Print
House Resolution 3 - Introduced
An Act 1relating to permanent rules of the House
2of Representatives for the Ninetieth General
3Assembly.
4BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That
5the permanent rules of the House for the Eighty-ninth
6 Ninetieth 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 any artificial
28lighting 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
9Reserved
10Rule 8
11Violation of House Rules
12The speaker shall, or any member may, call to order
13a member who violates the rules of the house. With
14leave of the house, the member called to order may be
15permitted to explain. If the case requires it, the
16member shall be subject to censure of the house.
17Rule 9
18Referral of Rule Violations
19The speaker shall, upon complaint of a member,
20or upon the speaker’s own motion, refer any alleged
21violation of house or joint rules by house members,
22employees or staff to the house ethics committee upon
23an initial finding that an investigation is warranted.
24The ethics committee shall investigate such
25allegations and report them back to the house with a
26recommendation.
27Rule 10
28Recognition and Decorum in Debate
29A member who wishes to speak in debate shall be
30appropriately attired, with male members wearing coat
-5-1or tie. After recognition by the chair, a member
2shall respectfully address the presiding officer
3by saying “Mr.or Madam Speaker”. A member shall
4confine all remarks to the question under debate,
5shall be respectful of other members, and shall avoid
6referencing or questioning the motives of another
7member.
8No member shall leave the house while the speaker
9is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
10speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
11have been recognized by the speaker.
12Rule 11
13Limit on Debate
14No member shall speak more than once on the same
15question without leave of the speaker, nor more than
16twice until every member choosing to speak has spoken,
17except as provided in Rule 81. A member shall be
18limited to ten minutes debate on bills, resolutions,
19and amendments, but may be granted an extension of time
20by consent of the house. However, the floor manager
21of a bill or resolution may exceed the ten-minute limit
22on opening and closing remarks. Only the floor manager
23of a bill or an amendment may speak during opening and
24closing remarks on the bill or amendment.
25Rule 12
26Reserved
27Rule 13
28Stating the Question
29When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the
30speaker. A motion made in writing shall be passed to
-6-1the speaker’s station before it is debated.
2Rule 14
3Putting the Question
4Questions shall be distinctly put in this form:
5“All those in favor of (the question) shall say ‘aye’;”
6and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “All
7those opposed to (the question) shall say ‘no’.”
8 If the speaker is in doubt or a member of the house
9requests, a nonrecord roll call vote shall be taken.
10DIVISION II — EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
11Rule 15
12Chief Clerk of the House
13The chief clerk of the house shall serve as
14parliamentarian and chief administrative officer of the
15house under the direction of the speaker of the house.
16The chief clerk shall supervise the chief clerk’s
17office; be responsible for the custody and safekeeping
18of all bills, resolutions, and amendments filed,
19except when they are in the custody of a committee;
20have charge of the daily journal; have control of all
21rooms assigned for the use of the house; attest to the
22accuracy and correctness of text and action on bills
23and resolutions; process the handling of amendments
24when filed and during the floor consideration of bills;
25insert adopted amendments into bills before transmittal
26to the senate and prior to final enrollment; supervise
27legislative printing and the distribution of printed
28material; and perform all other duties pertaining to
29the office of the chief clerk.
30Rule 16
-7-1Legislative and Session Days
2For purposes of these rules, a legislative day is a
3day when the house is called to order. A legislative
4day that runs past midnight is not considered a new
5legislative day. A session day is any calendar day
6beginning with the convening of the annual regular
7session and ending with adjournment sine die.
8Rule 17
9Sergeant-At-Arms
10The sergeant-at-arms shall execute all orders of
11the house and the presiding officer; perform all
12assigned duties related to the policing and good order
13of the house; supervise the entrance and exit of all
14persons to and from the chamber; promptly execute all
15messages, etc.; provide that the chamber is properly
16ventilated and open for the use of the members; and
17perform all other services pertaining to the office of
18sergeant-at-arms.
19Rule 18
20Secretaries
21Each member may hire a secretary for the legislative
22session who shall be under the general direction of the
23member and the chief clerk. Secretaries shall be on
24duty at the house from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.Monday
25through Thursday and on other legislative days when
26required by the chief clerk, except when excused by the
27member for whom the secretary works. Secretaries shall
28perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
29member or the chief clerk.
30Rule 19
-8-1Extra Compensation of Employees
2No employee shall receive any extra compensation,
3except as provided by the house, or tips for services
4performed while on duty. Any violation of this rule
5shall be grounds for removal.
6DIVISION III — VISITORS AND LOBBYISTS
7Rule 20
8Admission to the House; Lobbying
9The chamber of the house shall include the
10vestibule, restrooms, bill room, lounge, visitors’
11galleries, and floor of the house.
12The floor of the house shall consist of the
13area between the north and south walls, including
14the representatives’ desks, the press box, and the
15speaker’s station, but excluding the visitors’
16galleries.
17During a legislative day while the house is in
18order, no member of the general assembly or legislative
19employee or intern shall be admitted to the floor of
20the house if attired in jeans of any color without
21leave of the speaker.
22During a legislative day while the house is in
23order, and one-half hour before the house convenes and
24one-half hour after the house recesses or adjourns,
25no person shall be admitted to the floor of the house
26except:
271. Members of the general assembly and authorized
28legislative employees in the performance of their
29duties.
302. Former members of the general assembly who are
-9-1not registered lobbyists.
23. A general assembly member’s family.
34. Representatives of the press, radio, and
4television who shall go directly to and from the press
5box.
65. Legislative interns registered with the chief
7clerk who shall go directly to and from the seat of
8their assigned representative or to be seated in the
9perimeter seating area.
106. Designated representatives of a political party
11having members serving in the house.
127. Members of the state executive council, the
13lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
14governor’s executive assistants and administrative
15assistants, and the administrative rules coordinator,
16all of whom shall be confined to the perimeter area.
17The current status of former members of the general
18assembly shall govern their access to the floor under
19these rules.
20No other persons shall be allowed on the house floor
21while the house is in order without permission of the
22presiding officer of the house. When the house is not
23in order, guests of a member of the general assembly
24escorted by that member shall be allowed on the house
25floor.
26No person admitted to the floor of the house while
27the house is in order, except members of the general
28assembly, shall lobby or attempt to exercise any
29influence with any member for or against any matter
30then pending or that may thereafter be considered by
-10-1the house.
2A registered lobbyist shall not be admitted to
3the floor of the house on any legislative day except
4for ceremonial purposes or for attendance at public
5hearings.
6A lobbyist who represents the position of a state
7government agency, in which the person serves or is
8employed as the designated representative for purposes
9of encouraging the passage or defeat of legislation,
10shall file with the chief clerk of the house a
11statement of the general subjects of legislation in
12which the lobbyist is or may be interested, but shall
13not lobby for or against a bill, resolution, or study
14bill unless the lobbyist does so with the written
15authorization and on behalf of a statewide elected
16or retained official. The official’s writing may
17authorize the lobbyist to register and lobby for or
18against any or all bills in which the lobbyist is
19or may be interested or may restrict the lobbyist
20to register and lobby for or against only some bills
21in which the lobbyist is or may be interested. The
22written authorizations shall be filed with the chief
23clerk, according to a procedure established by the
24clerk for the filing of the authorizations and for
25making them available to the public, by the following
26statewide elected or retained official for the
27following offices, departments, agencies, and branch:
28By the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary
29of state, and treasurer of state, for their respective
30offices.
-11- 1By the secretary of agriculture, for the department
2of agriculture and land stewardship.
3By the chairperson of the ethics and campaign
4disclosure board, for the executive director, legal
5counsel, and other employees of the board.
6By the governor, for all other executive branch
7offices and departments.
8By the chief justice of the supreme court, for the
9judicial branch.
