secretary for the legislative
29session who shall be under the general direction of the
30member and the chief clerk. Secretaries shall be on
-8-1duty at the house from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.Monday
2through Thursday and on other legislative days when
3required by the chief clerk, except when excused by the
4member for whom the secretary works. Secretaries shall
5perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
6member or the chief clerk.
7Rule 19
8Extra Compensation of Employees
9No employee shall receive any extra compensation,
10except as provided by the house, or tips for services
11performed while on duty. Any violation of this rule
12shall be grounds for removal.
13DIVISION III — VISITORS AND LOBBYISTS
14Rule 20
15Admission to the House; Lobbying
16The chamber of the house shall include the
17vestibule, restrooms, bill room, lounge, visitors’
18galleries, and floor of the house.
19The floor of the house shall consist of the
20area between the north and south walls, including
21the representatives’ desks, the press box, and the
22speaker’s station, but excluding the visitors’
23galleries.
24During a legislative day while the house is in
25order, no member of the general assembly or legislative
26employee or intern shall be admitted to the floor of
27the house if attired in jeans of any color without
28leave of the speaker.
29During a legislative day while the house is in
30order, and one-half hour before the house convenes and
-9-1one-half hour after the house recesses or adjourns,
2no person shall be admitted to the floor of the house
3except:
41. Members of the general assembly and authorized
5legislative employees in the performance of their
6duties.
72. Former members of the general assembly who are
8not registered lobbyists.
93. A general assembly member’s family.
104. Representatives of the press, radio, and
11television who shall go directly to and from the press
12box.
135. Legislative interns registered with the chief
14clerk who shall go directly to and from the seat of
15their assigned representative or to be seated in the
16perimeter seating area.
176. Designated representatives of a political party
18having members serving in the house.
197. Members of the state executive council, the
20lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
21governor’s executive assistants and administrative
22assistants, and the administrative rules coordinator,
23all of whom shall be confined to the perimeter area.
24The current status of former members of the general
25assembly shall govern their access to the floor under
26these rules.
27No other persons shall be allowed on the house floor
28while the house is in order without permission of the
29presiding officer of the house. When the house is not
30in order, guests of a member of the general assembly
-10-1escorted by that member shall be allowed on the house
2floor.
3No person admitted to the floor of the house while
4the house is in order, except members of the general
5assembly, shall lobby or attempt to exercise any
6influence with any member for or against any matter
7then pending or that may thereafter be considered by
8the house.
9A registered lobbyist shall not be admitted to
10the floor of the house on any legislative day except
11for ceremonial purposes or for attendance at public
12hearings.
13A lobbyist who represents the position of a state
14government agency, in which the person serves or is
15employed as the designated representative for purposes
16of encouraging the passage or defeat of legislation,
17shall file with the chief clerk of the house a
18statement of the general subjects of legislation in
19which the lobbyist is or may be interested, but shall
20not lobby for or against a bill, resolution, or study
21bill unless the lobbyist does so with the written
22authorization and on behalf of a statewide elected
23or retained official. The official’s writing may
24authorize the lobbyist to register and lobby for or
25against any or all bills in which the lobbyist is
26or may be interested or may restrict the lobbyist
27to register and lobby for or against only some bills
28in which the lobbyist is or may be interested. The
29written authorizations shall be filed with the chief
30clerk, according to a procedure established by the
-11-1clerk for the filing of the authorizations and for
2making them available to the public, by the following
3statewide elected or retained official for the
4following offices, departments, agencies, and branch:
5By the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary
6of state, and treasurer of state, for their respective
7offices.
8By the secretary of agriculture, for the department
9of agriculture and land stewardship.
10By the chairperson of the ethics and campaign
11disclosure board, for the executive director, legal
12counsel, and other employees of the board.
13By the governor, for all other executive branch
14offices and departments.
15By the chief justice of the supreme court, for the
16judicial branch.
17Each member, employee of the house, and registered
18lobbyist may report violations of this rule immediately
19to the sergeant-at-arms or the chief clerk.
20Any person for cause may be summarily dismissed
21from the chamber of the house, by action of the house,
22and may forfeit that person’s right to admission
23thereafter.
24Rule 20A
25Legislative Interns
26A member may appoint one or more interns who shall
27register with the chief clerk. Only one legislative
28intern per member of the house is allowed on the floor
29of the house at any one time.
30Rule 21
-12-1Distribution of Literature and Other Items
2No person except a member or employee of the house
3of representatives shall distribute or cause to be
4distributed any pamphlets, material, or other printed
5literature, or any other items to the members’ desks
6in the house without authorization. An employee
7of the house shall generally distribute or cause
8to be distributed such literature or items only on
9behalf of the employee’s office or staff. Items which
10are permissible gifts under chapter 68B of the Code
11may be distributed to the members’ desks with the
12authorization of the chief clerk.