10Each member, employee of the house, and registered
11lobbyist may report violations of this rule immediately
12to the sergeant-at-arms or the chief clerk.
13Any person for cause may be summarily dismissed
14from the chamber of the house, by action of the house,
15and may forfeit that person’s right to admission
16thereafter.
17Rule 20A
18Legislative Interns
19A member may appoint one or more interns who shall
20register with the chief clerk. Only one legislative
21intern per member of the house is allowed on the floor
22of the house at any one time.
23Rule 21
24Distribution of Literature and Other Items
25No person except a member or employee of the house
26of representatives shall distribute or cause to be
27distributed any pamphlets, material, or other printed
28literature, or any other items to the members’ desks
29in the house without authorization. An employee
30of the house shall generally distribute or cause
-12-1to be distributed such literature or items only on
2behalf of the employee’s office or staff. Items which
3are permissible gifts under chapter 68B of the Code
4may be distributed to the members’ desks with the
5authorization of the chief clerk.
6All copies of pamphlets, material, or printed
7literature distributed by a member or employee of the
8house of representatives shall bear the name of the
9member or employee’s office or staff.
10Other distributions of pamphlets, material, or
11other printed literature shall bear their source of
12origin and be distributed through the legislative
13post office or to the members’ desks by completing
14a form containing a member’s or the chief clerk’s
15authorization, with the authorization form filed with
16the chief clerk. The authorization form shall be
17retained for a reasonable time period by the chief
18clerk.
19Rule 22
20Distribution of Materials Printed by the State
21A member of the house shall not distribute maps,
22books, and pamphlets which have been printed by the
23state of Iowa and upon which the name of the member
24of the house has been affixed unless the member has
25purchased the materials or unless the member has
26affixed the words “Paid for by the citizens of Iowa and
27distributed by representative (member’s name).”
28DIVISION IV — FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR BILLS AND OTHER
29DOCUMENTS
30Rule 23
-13-1Documents Signed by the Speaker
2All acts and joint resolutions shall be signed by
3the speaker, and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas
4issued by order of the house, shall be signed by the
5speaker and attested by the chief clerk. The speaker
6shall cause certificates of recognition or condolence
7to be issued by the house which shall be signed by
8the speaker and the chief clerk. The chief clerk
9shall maintain a list of certificates issued including
10the name of the requesting member of the house, the
11name of the recipient, the reason for recognition or
12condolence, and the date of issuance.
13Rule 24
14Presentation of Petitions
15All petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed
16to the house shall be signed by the member and filed
17with the chief clerk. The receipt of petitions shall
18be noted in the journal and such petitions shall be
19available in the office of the chief clerk. At the
20conclusion of each general assembly, the chief clerk
21may dispose of petitions received during that general
22assembly.
23Rule 25
24Consideration of Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
25Action on a simple or concurrent resolution, except
26a memorial resolution, shall not be taken until one day
27after the resolution has been placed on the members’
28desks. After the resolution is adopted, the chief
29clerk shall have the resolution printed in the compiled
30journal and shall transmit certified copies of the
-14-1resolution as directed.
2Rule 26
3Unanimous Consent Calendar
4The speaker may, upon the request of three members,
5place on a unanimous consent calendar any house
6resolution or concurrent resolution which does not
7contain an appropriation and which has been laid over
8under Rule 25.
9If such resolution is placed on the unanimous
10consent calendar, it may be removed only upon a written
11request submitted to the speaker by a member of the
12house.
13If not removed after five legislative days, the
14chief clerk shall call up the resolution and without
15debate the speaker shall pronounce that it has passed
16by unanimous consent.
17If the resolution is removed from the unanimous
18consent calendar, the speaker may again lay the
19resolution over under Rule 25, place it on a different
20calendar, or refer the resolution to any of the
21standing committees of the house.
22Rule 26A
23Senate Bills and Resolutions
24A senate bill or resolution may be referred to a
25standing committee or passed on file.
26Rule 27
27Forms of Bills and Joint Resolutions
28Every house bill shall be introduced by one or more
29members or by any standing or specially authorized
30committee of the house or the administrative rules
-15-1review committee. All bills and joint resolutions
2introduced shall be prepared by the legislative
3services agency with title, enacting clause, text
4and explanation as directed by the chief clerk of the
5house. One copy of each bill shall be presented in a
6bill cover with the number of copies of the bill and
7the title as directed by the chief clerk.
8Rule 28
9Joint and Nullification Resolutions
10Joint resolutions shall be framed and treated as
11bills.
12A “nullification resolution” is a joint resolution
13which nullifies all of an administrative rule, or
14a severable item of an administrative rule adopted
15pursuant to chapter 17A of the Code. A nullification
16resolution shall not amend an administrative rule by
17adding language or by inserting new language in lieu of
18existing language.
19A nullification resolution may be introduced by an
20individual, a standing committee or the administrative
21rules review committee, and may be referred to a
22standing committee. A nullification resolution is
23debatable, but cannot be amended on the floor of the
24house.
25Rule 29
26Time of Introduction of Bills
27No bill or joint resolution under individual
28sponsorship, other than a nullification resolution,
29shall be read for the first time after 4:30 p.m.on
30Friday of the fifth week of the first regular session
-16-1of the general assembly unless a formal request for
2drafting the bill has been filed with the legislative
3services agency before that time.
4After adjournment of the first regular session,
5bills may be prefiled at any time before the convening
6of the second regular session. No bill or joint
7resolution under individual sponsorship, other than a
8nullification resolution, shall be read for the first
9time after 4:30 p.m.on Friday of the second week of
10the second regular session of the general assembly
11unless a formal request for drafting the bill has been
12filed with the legislative services agency before that
13time.
14However, bills or joint resolutions sponsored
15by standing committees or the administrative rules
16review committee, co-sponsored by the majority and
17minority floor leaders, or companion bills sponsored
18by the house majority leader and the senate majority
19leader may be drafted and introduced at any time
20permissible under Joint Rule 20. House, concurrent,
21and nullification resolutions may be introduced at any
22time.
23Rule 30
24Introduction and Reading of Bills
25All bills and resolutions to be introduced in the
26house shall be prepared in proper form and filed
27with the chief clerk no later than 4:30 p.m.on the
28legislative day preceding its introduction.
29Every bill shall receive two readings but no bill
30shall receive its first and last readings on the same
-17-1day.
2A “reading of a bill” as required by these rules
3shall consist of a reading of the title and enacting
4clause.
5Rule 31
6First Reading, Commitment, and Amendment
71. A bill is introduced into the house by an
8initial or “first reading of the bill”.
92. When the house is in session the first reading
10shall consist of a “reading” as provided in Rule 30.
113. Upon a first reading of the bill, the speaker
12shall state that it is ready for commitment or
13amendment; and the speaker shall commit it to the
14standing or select committee, or to a committee of the
15whole house. If to a committee of the whole house, the
16house shall determine on what day.
174. On a nonlegislative day the speaker may cause a
18statement, which shall consist of the title, enacting
19clause, bill number and committee to which the bill
20is referred, to be published in the house journal.
21This publication shall constitute a first reading and
22commitment and shall contain the notation “read and
23committed under Rule 31”.
245. All amendments offered to bills and resolutions
25shall be accompanied by such copies as the chief clerk
26shall direct.
276. Such amendments shall give the number of
28the bill sought to amend and the chief clerk shall
29designate each such amendment thus: Amendment to
30House File _________, or Senate File ________, by
-18-1___________.
27. A bill reported out by committee shall go to the
3speaker who shall direct that the bill be placed on the
4regular calendar unless it covers subject matter more
5properly within the jurisdiction of some other standing
6committee, in which case the speaker may refer the bill
7to the proper standing committee. In order to expedite
8important business and set a definite time for the
9bill’s consideration, the speaker may direct the bill
10to be placed on the special order calendar.