13All copies of pamphlets, material, or printed
14literature distributed by a member or employee of the
15house of representatives shall bear the name of the
16member or employee’s office or staff.
17Other distributions of pamphlets, material, or
18other printed literature shall bear their source of
19origin and be distributed through the legislative
20post office or to the members’ desks by completing
21a form containing a member’s or the chief clerk’s
22authorization, with the authorization form filed with
23the chief clerk. The authorization form shall be
24retained for a reasonable time period by the chief
25clerk.
26Rule 22
27Distribution of Materials Printed by the State
28A member of the house shall not distribute maps,
29books, and pamphlets which have been printed by the
30state of Iowa and upon which the name of the member
-13-1of the house has been affixed unless the member has
2purchased the materials or unless the member has
3affixed the words “Paid for by the citizens of Iowa and
4distributed by representative (member’s name).”
5DIVISION IV — FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR BILLS AND OTHER
6DOCUMENTS
7Rule 23
8Documents Signed by the Speaker
9All acts and joint resolutions shall be signed by
10the speaker, and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas
11issued by order of the house, shall be signed by the
12speaker and attested by the chief clerk. The speaker
13shall cause certificates of recognition or condolence
14to be issued by the house which shall be signed by
15the speaker and the chief clerk. The chief clerk
16shall maintain a list of certificates issued including
17the name of the requesting member of the house, the
18name of the recipient, the reason for recognition or
19condolence, and the date of issuance.
20Rule 24
21Presentation of Petitions
22All petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed
23to the house shall be signed by the member and filed
24with the chief clerk. The receipt of petitions shall
25be noted in the journal and such petitions shall be
26available in the office of the chief clerk. At the
27conclusion of each general assembly, the chief clerk
28may dispose of petitions received during that general
29assembly.
30Rule 25
-14-1Consideration of Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
2Action on a simple or concurrent resolution, except
3a memorial resolution, shall not be taken until one day
4after the resolution has been placed on the members’
5desks. After the resolution is adopted, the chief
6clerk shall have the resolution printed in the compiled
7journal and shall transmit certified copies of the
8resolution as directed.
9Rule 26
10Unanimous Consent Calendar
11The speaker may, upon the request of three members,
12place on a unanimous consent calendar any house
13resolution or concurrent resolution which does not
14contain an appropriation and which has been laid over
15under Rule 25.
16If such resolution is placed on the unanimous
17consent calendar, it may be removed only upon a written
18request submitted to the speaker by a member of the
19house.
20If not removed after five legislative days, the
21chief clerk shall call up the resolution and without
22debate the speaker shall pronounce that it has passed
23by unanimous consent.
24If the resolution is removed from the unanimous
25consent calendar, the speaker may again lay the
26resolution over under Rule 25, place it on a different
27calendar, or refer the resolution to any of the
28standing committees of the house.
29Rule 26A
30Senate Bills and Resolutions
-15- 1A senate bill or resolution may be referred to a
2standing committee or passed on file.
3Rule 27
4Forms of Bills and Joint Resolutions
5Every house bill shall be introduced by one or more
6members or by any standing or specially authorized
7committee of the house or the administrative rules
8review committee. All bills and joint resolutions
9introduced shall be prepared by the legislative
10services agency with title, enacting clause, text
11and explanation as directed by the chief clerk of the
12house. One copy of each bill shall be presented in a
13bill cover with the number of copies of the bill and
14the title as directed by the chief clerk.
15Rule 28
16Joint and Nullification Resolutions
17Joint resolutions shall be framed and treated as
18bills.
19A “nullification resolution” is a joint resolution
20which nullifies all of an administrative rule, or
21a severable item of an administrative rule adopted
22pursuant to chapter 17A of the Code. A nullification
23resolution shall not amend an administrative rule by
24adding language or by inserting new language in lieu of
25existing language.
26A nullification resolution may be introduced by an
27individual, a standing committee or the administrative
28rules review committee, and may be referred to a
29standing committee. A nullification resolution is
30debatable, but cannot be amended on the floor of the
-16-1house.
2Rule 29
3Time of Introduction of Bills
4No bill or joint resolution under individual
5sponsorship, other than a nullification resolution,
6shall be read for the first time after 4:30 p.m.on
7Friday of the fifth week of the first regular session
8of the general assembly unless a formal request for
9drafting the bill has been filed with the legislative
10services agency before that time.