118. No amendment to the rules of the house, to any
12resolution or bill, except technical amendments and
13amendments to bills substituted for by senate files
14containing substantially identical title, language,
15subject matter, purpose and intrasectional arrangement,
16shall be considered by the membership of the house
17without a copy of the amendment having been filed with
18the chief clerk by 4:00 p.m.or within one-half hour of
19adjournment, whichever is later, on the day preceding
20floor debate on the amendment. If the house adjourns
21prior to 2:00 p.m.on Friday, the final deadline is two
22hours after adjournment. However, committee amendments
23filed pursuant to the submission of the committee
24report may be accepted after this deadline. This
25provision shall not apply to any proposal debated on
26the floor of the house after the thirteenth week of
27the first session and the twelfth week of the second
28session. No amendment or amendment to an amendment
29to a bill, rule of the house, or resolution shall be
30considered by the membership of the house without
-19-1a copy of the amendment being on the desks of the
2entire membership of the house prior to consideration.
3However, the membership of the house may consider an
4amendment or an amendment to an amendment to a bill,
5rule of the house, or resolution without a copy of the
6amendment being on the desks of the entire membership
7of the house prior to consideration if a copy of the
8amendment is made available to the entire membership of
9the house electronically.
10Rule 32
11Commitment of Appropriation and Revenue Bills
12All Except for bills assigned to the Education
13Reform Committee during the 2023 regular session of
14the General Assembly and any special session taking
15place prior to the 2024 regular session of the General
16Assembly, all bills to appropriate money shall be
17referred to the appropriations committee, and all bills
18pertaining to the levy, assessment, or collection of
19taxes or fees shall be referred to the committee on
20ways and means.
21Rule 33
22Regular Calendar
23Bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
24resolutions reported out for passage, amendment and
25passage, or without recommendation by a committee,
26or passed on file shall be arranged on a regular
27calendar by the chief clerk each day and electronically
28distributed to the members at the opening of each
29legislative day. The regular calendar shall include
30a list of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
-20-1resolutions which have been special ordered, including
2the date upon which debate is scheduled to begin on
3each of them, which shall be no sooner than three
4session days from the first date of publication on the
5regular calendar.
6Rule 34
7Daily Debate Calendar
8The majority floor leadership shall cause to be
9prepared and electronically distributed to the members
10at the opening of each legislative day when floor
11action is scheduled, a daily debate calendar consisting
12of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
13resolutions from the regular calendar setting forth the
14number and title of bills, nullification resolutions,
15and joint resolutions for the next legislative day that
16floor action is scheduled.
17This rule does not apply to bills which have passed
18both houses in different forms, reconsiderations, or
19veto reconsiderations.
20Rule 35
21Substitution of Bills
22A senate bill or resolution may be substituted
23for an identical house bill or resolution which has
24been called up for debate. An amendment to a senate
25bill or resolution which has been substituted for an
26identical house bill or resolution is out of order if
27an identical amendment to the house bill or resolution
28was considered.
29If a bill is moved to unfinished business and a
30similar senate bill is also on the calendar, both bills
-21-1shall be moved to unfinished business.
2Rule 36
3Consideration of Committee Amendments
4After a bill has been referred and reported back,
5it shall be considered on its first reading after the
6amendments of the committee have been read.
7Rule 37
8Amendments to Special Order Bills
9All amendments to bills which have been special
10ordered shall be filed at least three session days
11prior to the date set for debate. Amendments to an
12amendment shall be filed at least two session days
13prior to the date set for debate. However, corrective
14amendments and amendments sponsored by either the
15majority floor leader or the minority floor leader may
16be filed at any time. Rule 31, subsection 8, shall not
17apply to these amendments.
18A corrective amendment is an amendment which does
19not substantively change the amendment or the bill.
20Rule 38
21Germane Amendments
22An amendment must be germane to the subject matter
23of the bill it seeks to amend. An amendment to an
24amendment must be germane to both the amendment and the
25bill it seeks to amend. When a member objects to an
26amendment on grounds that the amendment is not germane,
27the speaker may invite members, who shall include the
28majority and minority leaders, to the speaker’s station
29to discuss the objection.
30Rule 39
-22-1Consideration of Bills
2Bills, including committee bills, joint resolutions,
3and nullification resolutions, reported out for
4passage, for amendment and passage, or without
5recommendation by the committee, are first eligible to
6be acted upon beginning the third legislative day they
7appear on the regular calendar.
8Committee reports shall be printed in the journal
9immediately after they are filed with the chief clerk.
10Reports recommending bills, joint resolutions, and
11nullification resolutions for passage, for amendment
12and passage, or without recommendation shall stand
13approved unless written objections are filed during
14the first legislative day following their printing in
15the journal. If objections are filed, they shall be
16disposed of as soon as possible.
17Rule 40
18Consideration of Bills Upon Last Reading
19No amendment, unless by way of correcting an error
20or omission, shall be received to any bill on its last
21reading, and no debate shall be allowed on it.
22Rule 41
23Printing of Bills and Joint Resolutions
24Bills and joint resolutions shall be printed in form
25as provided by law and by rule. Each house may direct
26the printing of an additional number of its own bills.
27Legalizing bills of a local or private nature shall
28be printed in bill form and placed in the files of the
29members, the same as other bills, in the order of their
30introduction. The cost of printing shall be deposited
-23-1with the treasurer of state in advance at a rate to be
2fixed, and the newspaper publication of the bill shall
3be without cost to the state. No legalizing act may
4be introduced until all provisions of law have been
5complied with.
6Rule 42
7Certification and Engrossment of Bills
8The chief clerk shall certify the passage of each
9bill and note the date of its passage.
10In engrossing a bill, the chief clerk shall
11correct all obvious typographical, spelling, or other
12clerical errors and change section subunit numbers
13and letters and internal references as required to
14conform the original bill to any amendments which have
15been adopted. The chief clerk shall report all such
16corrections or changes in the journal. The engrossed
17bill shall be placed in the bill file with the original
18bill and amendments.
19Rule 43
20Rereferral
21A bill may be rereferred by the speaker or, upon
22motion, by the house at any time before its passage and
23after the report of its referral to committee.
24Rule 44
25Effect of Indefinite Postponement
26When a question is indefinitely postponed, it shall
27not be acted upon again during that session.
28Rule 45
29Status of Bills Following First Regular Session
30Except for those bills which have been adopted
-24-1by both houses in different forms, all bills which
2have not been withdrawn, defeated, or indefinitely
3postponed, shall be rereferred to committee upon
4adjournment of the first regular session.
5DIVISION V — COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
6Rule 46
7Appointment of Committees
8All committees shall be appointed by the speaker,
9unless otherwise especially directed by the house.
10Minority party members of a committee shall be
11appointed by the speaker upon recommendation of the
12minority leader.
13Rule 47
14Reserved
15Rule 48
16Study Bills
17A study bill is any matter which a chairperson of
18a standing committee wishes to have considered by the
19standing committee of which the member is the chair,
20other than appropriations, without being introduced
21in the house by a first reading. A study bill shall
22be prepared in proper form by the legislative services
23agency prior to submission.
24Upon taking possession of a study bill, the
25committee chair shall notify the speaker and then
26submit four copies of the bill to the legal counsel’s
27office for numbering.
28A study bill shall bear the name of the committee
29chair. A study bill submitted by a state agency or
30board for consideration shall bear the name of the
-25-1state agency or board.
2Rule 49
3Committee Meetings
4No committee, except a conference committee or the
5administrative rules review committee, shall meet
6while the house is in session without special leave.
7Committees with overlapping memberships shall not meet
8at the same time without special leave.
9Rule 50
10Smoking Prohibited
11Smoking shall not be permitted in the house or in
12any area of the capitol building.
13Rule 51
14Assignments to Subcommittee
15The chair of the committee shall report to the house
16the bill number of each bill assigned to subcommittee
17and the names of the subcommittee members. The report
18shall be printed in the journal.