11After adjournment of the first regular session,
12bills may be prefiled at any time before the convening
13of the second regular session. No bill or joint
14resolution under individual sponsorship, other than a
15nullification resolution, shall be read for the first
16time after 4:30 p.m.on Friday of the second week of
17the second regular session of the general assembly
18unless a formal request for drafting the bill has been
19filed with the legislative services agency before that
20time.
21However, bills or joint resolutions sponsored
22by standing committees or the administrative rules
23review committee, co-sponsored by the majority and
24minority floor leaders, or companion bills sponsored
25by the house majority leader and the senate majority
26leader may be drafted and introduced at any time
27permissible under Joint Rule 20. House, concurrent,
28and nullification resolutions may be introduced at any
29time.
30Rule 30
-17-1Introduction and Reading of Bills
2All bills and resolutions to be introduced in the
3house shall be prepared in proper form and filed
4with the chief clerk no later than 4:30 p.m.on the
5legislative day preceding its introduction.
6Every bill shall receive two readings but no bill
7shall receive its first and last readings on the same
8day.
9A “reading of a bill” as required by these rules
10shall consist of a reading of the title and enacting
11clause.
12Rule 31
13First Reading, Commitment, and Amendment
141. A bill is introduced into the house by an
15initial or “first reading of the bill”.
162. When the house is in session the first reading
17shall consist of a “reading” as provided in Rule 30.
183. Upon a first reading of the bill, the speaker
19shall state that it is ready for commitment or
20amendment; and the speaker shall commit it to the
21standing or select committee, or to a committee of the
22whole house. If to a committee of the whole house, the
23house shall determine on what day.
244. On a nonlegislative day the speaker may cause a
25statement, which shall consist of the title, enacting
26clause, bill number and committee to which the bill
27is referred, to be published in the house journal.
28This publication shall constitute a first reading and
29commitment and shall contain the notation “read and
30committed under Rule 31”.
-18- 15. All amendments offered to bills and resolutions
2shall be accompanied by such copies as the chief clerk
3shall direct.
46. Such amendments shall give the number of
5the bill sought to amend and the chief clerk shall
6designate each such amendment thus: Amendment to
7House File _________, or Senate File ________, by
8___________.
97. A bill reported out by committee shall go to the
10speaker who shall direct that the bill be placed on the
11regular calendar unless it covers subject matter more
12properly within the jurisdiction of some other standing
13committee, in which case the speaker may refer the bill
14to the proper standing committee. In order to expedite
15important business and set a definite time for the
16bill’s consideration, the speaker may direct the bill
17to be placed on the special order calendar.
188. No amendment to the rules of the house, to any
19resolution or bill, except technical amendments and
20amendments to bills substituted for by senate files
21containing substantially identical title, language,
22subject matter, purpose and intrasectional arrangement,
23shall be considered by the membership of the house
24without a copy of the amendment having been filed with
25the chief clerk by 4:00 p.m.or within one-half hour of
26adjournment, whichever is later, on the day preceding
27floor debate on the amendment. If the house adjourns
28prior to 2:00 p.m.on Friday, the final deadline is two
29hours after adjournment. However, committee amendments
30filed pursuant to the submission of the committee
-19-1report may be accepted after this deadline. This
2provision shall not apply to any proposal debated on
3the floor of the house after the thirteenth week of
4the first session and the twelfth week of the second
5session. No amendment or amendment to an amendment
6to a bill, rule of the house, or resolution shall be
7considered by the membership of the house without
8a copy of the amendment being on the desks of the
9entire membership of the house prior to consideration.
10However, the membership of the house may consider an
11amendment or an amendment to an amendment to a bill,
12rule of the house, or resolution without a copy of the
13amendment being on the desks of the entire membership
14of the house prior to consideration if a copy of the
15amendment is made available to the entire membership of
16the house electronically.
17Rule 32
18Commitment of Appropriation and Revenue Bills
19All bills to appropriate money shall be referred to
20the appropriations committee, and all bills pertaining
21to the levy, assessment, or collection of taxes or fees
22shall be referred to the committee on ways and means.
23Rule 33
24Regular Calendar
25Bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
26resolutions reported out for passage, amendment and
27passage, or without recommendation by a committee,
28or passed on file shall be arranged on a regular
29calendar by the chief clerk each day and electronically
30distributed to the members at the opening of each
-20-1legislative day. The regular calendar shall include
2a list of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
3resolutions which have been special ordered, including
4the date upon which debate is scheduled to begin on
5each of them, which shall be no sooner than five three
6 session days from the first date of publication on the
7regular calendar.
8Rule 34
9Daily Debate Calendar
10The majority floor leadership shall cause to be
11prepared and electronically distributed to the members
12at the opening of each legislative day when floor
13action is scheduled, a daily debate calendar consisting
14of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
15resolutions from the regular calendar setting forth the
16number and title of bills, nullification resolutions,
17and joint resolutions for the next legislative day that
18floor action is scheduled.
19This rule does not apply to bills which have passed
20both houses in different forms, reconsiderations, or
21veto reconsiderations.
22Rule 35
23Substitution of Bills
24A senate bill or resolution may be substituted
25for an identical house bill or resolution which has
26been called up for debate. An amendment to a senate
27bill or resolution which has been substituted for an
28identical house bill or resolution is out of order if
29an identical amendment to the house bill or resolution
30was considered.
-21- 1If a bill is moved to unfinished business and a
2similar senate bill is also on the calendar, both bills
3shall be moved to unfinished business.
4Rule 36
5Consideration of Committee Amendments
6After a bill has been referred and reported back,
7it shall be considered on its first reading after the
8amendments of the committee have been read.
9Rule 37
10Amendments to Special Order Bills
11All amendments to bills which have been special
12ordered shall be filed at least three session days
13prior to the date set for debate. Amendments to an
14amendment shall be filed at least two session days
15prior to the date set for debate. However, corrective
16amendments and amendments sponsored by either the
17majority floor leader or the minority floor leader may
18be filed at any time. Rule 31, subsection 8, shall not
19apply to these amendments.
20A corrective amendment is an amendment which does
21not substantively change the amendment or the bill.
22Rule 38
23Germane Amendments
24An amendment must be germane to the subject matter
25of the bill it seeks to amend. An amendment to an
26amendment must be germane to both the amendment and the
27bill it seeks to amend. When a member objects to an
28amendment on grounds that the amendment is not germane,
29the speaker may invite members, who shall include the
30majority and minority leaders, to the speaker’s station
-22-1to discuss the objection.
2Rule 39
3Consideration of Bills
4Bills, including committee bills, joint resolutions,
5and nullification resolutions, reported out for
6passage, for amendment and passage, or without
7recommendation by the committee, are first eligible to
8be acted upon beginning the third legislative day they
9appear on the regular calendar.
10Committee reports shall be printed in the journal
11immediately after they are filed with the chief clerk.
12Reports recommending bills, joint resolutions, and
13nullification resolutions for passage, for amendment
14and passage, or without recommendation shall stand
15approved unless written objections are filed during
16the first legislative day following their printing in
17the journal. If objections are filed, they shall be
18disposed of as soon as possible.
19Rule 40
20Consideration of Bills Upon Last Reading
21No amendment, unless by way of correcting an error
22or omission, shall be received to any bill on its last
23reading, and no debate shall be allowed on it.
24Rule 41
25Printing of Bills and Joint Resolutions
26Bills and joint resolutions shall be printed in form
27as provided by law and by rule. Each house may direct
28the printing of an additional number of its own bills.
29Legalizing bills of a local or private nature shall
30be printed in bill form and placed in the files of the
-23-1members, the same as other bills, in the order of their
2introduction. The cost of printing shall be deposited
3with the treasurer of state in advance at a rate to be
4fixed, and the newspaper publication of the bill shall
5be without cost to the state. No legalizing act may
6be introduced until all provisions of law have been
7complied with.
8Rule 42
9Certification and Engrossment of Bills
10The chief clerk shall certify the passage of each
11bill and note the date of its passage.
12In engrossing a bill, the chief clerk shall
13correct all obvious typographical, spelling, or other
14clerical errors and change section subunit numbers
15and letters and internal references as required to
16conform the original bill to any amendments which have
17been adopted. The chief clerk shall report all such
18corrections or changes in the journal. The engrossed
19bill shall be placed in the bill file with the original
20bill and amendments.
21Rule 43
22Rereferral
23A bill may be rereferred by the speaker or, upon
24motion, by the house at any time before its passage and
25after the report of its referral to committee.
26Rule 44
27Effect of Indefinite Postponement
28When a question is indefinitely postponed, it shall
29not be acted upon again during that session.
30Rule 45
-24-1Status of Bills Following First Regular Session
2Except for those bills which have been adopted
3by both houses in different forms, all bills which
4have not been withdrawn, defeated, or indefinitely
5postponed, shall be rereferred to committee upon
6adjournment of the first regular session. Within
7seven days after the first committee meeting following
8convening of the second regular session, the committee
9chair shall submit the bill to the full committee
10for action or the chair shall reassign the bill to a
11subcommittee.
12DIVISION V — COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
13Rule 46
14Appointment of Committees
15All committees shall be appointed by the speaker,
16unless otherwise especially directed by the house.