19All bills, prior to consideration by the committee,
20shall be referred by the chair to a subcommittee,
21unless acted upon by a committee of the whole.
22The chair may assign bills to subcommittees without
23a meeting of the committee, but the membership of the
24subcommittee so appointed shall be reported to the
25committee by the chair.
26Rule 52
27Open Meetings
28Standing committee meetings shall be open, and
29voting by secret ballot is prohibited. The committee
30on administration and rules may close its meetings to
-26-1evaluate the professional competency of an individual.
2Rule 53
3Quorum and Vote Requirements
4The committee roll shall be taken at the convening
5of each meeting to determine the presence of a quorum.
6A majority of the committee membership shall constitute
7a quorum.
8An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee
9membership is required to report a bill out of
10committee or to suspend a committee rule.
11A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
12committee member who voted on the prevailing side of
13the question sought to be reconsidered. A motion to
14reconsider may only be made prior to the adjournment of
15the committee meeting at which the bill was reported
16out.
17If a member, who is in the committee room when a
18question to report a bill out of committee is put, has
19not asked to be excused prior to commencing to take
20the vote on the question, the member shall vote aye
21or nay unless the committee has excused the member for
22special reasons. However, a member may pass on the
23first taking of the roll call on the question but shall
24vote aye or nay when the member’s name is called for a
25second time.
26Rule 54
27Committee Attendance Record and Report of Committee
28Form
291. A committee attendance record shall be filed
30with the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two
-27-1hours after the house convenes, whichever is later,
2of the legislative day immediately following the day
3of the committee meeting. The committee attendance
4record is a public record and may be published in the
5journal. The committee attendance record shall include
6the following information:
7a. The time the meeting convened.
8b. The members present at the meeting.
9c. The time the meeting adjourned.
10d. A list of bills receiving final committee
11disposition.
122. A report of committee form shall be filed with
13the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two hours
14after the house convenes, whichever is later, of the
15legislative day immediately following the day of the
16committee meeting for each study bill, numbered bill
17or resolution receiving final committee disposition.
18The report of committee form is a public record and
19a report of committee action shall be printed in the
20journal. The report of committee form shall include
21the following information:
22a. The committee action taken.
23b. The committee amendment number, if any.
24c. The roll call vote of the committee on final
25disposition.
26d. The minority recommendation, if any.
273. Upon final adjournment of the first session
28and final adjournment of the second session of the
29general assembly, the chair of each committee shall
30have placed the committee’s book of record containing
-28-1minutes, record roll calls on final disposition, record
2roll call votes on any amendments considered, rules,
3etc., with the chief clerk for access of any interested
4person.
5Rule 55
6Minority Recommendation
7The minority of the members of a committee may
8present its recommendations on the final disposition
9of a bill to the house by attaching its recommendation
10to the committee report. The minority recommendation
11shall be noted in the journal along with the committee
12report.
13Rule 56
14Committee Amendment
15Whenever a committee amendment is proposed which
16would amend another committee amendment, the amendment
17shall be drafted in the form of a substitute amendment
18and shall be considered as such.
19Rule 57
20Committee Notice and Agenda
21Each committee shall prepare and publish a notice
22and agenda of each committee meeting at least one
23legislative day prior to the meeting. The notice and
24agenda may be placed on the desks of or transmitted
25electronically to committee members.
26The notice shall contain the committee name, the
27date, time, and location of the meeting.
28The agenda shall contain the matters to be
29discussed, including a list of bills, joint
30resolutions, nullification resolutions, and study
-29-1bills by number. The agenda should contain the names
2of individuals who are scheduled to appear before the
3committee and the organization which they represent.
4A bill, joint resolution, nullification resolution,
5or study bill shall not be reported out of committee if
6the bill was not included in the published notice and
7agenda unless this rule is suspended by a majority of
8the total membership of the committee.
9A committee chair may call a meeting without
10providing the required notice and agenda upon leave
11of the house if a notice is either electronically
12transmitted to committee members or placed on the desks
13of committee members.
14Rule 58
15Clearing of Committee Room
16The chair of a committee may clear the committee
17room in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct.
18Rule 58A
19Use of Telephonic or Electronic Devices in Committee
20Rooms Restricted
211. In any committee room while a standing committee
22is in session:
23a. A person shall mute any cell phone, computer, or
24other electronic device under the person’s control.
25b. A person shall not use a cell phone or other
26electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
27communications.
282. The chair or acting chair of a standing
29committee may clear the committee room of any person
30acting in violation of this rule.
-30-1Rule 59
2Committee Amendments
3All amendments to a bill or resolution adopted in
4committee shall be incorporated in a single committee
5amendment or incorporated in a new committee bill.
6Rule 60
7Withdrawal of Bills, Joint Resolutions, or
8Nullification Resolutions From Committee
9A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
10resolution which has been in committee for eighteen
11legislative days following notation of such referral
12in the journal may be withdrawn from the committee and
13placed on the calendar by an affirmative vote of not
14less than fifty-one members of the house.
15Rule 61
16Committee Public Hearings
17The chair of a committee may call a public hearing
18for the purpose of receiving public comment on any
19matter within the purview of the committee.
20The chair shall call a public hearing upon the
21written request of committee members according to
22committee rules, but no more than one-third of the
23committee members shall be required.
24A public hearing shall not be called or requested
25after final action on the bill, joint resolution,
26or nullification resolution has been taken by the
27committee. However, a public hearing called or
28requested before final action has been taken by the
29committee may be held after final action on the bill,
30joint resolution, or nullification resolution has been
-31-1taken by the committee.
2The chair shall designate the day for a public
3hearing and provide public notice at least four days
4prior to a public hearing. A public hearing shall take
5place in room 103 of the capitol building and shall
6begin at 5:00 p.m. A speaker shall not speak for more
7than two minutes. As is possible, speakers shall be
8alternated between speakers speaking in favor of the
9matter and speakers opposed to the matter.
10A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
11resolution for which a public hearing has been called
12can be voted to the calendar but cannot be debated
13until after the public hearing has been held. If a
14bill, joint resolution, or nullification resolution
15for which a public hearing has been called is not
16debated by the house during the session in which it
17is introduced, the request for the public hearing is
18deemed to have lapsed upon adjournment sine die of that
19session.
20However, public hearings which have been requested
21during or after the 9th week of the first session and
22during or after the 7th week of the second session must
23be held within four legislative days of the date of the
24request.
25Rule 62
26Limitation on Filing of Claims
27All claims shall be referred to the appropriations
28committee. A claim referred to the appropriations
29committee in a prior session of the general assembly
30shall not be considered by the appropriations
-32-1committee or by the house unless it has been
2specifically referred to this session by a vote of the
3appropriations committee. The appropriations committee
4is authorized to set a definite date each session after
5which it will not receive claims or claim bills for
6consideration.
7DIVISION VI — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
8Rule 63
9Organization of Committee of the Whole
10In forming the committee of the whole house, the
11speaker shall appoint a member to preside in committee
12and then leave the chair.
13Rule 64
14Rules in Committee of the Whole
15The rules of the house shall be observed in
16committee of the whole house, so far as they are
17applicable.
18Rule 65
19Bills in Committee of the Whole
20Bills committed to the committee of the whole house
21shall first be debated by section. After the report
22of the committee of the whole, the bill shall again be
23subject to debate and amendment before a vote is had on
24its last reading and passage.
25Rule 66
26Amendments by Committee of the Whole
27All amendments made to a report committed to a
28committee of the whole house shall be noted and
29reported as in the case of bills.