17Minority party members of a committee shall be
18appointed by the speaker upon recommendation of the
19minority leader.
20Rule 47
21Reserved
22Rule 48
23Study Bills
24A study bill is any matter which a member of the
25house chairperson of a standing committee wishes to
26have considered by a the standing committee of which
27the member is the chair, other than appropriations,
28without being introduced in the house by a first
29reading. A study bill shall be prepared in proper form
30by the legislative services agency prior to submission.
-25- 1Upon taking possession of a study bill, the
2committee chair shall notify the speaker and then
3submit four copies of the bill to the legal counsel’s
4office for numbering.
5A study bill shall bear the name of the member who
6wishes to have the bill considered committee chair. A
7study bill submitted by a state agency or board for
8consideration shall bear the name of the state agency
9or board. A committee chair may submit a study bill in
10the name of that committee.
11Final committee action on a study bill shall not be
12taken until one day following the notation of the study
13bill assignment in the house journal.
14Rule 49
15Committee Meetings
16No committee, except a conference committee or the
17administrative rules review committee, shall meet
18while the house is in session without special leave.
19Committees with overlapping memberships shall not meet
20at the same time without special leave.
21Rule 50
22Smoking Prohibited
23Smoking shall not be permitted in the house or in
24any area of the capitol building.
25Rule 51
26Assignments to Subcommittee
27The chair of the committee shall report to the house
28the bill number of each bill assigned to subcommittee
29and the names of the subcommittee members. The report
30shall be printed in the journal.
-26- 1All bills, prior to consideration by the committee,
2shall be referred by the chair to a subcommittee,
3unless acted upon by a committee of the whole.
4The chair may assign bills to subcommittees without
5a meeting of the committee, but the membership of the
6subcommittee so appointed shall be reported at the next
7meeting of to the committee by the chair.
8Rule 52
9Open Meetings
10Standing committee meetings shall be open, and
11voting by secret ballot is prohibited. The committee
12on administration and rules may close its meetings to
13evaluate the professional competency of an individual.
14Rule 53
15Quorum and Vote Requirements
16The committee roll shall be taken at the convening
17of each meeting to determine the presence of a quorum.
18A majority of the committee membership shall constitute
19a quorum.
20An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee
21membership is required to report a bill out of
22committee or to suspend a committee rule.
23A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
24committee member who voted on the prevailing side of
25the question sought to be reconsidered. A motion to
26reconsider may only be made prior to the adjournment of
27the committee meeting at which the bill was reported
28out.
29If a member, who is in the committee room when a
30question to report a bill out of committee is put, has
-27-1not asked to be excused prior to commencing to take
2the vote on the question, the member shall vote aye
3or nay unless the committee has excused the member for
4special reasons. However, a member may pass on the
5first taking of the roll call on the question but shall
6vote aye or nay when the member’s name is called for a
7second time.
8Rule 54
9Committee Attendance Record and Report of Committee
10Form
111. A committee attendance record shall be filed
12with the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two
13hours after the house convenes, whichever is later,
14of the legislative day immediately following the day
15of the committee meeting. The committee attendance
16record is a public record and may be published in the
17journal. The committee attendance record shall include
18the following information:
19a. The time the meeting convened.
20b. The members present at the meeting.
21c. The time the meeting adjourned.
22d. A list of bills receiving final committee
23disposition.
242. A report of committee form shall be filed with
25the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two hours
26after the house convenes, whichever is later, of the
27legislative day immediately following the day of the
28committee meeting for each study bill, numbered bill
29or resolution receiving final committee disposition.
30The report of committee form is a public record and
-28-1a report of committee action shall be printed in the
2journal. The report of committee form shall include
3the following information:
4a. The committee action taken.
5b. The committee amendment number, if any.
6c. The roll call vote of the committee on final
7disposition.
8d. The minority recommendation, if any.
93. Upon final adjournment of the first session
10and final adjournment of the second session of the
11general assembly, the chair of each committee shall
12have placed the committee’s book of record containing
13minutes, record roll calls on final disposition, record
14roll call votes on any amendments considered, rules,
15etc., with the chief clerk for access of any interested
16person.
17Rule 55
18Minority Recommendation
19The minority of the members of a committee may
20present its recommendations on the final disposition
21of a bill to the house by attaching its recommendation
22to the committee report. The minority recommendation
23shall be noted in the journal along with the committee
24report.
25Rule 56
26Committee Amendment
27Whenever a committee amendment is proposed which
28would amend another committee amendment, the amendment
29shall be drafted in the form of a substitute amendment
30and shall be considered as such.