30DIVISION VII — MOTIONS
-33-1Rule 67
2Order and Precedence of Motions
3The following order of motions, listed in order
4of precedence, shall govern when a question is under
5debate:
61. Adjourn.
72. Recess.
83. Questions of privilege.
94. Lay on the table.
105. Previous question.
116. Limit debate.
127. Postpone definitely or to a certain time.
138. Refer or rerefer.
149. Defer.
1510. Amend an amendment.
1611. Amend.
1712. Postpone indefinitely.
18A motion to postpone definitely or to a certain
19time, to refer or commit, or to postpone indefinitely a
20particular question shall not be considered more than
21once on the same day.
22Adoption of a motion to strike the enacting words is
23equivalent to rejection of the question.
24Rule 68
25Order of Consideration of Amendments
26Amendments shall be considered by earliest position
27in the bill. Amendments to the same place in the bill
28shall be considered by the lowest amendment number. An
29amendment which inserts language after a line and an
30amendment which inserts language before the succeeding
-34-1line shall be considered amendments to the same place
2in the bill.
3However, an amendment to strike the enacting clause
4shall always be considered first. An amendment filed
5by a committee shall have the next highest order of
6priority, followed by an amendment to strike everything
7after the enacting clause and insert new language. An
8amendment to strike language or to strike and insert
9new language, except an amendment to strike everything
10after the enacting clause and insert new language,
11shall not be considered before amendments to perfect
12all or part of the same portion of the bill.
13Rule 69
14Motions Not Debatable
15The following motions are not debatable:
161. Adjourn.
172. Adjourn to a certain time.
183. Suspend house rules.
194. Previous question.
205. Close debate at a certain time.
216. Recess.
227. Defer.
238. Refer or rerefer.
249. Lay on the table.
2510. Take from the table.
2611. Call of the house.
2712. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
2813. Appeal a decision of the chair.
2914. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
30Rule 69A
-35-1Constitutional Majority
21. The following motions require a constitutional
3majority for approval:
4a. Final passage of a bill, joint resolution, or
5nullification resolution.
6b. Lay on the table.
7c. Take from the table.
8d. Suspend house rules.
9e. Previous question.
10f. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
11g. Reconsider a bill, joint resolution, or
12nullification resolution.
13h. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
142. A division must be taken on any motion which
15requires a constitutional majority.
16Rule 70
17Motion to Adjourn
18A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except
19when a member is speaking or the house is voting.
20Rule 71
21Withdrawal of Motions
22After a motion is stated by the speaker or read by
23the chief clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession
24of the house, but may be withdrawn by leave of the
25house.
26Rule 72
27Unanimous Consent
28Unanimous consent of the members may be asked for
29suspension of any rule of the house. If there is no
30objection to the request, the rule shall be considered
-36-1suspended.
2Rule 73
3Reconsideration
41. A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
5member who voted on the prevailing side of the question
6sought to be reconsidered.
72. A motion to reconsider may be made not later
8than adjournment on the legislative day following
9the legislative day of the action sought to be
10reconsidered. Where the floor manager voted on
11the prevailing side, the floor manager has the
12prior right to make the motion, until adjournment
13on the legislative day of the action sought to be
14reconsidered. A motion to reconsider a nullification
15resolution shall be acted upon not later than
16adjournment on the legislative day following
17the legislative day of the action sought to be
18reconsidered.
193. A motion to reconsider made beginning the
20fifteenth week of the first regular session, or the
21thirteenth week of the second regular session, may be
22taken up when made. A motion made at any other time
23may be taken up prior to the third legislative day
24succeeding the legislative day of the action sought
25to be reconsidered only if called up by the mover,
26and after the second legislative day succeeding the
27legislative day of the action sought to be reconsidered
28if called up by any member.
294. The making of a motion to reconsider takes
30precedence over all other questions.
-37- 15. When passage, adoption, or failure of any bill,
2joint resolution, or nullification resolution is
3reconsidered, questions on amendments may also be
4reconsidered and shall be disposed of immediately.
56. In the event that a motion to reconsider
6is pending at the end of the first session or any
7extraordinary session of any general assembly, or the
8general assembly adjourns sine die, and the motion to
9reconsider has not been voted upon by the house, the
10motion shall be determined to have failed.
11DIVISION VIII — VOTING
12Rule 74
13Manner of Voting
14Members present may cast their votes, either by
15operating the voting mechanism located at their
16assigned desk or by signaling the speaker from the
17floor of the house or from the south visitors’ gallery
18if they are unable to vote at their assigned desk.
19Only a member may operate the voting mechanism at that
20member’s assigned desk. The speaker shall announce the
21votes of members signaling their votes. Upon direction
22of the speaker only those members at their desks and
23voting shall be counted. Members who are not present
24shall not cast their votes except:
251. Members who have not voted may record their
26votes on any record roll call vote except quorum calls
27within twenty ten minutes after the outcome of the
28vote has been announced during the first session of the
29eighty-ninth general assembly and within ten minutes
30after the outcome of the vote has been announced
-38-1during the second session of the eighty-ninth general
2assembly. Members shall initial their recorded votes
3on a copy of the record roll call at the speaker’s
4station. However, if the aggregate of votes cast
5under this rule would change the outcome of the vote
6on a question, then none of the votes cast on the
7question under this rule shall be recorded. A member
8may request announcement of the names of members so
9recorded after the twenty-minute period or ten-minute
10period, as applicable.
112. Members meeting in a conference committee
12or in administrative rules review committee at the
13time a vote is taken on a question may have their
14vote recorded within thirty minutes or adjournment,
15whichever is first, of that same legislative day,
16provided the aggregate of votes cast does not change
17the outcome of the vote on a question.
18Rule 75
19Voting in the House and Duty of Voting
20Voting on a question put to members on the floor of
21the house shall not occur between midnight and 8 a.m.
22on any legislative day except for voting on a motion to
23recess, defer, or adjourn. Except as limited in Rule
2476, every member who is in the house when a question is
25put shall vote unless the house has excused that member
26from voting for special reasons; however, such member
27must have asked to be excused from voting prior to the
28time the speaker puts the question.
29Rule 76
30Limitation on Right to Vote
-39- 1No member shall vote on any question in which
2the member or the member’s immediate family member,
3as defined in chapter 68B of the Code, has a direct
4financial interest different from other similarly
5situated persons or classes of persons of the general
6public.
7Rule 77
8Call of the House
9Upon written request of five members, the presiding
10officer shall compel attendance of absent and unexcused
11members for the consideration of specified bills,
12resolutions, or amendments.
13A call of the house shall specify the propositions
14to which it is to apply and must be put into effect
15before roll call is taken on the proposition. The
16request may be filed with the chief clerk at any time
17before final action upon the propositions, who shall
18notify the house immediately.
19Rule 78
20Method of Calling the House
21Upon a call of the house, the names of the members
22shall be called by the chief clerk and the absentees
23noted, after which the names of the absentees shall
24again be called. The sergeant-at-arms shall be
25directed by the speaker to compel the attendance of
26absent members, unless they are previously excused.
27Any member occupying the member’s seat during a call
28of the house shall be counted by the speaker and that
29person’s name entered in the journal as being present
30for the purpose of making a quorum.
-40-1Rule 79
2Method of Calling the Roll
3The electrical voting machine shall be used for a
4call of the house, a quorum call or a roll call vote
5on any question. If the electrical voting machine is
6not in operating order when it is necessary to take
7a record roll call vote, the presiding officer shall
8order the vote to be taken by calling the roll in
9alphabetical order, except the name of the presiding
10officer shall be called last.
11During the casting of the vote with the voting
12machine, the individual votes and the vote totals shall
13be shown on the display boards. Before the voting
14machine is closed, the presiding officer shall inquire
15of the house, “Have you all voted?”
16Rule 80
17Quorum and Record Roll Call Votes
18A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
19A record roll call vote shall be ordered upon
20request of any two members. The names of the members
21requesting the record roll call shall be entered in the
22journal.