-29-1Rule 57
2Committee Notice and Agenda
3Each committee shall prepare and publish a notice
4and agenda of each committee meeting at least one
5legislative day prior to the meeting. The notice and
6agenda may be placed on the desks of or transmitted
7electronically to committee members.
8The notice shall contain the committee name, the
9date, time, and location of the meeting.
10The agenda shall contain the matters to be
11discussed, including a list of bills, joint
12resolutions, nullification resolutions, and study
13bills by number. The agenda should contain the names
14of individuals who are scheduled to appear before the
15committee and the organization which they represent.
16A bill, joint resolution, nullification resolution,
17or study bill shall not be reported out of committee if
18the bill was not included in the published notice and
19agenda unless this rule is suspended by a majority of
20the total membership of the committee.
21A committee chair may call a meeting without
22providing the required notice and agenda upon leave
23of the house if a notice is either electronically
24transmitted to committee members or placed on the desks
25of committee members.
26Rule 58
27Clearing of Committee Room
28The chair of a committee may clear the committee
29room in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct.
30Rule 58A
-30-1Use of Telephonic or Electronic Devices in Committee
2Rooms Restricted
31. In any committee room while a standing committee
4is in session:
5a. A person shall mute any cell phone, computer, or
6other electronic device under the person’s control.
7b. A person shall not use a cell phone or other
8electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
9communications.
102. The chair or acting chair of a standing
11committee may clear the committee room of any person
12acting in violation of this rule.
13Rule 59
14Committee Amendments
15All amendments to a bill or resolution adopted in
16committee shall be incorporated in a single committee
17amendment or incorporated in a new committee bill.
18Rule 60
19Withdrawal of Bills, Joint Resolutions, or
20Nullification Resolutions From Committee
21A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
22resolution which has been in committee for eighteen
23legislative days following notation of such referral
24in the journal may be withdrawn from the committee and
25placed on the calendar by an affirmative vote of not
26less than fifty-one members of the house.
27Rule 61
28Committee Public Hearings
29The chair of a committee may call a public hearing
30for the purpose of receiving public comment on any
-31-1matter within the purview of the committee.
2The chair shall call a public hearing upon the
3written request of committee members according to
4committee rules, but no more than one-third of the
5committee members shall be required.
6A public hearing shall not be called or requested
7after final action on the bill, joint resolution,
8or nullification resolution has been taken by the
9committee. However, a public hearing called or
10requested before final action has been taken by the
11committee may be held after final action on the bill,
12joint resolution, or nullification resolution has been
13taken by the committee.
14The chair shall designate a time and place the day
15 for a public hearing and provide public notice at least
16five four days prior to a public hearing. A public
17hearing shall take place in room 103 of the capitol
18building and shall begin at 5:00 p.m. A speaker shall
19not speak for more than two minutes. As is possible,
20speakers shall be alternated between speakers speaking
21in favor of the matter and speakers opposed to the
22matter.
23A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
24resolution for which a public hearing has been called
25can be voted to the calendar but cannot be debated
26until after the public hearing has been held. If a
27bill, joint resolution, or nullification resolution
28for which a public hearing has been called is not
29debated by the house during the session in which it
30is introduced, the request for the public hearing is
-32-1deemed to have lapsed upon adjournment sine die of that
2session.
3However, public hearings which have been requested
4during or after the 9th week of the first session and
5during or after the 7th week of the second session must
6be held within four legislative days of the date of the
7request.
8Rule 62
9Limitation on Filing of Claims
10All claims shall be referred to the appropriations
11committee. A claim referred to the appropriations
12committee in a prior session of the general assembly
13shall not be considered by the appropriations
14committee or by the house unless it has been
15specifically referred to this session by a vote of the
16appropriations committee. The appropriations committee
17is authorized to set a definite date each session after
18which it will not receive claims or claim bills for
19consideration.
20DIVISION VI — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
21Rule 63
22Organization of Committee of the Whole
23In forming the committee of the whole house, the
24speaker shall appoint a member to preside in committee
25and then leave the chair.
26Rule 64
27Rules in Committee of the Whole
28The rules of the house shall be observed in
29committee of the whole house, so far as they are
30applicable.
-33-1Rule 65
2Bills in Committee of the Whole
3Bills committed to the committee of the whole house
4shall first be debated by section. After the report
5of the committee of the whole, the bill shall again be
6subject to debate and amendment before a vote is had on
7its last reading and passage.
8Rule 66
9Amendments by Committee of the Whole
10All amendments made to a report committed to a
11committee of the whole house shall be noted and
12reported as in the case of bills.