23Rule 81
24Previous Question
25When a member moves for the previous question, the
26member shall state whether the motion will apply to the
27main question, to all the amendments, or to particular
28amendments. The motion requires an affirmative vote of
29at least a constitutional majority of the members. If
30the motion for a previous question is not adopted, the
-41-1house shall proceed in the same manner as before the
2motion was made.
3If the motion is adopted, all debate must end and
4the house will vote upon the question except:
51. If the motion applies to the main question, the
6member in charge of the measure will have ten minutes
7to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
8the vote on the measure is taken.
92. If the motion applies to an amendment, the
10member proposing the amendment will have five minutes
11to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
12the vote on the amendment is taken.
133. If a member has filed a written request with
14the chief clerk of the house indicating the member’s
15desire to speak on a particular question. The request
16must be filed before the motion is made by the movant.
17The request allows a member to speak on a particular
18question before the closing discussion by the member
19who is in charge of the measure or who is proposing the
20amendment.
21Rule 82
22Division of the Question
23Any member may call for a division of the question,
24which shall be divided if it comprehends questions so
25distinct that one being taken away, the remainder may
26stand separately for discussion by the house. Upon
27request to divide an amendment, the chief clerk shall
28restate the division and note the divided amendment in
29the house journal. An amendment to strike out being
30lost shall not preclude an amendment to strike out and
-42-1insert. An amendment to strike out and insert shall be
2deemed indivisible.
-43-tm/jh
An Act 1relating to permanent rules of the House
2of Representatives for the Ninetieth General
3Assembly.
4BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That
5the permanent rules of the House for the Eighty-ninth
6 Ninetieth 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 any artificial
28lighting 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
9Reserved
10Rule 8
11Violation of House Rules
12The speaker shall, or any member may, call to order
13a member who violates the rules of the house. With
14leave of the house, the member called to order may be
15permitted to explain. If the case requires it, the
16member shall be subject to censure of the house.
17Rule 9
18Referral of Rule Violations
19The speaker shall, upon complaint of a member,
20or upon the speaker’s own motion, refer any alleged
21violation of house or joint rules by house members,
22employees or staff to the house ethics committee upon
23an initial finding that an investigation is warranted.
24The ethics committee shall investigate such
25allegations and report them back to the house with a
26recommendation.
27Rule 10
28Recognition and Decorum in Debate
29A member who wishes to speak in debate shall be
30appropriately attired, with male members wearing coat
-5-1or tie. After recognition by the chair, a member
2shall respectfully address the presiding officer
3by saying “Mr.or Madam Speaker”. A member shall
4confine all remarks to the question under debate,
5shall be respectful of other members, and shall avoid
6referencing or questioning the motives of another
7member.
8No member shall leave the house while the speaker
9is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
10speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
11have been recognized by the speaker.
12Rule 11
13Limit on Debate
14No member shall speak more than once on the same
15question without leave of the speaker, nor more than
16twice until every member choosing to speak has spoken,
17except as provided in Rule 81. A member shall be
18limited to ten minutes debate on bills, resolutions,
19and amendments, but may be granted an extension of time
20by consent of the house. However, the floor manager
21of a bill or resolution may exceed the ten-minute limit
22on opening and closing remarks. Only the floor manager
23of a bill or an amendment may speak during opening and
24closing remarks on the bill or amendment.
25Rule 12
26Reserved
27Rule 13
28Stating the Question
29When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the
30speaker. A motion made in writing shall be passed to
-6-1the speaker’s station before it is debated.
2Rule 14
3Putting the Question
4Questions shall be distinctly put in this form:
5“All those in favor of (the question) shall say ‘aye’;”
6and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “All
7those opposed to (the question) shall say ‘no’.”
8 If the speaker is in doubt or a member of the house
9requests, a nonrecord roll call vote shall be taken.
10DIVISION II — EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
11Rule 15
12Chief Clerk of the House
13The chief clerk of the house shall serve as
14parliamentarian and chief administrative officer of the
15house under the direction of the speaker of the house.
16The chief clerk shall supervise the chief clerk’s
17office; be responsible for the custody and safekeeping
18of all bills, resolutions, and amendments filed,
19except when they are in the custody of a committee;
20have charge of the daily journal; have control of all
21rooms assigned for the use of the house; attest to the
22accuracy and correctness of text and action on bills
23and resolutions; process the handling of amendments
24when filed and during the floor consideration of bills;
25insert adopted amendments into bills before transmittal
26to the senate and prior to final enrollment; supervise
27legislative printing and the distribution of printed
28material; and perform all other duties pertaining to
29the office of the chief clerk.
30Rule 16
-7-1Legislative and Session Days
2For purposes of these rules, a legislative day is a
3day when the house is called to order. A legislative
4day that runs past midnight is not considered a new
5legislative day. A session day is any calendar day
6beginning with the convening of the annual regular
7session and ending with adjournment sine die.
8Rule 17
9Sergeant-At-Arms
10The sergeant-at-arms shall execute all orders of
11the house and the presiding officer; perform all
12assigned duties related to the policing and good order
13of the house; supervise the entrance and exit of all
14persons to and from the chamber; promptly execute all
15messages, etc.; provide that the chamber is properly
16ventilated and open for the use of the members; and
17perform all other services pertaining to the office of
18sergeant-at-arms.
19Rule 18
20Secretaries
21Each member may hire a secretary for the legislative
22session who shall be under the general direction of the
23member and the chief clerk. Secretaries shall be on
24duty at the house from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.Monday
25through Thursday and on other legislative days when
26required by the chief clerk, except when excused by the
27member for whom the secretary works. Secretaries shall
28perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
29member or the chief clerk.
30Rule 19
-8-1Extra Compensation of Employees
2No employee shall receive any extra compensation,
3except as provided by the house, or tips for services
4performed while on duty. Any violation of this rule
5shall be grounds for removal.
6DIVISION III — VISITORS AND LOBBYISTS
7Rule 20
8Admission to the House; Lobbying
9The chamber of the house shall include the
10vestibule, restrooms, bill room, lounge, visitors’
11galleries, and floor of the house.
12The floor of the house shall consist of the
13area between the north and south walls, including
14the representatives’ desks, the press box, and the
15speaker’s station, but excluding the visitors’
16galleries.
17During a legislative day while the house is in
18order, no member of the general assembly or legislative
19employee or intern shall be admitted to the floor of
20the house if attired in jeans of any color without
21leave of the speaker.
22During a legislative day while the house is in
23order, and one-half hour before the house convenes and
24one-half hour after the house recesses or adjourns,
25no person shall be admitted to the floor of the house
26except:
271. Members of the general assembly and authorized
28legislative employees in the performance of their
29duties.
302. Former members of the general assembly who are
-9-1not registered lobbyists.
23. A general assembly member’s family.
34. Representatives of the press, radio, and
4television who shall go directly to and from the press
5box.
65. Legislative interns registered with the chief
7clerk who shall go directly to and from the seat of
8their assigned representative or to be seated in the
9perimeter seating area.
106. Designated representatives of a political party
11having members serving in the house.
127. Members of the state executive council, the
13lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
14governor’s executive assistants and administrative
15assistants, and the administrative rules coordinator,
16all of whom shall be confined to the perimeter area.
17The current status of former members of the general
18assembly shall govern their access to the floor under
19these rules.
20No other persons shall be allowed on the house floor
21while the house is in order without permission of the
22presiding officer of the house. When the house is not
23in order, guests of a member of the general assembly
24escorted by that member shall be allowed on the house
25floor.
26No person admitted to the floor of the house while
27the house is in order, except members of the general
28assembly, shall lobby or attempt to exercise any
29influence with any member for or against any matter
30then pending or that may thereafter be considered by
-10-1the house.
2A registered lobbyist shall not be admitted to
3the floor of the house on any legislative day except
4for ceremonial purposes or for attendance at public
5hearings.