13DIVISION VII — MOTIONS
14Rule 67
15Order and Precedence of Motions
16The following order of motions, listed in order
17of precedence, shall govern when a question is under
18debate:
191. Adjourn.
202. Recess.
213. Questions of privilege.
224. Lay on the table.
235. Previous question.
246. Limit debate.
257. Postpone definitely or to a certain time.
268. Refer or rerefer.
279. Defer.
2810. Amend an amendment.
2911. Amend.
3012. Postpone indefinitely.
-34- 1A motion to postpone definitely or to a certain
2time, to refer or commit, or to postpone indefinitely a
3particular question shall not be considered more than
4once on the same day.
5Adoption of a motion to strike the enacting words is
6equivalent to rejection of the question.
7Rule 68
8Order of Consideration of Amendments
9Amendments shall be considered by earliest position
10in the bill. Amendments to the same place in the bill
11shall be considered by the lowest amendment number. An
12amendment which inserts language after a line and an
13amendment which inserts language before the succeeding
14line shall be considered amendments to the same place
15in the bill.
16However, an amendment to strike the enacting clause
17shall always be considered first. An amendment filed
18by a committee shall have the next highest order of
19priority, followed by an amendment to strike everything
20after the enacting clause and insert new language. An
21amendment to strike language or to strike and insert
22new language, except an amendment to strike everything
23after the enacting clause and insert new language,
24shall not be considered before amendments to perfect
25all or part of the same portion of the bill.
26Rule 69
27Motions Not Debatable
28The following motions are not debatable:
291. Adjourn.
302. Adjourn to a certain time.
-35- 13. Suspend house rules.
24. Previous question.
35. Close debate at a certain time.
46. Recess.
57. Defer.
68. Refer or rerefer.
79. Lay on the table.
810. Take from the table.
911. Call of the house.
1012. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
1113. Appeal a decision of the chair.
1214. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
13Rule 69A
14Constitutional Majority
151. The following motions require a constitutional
16majority for approval:
17a. Final passage of a bill, joint resolution, or
18nullification resolution.
19b. Lay on the table.
20c. Take from the table.
21d. Suspend house rules.
22e. Previous question.
23f. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
24g. Reconsider a bill, joint resolution, or
25nullification resolution.
26h. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
272. A division must be taken on any motion which
28requires a constitutional majority.
29Rule 70
30Motion to Adjourn
-36- 1A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except
2when a member is speaking or the house is voting.
3Rule 71
4Withdrawal of Motions
5After a motion is stated by the speaker or read by
6the chief clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession
7of the house, but may be withdrawn by leave of the
8house.
9Rule 72
10Unanimous Consent
11Unanimous consent of the members may be asked for
12suspension of any rule of the house. If there is no
13objection to the request, the rule shall be considered
14suspended.
15Rule 73
16Reconsideration
171. A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
18member who voted on the prevailing side of the question
19sought to be reconsidered.
202. A motion to reconsider may be made not later
21than adjournment on the legislative day following
22the legislative day of the action sought to be
23reconsidered. Where the floor manager voted on
24the prevailing side, the floor manager has the
25prior right to make the motion, until adjournment
26on the legislative day of the action sought to be
27reconsidered. A motion to reconsider a nullification
28resolution shall be acted upon not later than
29adjournment on the legislative day following
30the legislative day of the action sought to be
-37-1reconsidered.
23. A motion to reconsider made beginning the
3fifteenth week of the first regular session, or the
4thirteenth week of the second regular session, may be
5taken up when made. A motion made at any other time
6may be taken up prior to the third legislative day
7succeeding the legislative day of the action sought
8to be reconsidered only if called up by the mover,
9and after the second legislative day succeeding the
10legislative day of the action sought to be reconsidered
11if called up by any member.
124. The making of a motion to reconsider takes
13precedence over all other questions.
145. When passage, adoption, or failure of any bill,
15joint resolution, or nullification resolution is
16reconsidered, questions on amendments may also be
17reconsidered and shall be disposed of immediately.
186. In the event that a motion to reconsider
19is pending at the end of the first session or any
20extraordinary session of any general assembly, or the
21general assembly adjourns sine die, and the motion to
22reconsider has not been voted upon by the house, the
23motion shall be determined to have failed.
24DIVISION VIII — VOTING
25Rule 74
26Manner of Voting
27Members present may cast their votes, either by
28operating the voting mechanism located at their
29assigned desk or by signaling the speaker from the
30floor of the house or from the south visitors’ gallery
-38-1if they are unable to vote at their assigned desk.
2Only a member may operate the voting mechanism at that
3member’s assigned desk. The speaker shall announce the
4votes of members signaling their votes. Upon direction
5of the speaker only those members at their desks and
6voting shall be counted. Members who are not present
7shall not cast their votes except:
81. Members who have not voted may record their
9votes on any record roll call vote except quorum calls
10within twenty minutes after the outcome of the vote
11has been announced during the first session of the
12eighty-ninth general assembly and within ten minutes
13after the outcome of the vote has been announced
14during the second session of the eighty-ninth general
15assembly. Members shall initial their recorded votes
16on a copy of the record roll call at the speaker’s
17station. However, if the aggregate of votes cast
18under this rule would change the outcome of the vote
19on a question, then none of the votes cast on the
20question under this rule shall be recorded. A member
21may request announcement of the names of members so
22recorded after the twenty-minute period or ten-minute
23period, as applicable.
242. Members meeting in a conference committee
25or in administrative rules review committee at the
26time a vote is taken on a question may have their
27vote recorded within thirty minutes or adjournment,
28whichever is first, of that same legislative day,
29provided the aggregate of votes cast does not change
30the outcome of the vote on a question.
-39-1Rule 75
2Voting in the House and Duty of Voting
3Voting on a question put to members on the floor of
4the house shall not occur between midnight and 8 a.m.
5on any legislative day except for voting on a motion to
6recess, defer, or adjourn. Except as limited in Rule
776, every member who is in the house when a question is
8put shall vote unless the house has excused that member
9from voting for special reasons; however, such member
10must have asked to be excused from voting prior to the
11time the speaker puts the question.
12Rule 76
13Limitation on Right to Vote
14No member shall vote on any question in which
15the member or the member’s immediate family member,
16as defined in chapter 68B of the Code, has a direct
17financial interest different from other similarly
18situated persons or classes of persons of the general
19public.
20Rule 77
21Call of the House
22Upon written request of five members, the presiding
23officer shall compel attendance of absent and unexcused
24members for the consideration of specified bills,
25resolutions, or amendments.
26A call of the house shall specify the propositions
27to which it is to apply and must be put into effect
28before roll call is taken on the proposition. The
29request may be filed with the chief clerk at any time
30before final action upon the propositions, who shall
-40-1notify the house immediately.
2Rule 78
3Method of Calling the House
4Upon a call of the house, the names of the members
5shall be called by the chief clerk and the absentees
6noted, after which the names of the absentees shall
7again be called. The sergeant-at-arms shall be
8directed by the speaker to compel the attendance of
9absent members, unless they are previously excused.
10Any member occupying the member’s seat during a call
11of the house shall be counted by the speaker and that
12person’s name entered in the journal as being present
13for the purpose of making a quorum.
14Rule 79
15Method of Calling the Roll
16The electrical voting machine shall be used for a
17call of the house, a quorum call or a roll call vote
18on any question. If the electrical voting machine is
19not in operating order when it is necessary to take
20a record roll call vote, the presiding officer shall
21order the vote to be taken by calling the roll in
22alphabetical order, except the name of the presiding
23officer shall be called last.
24During the casting of the vote with the voting
25machine, the individual votes and the vote totals shall
26be shown on the display boards. Before the voting
27machine is closed, the presiding officer shall inquire
28of the house, “Have you all voted?”
29Rule 80
30Quorum and Record Roll Call Votes
-41- 1A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
2A record roll call vote shall be ordered upon
3request of any two members. The names of the members
4requesting the record roll call shall be entered in the
5journal.
6Rule 81
7Previous Question
8When a member moves for the previous question, the
9member shall state whether the motion will apply to the
10main question, to all the amendments, or to particular
11amendments. The motion requires an affirmative vote of
12at least a constitutional majority of the members. If
13the motion for a previous question is not adopted, the
14house shall proceed in the same manner as before the
15motion was made.
16If the motion is adopted, all debate must end and
17the house will vote upon the question except:
181. If the motion applies to the main question, the
19member in charge of the measure will have ten minutes
20to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
21the vote on the measure is taken.
222. If the motion applies to an amendment, the
23member proposing the amendment will have five minutes
24to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
25the vote on the amendment is taken.
263. If a member has filed a written request with
27the chief clerk of the house indicating the member’s
28desire to speak on a particular question. The request
29must be filed before the motion is made by the movant.
30The request allows a member to speak on a particular
-42-1question before the closing discussion by the member
2who is in charge of the measure or who is proposing the
3amendment.
4Rule 82
5Division of the Question
6Any member may call for a division of the question,
7which shall be divided if it comprehends questions so
8distinct that one being taken away, the remainder may
9stand separately for discussion by the house. Upon
10request to divide an amendment, the chief clerk shall
11restate the division and note the divided amendment in
12the house journal. An amendment to strike out being
13lost shall not preclude an amendment to strike out and
14insert. An amendment to strike out and insert shall be
15deemed indivisible.
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