6A lobbyist who represents the position of a state
7government agency, in which the person serves or is
8employed as the designated representative for purposes
9of encouraging the passage or defeat of legislation,
10shall file with the chief clerk of the house a
11statement of the general subjects of legislation in
12which the lobbyist is or may be interested, but shall
13not lobby for or against a bill, resolution, or study
14bill unless the lobbyist does so with the written
15authorization and on behalf of a statewide elected
16or retained official. The official’s writing may
17authorize the lobbyist to register and lobby for or
18against any or all bills in which the lobbyist is
19or may be interested or may restrict the lobbyist
20to register and lobby for or against only some bills
21in which the lobbyist is or may be interested. The
22written authorizations shall be filed with the chief
23clerk, according to a procedure established by the
24clerk for the filing of the authorizations and for
25making them available to the public, by the following
26statewide elected or retained official for the
27following offices, departments, agencies, and branch:
28By the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary
29of state, and treasurer of state, for their respective
30offices.
-11- 1By the secretary of agriculture, for the department
2of agriculture and land stewardship.
3By the chairperson of the ethics and campaign
4disclosure board, for the executive director, legal
5counsel, and other employees of the board.
6By the governor, for all other executive branch
7offices and departments.
8By the chief justice of the supreme court, for the
9judicial branch.
10Each member, employee of the house, and registered
11lobbyist may report violations of this rule immediately
12to the sergeant-at-arms or the chief clerk.
13Any person for cause may be summarily dismissed
14from the chamber of the house, by action of the house,
15and may forfeit that person’s right to admission
16thereafter.
17Rule 20A
18Legislative Interns
19A member may appoint one or more interns who shall
20register with the chief clerk. Only one legislative
21intern per member of the house is allowed on the floor
22of the house at any one time.
23Rule 21
24Distribution of Literature and Other Items
25No person except a member or employee of the house
26of representatives shall distribute or cause to be
27distributed any pamphlets, material, or other printed
28literature, or any other items to the members’ desks
29in the house without authorization. An employee
30of the house shall generally distribute or cause
-12-1to be distributed such literature or items only on
2behalf of the employee’s office or staff. Items which
3are permissible gifts under chapter 68B of the Code
4may be distributed to the members’ desks with the
5authorization of the chief clerk.
6All copies of pamphlets, material, or printed
7literature distributed by a member or employee of the
8house of representatives shall bear the name of the
9member or employee’s office or staff.
10Other distributions of pamphlets, material, or
11other printed literature shall bear their source of
12origin and be distributed through the legislative
13post office or to the members’ desks by completing
14a form containing a member’s or the chief clerk’s
15authorization, with the authorization form filed with
16the chief clerk. The authorization form shall be
17retained for a reasonable time period by the chief
18clerk.
19Rule 22
20Distribution of Materials Printed by the State
21A member of the house shall not distribute maps,
22books, and pamphlets which have been printed by the
23state of Iowa and upon which the name of the member
24of the house has been affixed unless the member has
25purchased the materials or unless the member has
26affixed the words “Paid for by the citizens of Iowa and
27distributed by representative (member’s name).”
28DIVISION IV — FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR BILLS AND OTHER
29DOCUMENTS
30Rule 23
-13-1Documents Signed by the Speaker
2All acts and joint resolutions shall be signed by
3the speaker, and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas
4issued by order of the house, shall be signed by the
5speaker and attested by the chief clerk. The speaker
6shall cause certificates of recognition or condolence
7to be issued by the house which shall be signed by
8the speaker and the chief clerk. The chief clerk
9shall maintain a list of certificates issued including
10the name of the requesting member of the house, the
11name of the recipient, the reason for recognition or
12condolence, and the date of issuance.
13Rule 24
14Presentation of Petitions
15All petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed
16to the house shall be signed by the member and filed
17with the chief clerk. The receipt of petitions shall
18be noted in the journal and such petitions shall be
19available in the office of the chief clerk. At the
20conclusion of each general assembly, the chief clerk
21may dispose of petitions received during that general
22assembly.
23Rule 25
24Consideration of Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
25Action on a simple or concurrent resolution, except
26a memorial resolution, shall not be taken until one day
27after the resolution has been placed on the members’
28desks. After the resolution is adopted, the chief
29clerk shall have the resolution printed in the compiled
30journal and shall transmit certified copies of the
-14-1resolution as directed.
2Rule 26
3Unanimous Consent Calendar
4The speaker may, upon the request of three members,
5place on a unanimous consent calendar any house
6resolution or concurrent resolution which does not
7contain an appropriation and which has been laid over
8under Rule 25.
9If such resolution is placed on the unanimous
10consent calendar, it may be removed only upon a written
11request submitted to the speaker by a member of the
12house.
13If not removed after five legislative days, the
14chief clerk shall call up the resolution and without
15debate the speaker shall pronounce that it has passed
16by unanimous consent.
17If the resolution is removed from the unanimous
18consent calendar, the speaker may again lay the
19resolution over under Rule 25, place it on a different
20calendar, or refer the resolution to any of the
21standing committees of the house.
22Rule 26A
23Senate Bills and Resolutions
24A senate bill or resolution may be referred to a
25standing committee or passed on file.
26Rule 27
27Forms of Bills and Joint Resolutions
28Every house bill shall be introduced by one or more
29members or by any standing or specially authorized
30committee of the house or the administrative rules
-15-1review committee. All bills and joint resolutions
2introduced shall be prepared by the legislative
3services agency with title, enacting clause, text
4and explanation as directed by the chief clerk of the
5house. One copy of each bill shall be presented in a
6bill cover with the number of copies of the bill and
7the title as directed by the chief clerk.
8Rule 28
9Joint and Nullification Resolutions
10Joint resolutions shall be framed and treated as
11bills.
12A “nullification resolution” is a joint resolution
13which nullifies all of an administrative rule, or
14a severable item of an administrative rule adopted
15pursuant to chapter 17A of the Code. A nullification
16resolution shall not amend an administrative rule by
17adding language or by inserting new language in lieu of
18existing language.
19A nullification resolution may be introduced by an
20individual, a standing committee or the administrative
21rules review committee, and may be referred to a
22standing committee. A nullification resolution is
23debatable, but cannot be amended on the floor of the
24house.
25Rule 29
26Time of Introduction of Bills
27No bill or joint resolution under individual
28sponsorship, other than a nullification resolution,
29shall be read for the first time after 4:30 p.m.on
30Friday of the fifth week of the first regular session
-16-1of the general assembly unless a formal request for
2drafting the bill has been filed with the legislative
3services agency before that time.
4After adjournment of the first regular session,
5bills may be prefiled at any time before the convening
6of the second regular session. No bill or joint
7resolution under individual sponsorship, other than a
8nullification resolution, shall be read for the first
9time after 4:30 p.m.on Friday of the second week of
10the second regular session of the general assembly
11unless a formal request for drafting the bill has been
12filed with the legislative services agency before that
13time.
14However, bills or joint resolutions sponsored
15by standing committees or the administrative rules
16review committee, co-sponsored by the majority and
17minority floor leaders, or companion bills sponsored
18by the house majority leader and the senate majority
19leader may be drafted and introduced at any time
20permissible under Joint Rule 20. House, concurrent,
21and nullification resolutions may be introduced at any
22time.
23Rule 30
24Introduction and Reading of Bills
25All bills and resolutions to be introduced in the
26house shall be prepared in proper form and filed
27with the chief clerk no later than 4:30 p.m.on the
28legislative day preceding its introduction.
29Every bill shall receive two readings but no bill
30shall receive its first and last readings on the same
-17-1day.
2A “reading of a bill” as required by these rules
3shall consist of a reading of the title and enacting
4clause.
5Rule 31
6First Reading, Commitment, and Amendment
71. A bill is introduced into the house by an
8initial or “first reading of the bill”.
92. When the house is in session the first reading
10shall consist of a “reading” as provided in Rule 30.
113. Upon a first reading of the bill, the speaker
12shall state that it is ready for commitment or
13amendment; and the speaker shall commit it to the
14standing or select committee, or to a committee of the
15whole house. If to a committee of the whole house, the
16house shall determine on what day.
174. On a nonlegislative day the speaker may cause a
18statement, which shall consist of the title, enacting
19clause, bill number and committee to which the bill
20is referred, to be published in the house journal.
21This publication shall constitute a first reading and
22commitment and shall contain the notation “read and
23committed under Rule 31”.
245. All amendments offered to bills and resolutions
25shall be accompanied by such copies as the chief clerk
26shall direct.
276. Such amendments shall give the number of
28the bill sought to amend and the chief clerk shall
29designate each such amendment thus: Amendment to
30House File _________, or Senate File ________, by
-18-1___________.
27. A bill reported out by committee shall go to the
3speaker who shall direct that the bill be placed on the
4regular calendar unless it covers subject matter more
5properly within the jurisdiction of some other standing
6committee, in which case the speaker may refer the bill
7to the proper standing committee. In order to expedite
8important business and set a definite time for the
9bill’s consideration, the speaker may direct the bill
10to be placed on the special order calendar.
118. No amendment to the rules of the house, to any
12resolution or bill, except technical amendments and
13amendments to bills substituted for by senate files
14containing substantially identical title, language,
15subject matter, purpose and intrasectional arrangement,
16shall be considered by the membership of the house
17without a copy of the amendment having been filed with
18the chief clerk by 4:00 p.m.or within one-half hour of
19adjournment, whichever is later, on the day preceding
20floor debate on the amendment. If the house adjourns
21prior to 2:00 p.m.on Friday, the final deadline is two
22hours after adjournment. However, committee amendments
23filed pursuant to the submission of the committee
24report may be accepted after this deadline. This
25provision shall not apply to any proposal debated on
26the floor of the house after the thirteenth week of
27the first session and the twelfth week of the second
28session. No amendment or amendment to an amendment
29to a bill, rule of the house, or resolution shall be
30considered by the membership of the house without
-19-1a copy of the amendment being on the desks of the
2entire membership of the house prior to consideration.
3However, the membership of the house may consider an
4amendment or an amendment to an amendment to a bill,
5rule of the house, or resolution without a copy of the
6amendment being on the desks of the entire membership
7of the house prior to consideration if a copy of the
8amendment is made available to the entire membership of
9the house electronically.
10Rule 32
11Commitment of Appropriation and Revenue Bills
12All Except for bills assigned to the Education
13Reform Committee during the 2023 regular session of
14the General Assembly and any special session taking
15place prior to the 2024 regular session of the General
16Assembly, all bills to appropriate money shall be
17referred to the appropriations committee, and all bills
18pertaining to the levy, assessment, or collection of
19taxes or fees shall be referred to the committee on
20ways and means.
21Rule 33
22Regular Calendar
23Bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
24resolutions reported out for passage, amendment and
25passage, or without recommendation by a committee,
26or passed on file shall be arranged on a regular
27calendar by the chief clerk each day and electronically
28distributed to the members at the opening of each
29legislative day. The regular calendar shall include
30a list of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
-20-1resolutions which have been special ordered, including
2the date upon which debate is scheduled to begin on
3each of them, which shall be no sooner than three
4session days from the first date of publication on the
5regular calendar.
6Rule 34
7Daily Debate Calendar
8The majority floor leadership shall cause to be
9prepared and electronically distributed to the members
10at the opening of each legislative day when floor
11action is scheduled, a daily debate calendar consisting
12of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
13resolutions from the regular calendar setting forth the
14number and title of bills, nullification resolutions,
15and joint resolutions for the next legislative day that
16floor action is scheduled.
17This rule does not apply to bills which have passed
18both houses in different forms, reconsiderations, or
19veto reconsiderations.
20Rule 35
21Substitution of Bills
22A senate bill or resolution may be substituted
23for an identical house bill or resolution which has
24been called up for debate. An amendment to a senate
25bill or resolution which has been substituted for an
26identical house bill or resolution is out of order if
27an identical amendment to the house bill or resolution
28was considered.
29If a bill is moved to unfinished business and a
30similar senate bill is also on the calendar, both bills
-21-1shall be moved to unfinished business.
2Rule 36
3Consideration of Committee Amendments
4After a bill has been referred and reported back,
5it shall be considered on its first reading after the
6amendments of the committee have been read.
7Rule 37
8Amendments to Special Order Bills
9All amendments to bills which have been special
10ordered shall be filed at least three session days
11prior to the date set for debate. Amendments to an
12amendment shall be filed at least two session days
13prior to the date set for debate. However, corrective
14amendments and amendments sponsored by either the
15majority floor leader or the minority floor leader may
16be filed at any time. Rule 31, subsection 8, shall not
17apply to these amendments.
18A corrective amendment is an amendment which does
19not substantively change the amendment or the bill.
20Rule 38
21Germane Amendments
22An amendment must be germane to the subject matter
23of the bill it seeks to amend. An amendment to an
24amendment must be germane to both the amendment and the
25bill it seeks to amend. When a member objects to an
26amendment on grounds that the amendment is not germane,
27the speaker may invite members, who shall include the
28majority and minority leaders, to the speaker’s station
29to discuss the objection.
30Rule 39
-22-1Consideration of Bills
2Bills, including committee bills, joint resolutions,
3and nullification resolutions, reported out for
4passage, for amendment and passage, or without
5recommendation by the committee, are first eligible to
6be acted upon beginning the third legislative day they
7appear on the regular calendar.
8Committee reports shall be printed in the journal
9immediately after they are filed with the chief clerk.
10Reports recommending bills, joint resolutions, and
11nullification resolutions for passage, for amendment
12and passage, or without recommendation shall stand
13approved unless written objections are filed during
14the first legislative day following their printing in
15the journal. If objections are filed, they shall be
16disposed of as soon as possible.
17Rule 40
18Consideration of Bills Upon Last Reading
19No amendment, unless by way of correcting an error
20or omission, shall be received to any bill on its last
21reading, and no debate shall be allowed on it.
22Rule 41
23Printing of Bills and Joint Resolutions
24Bills and joint resolutions shall be printed in form
25as provided by law and by rule. Each house may direct
26the printing of an additional number of its own bills.
27Legalizing bills of a local or private nature shall
28be printed in bill form and placed in the files of the
29members, the same as other bills, in the order of their
30introduction. The cost of printing shall be deposited
-23-1with the treasurer of state in advance at a rate to be
2fixed, and the newspaper publication of the bill shall
3be without cost to the state. No legalizing act may
4be introduced until all provisions of law have been
5complied with.
6Rule 42
7Certification and Engrossment of Bills
8The chief clerk shall certify the passage of each
9bill and note the date of its passage.
10In engrossing a bill, the chief clerk shall
11correct all obvious typographical, spelling, or other
12clerical errors and change section subunit numbers
13and letters and internal references as required to
14conform the original bill to any amendments which have
15been adopted. The chief clerk shall report all such
16corrections or changes in the journal. The engrossed
17bill shall be placed in the bill file with the original
18bill and amendments.
19Rule 43
20Rereferral
21A bill may be rereferred by the speaker or, upon
22motion, by the house at any time before its passage and
23after the report of its referral to committee.
24Rule 44
25Effect of Indefinite Postponement
26When a question is indefinitely postponed, it shall
27not be acted upon again during that session.
28Rule 45
29Status of Bills Following First Regular Session
30Except for those bills which have been adopted
-24-1by both houses in different forms, all bills which
2have not been withdrawn, defeated, or indefinitely
3postponed, shall be rereferred to committee upon
4adjournment of the first regular session.
5DIVISION V — COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
6Rule 46
7Appointment of Committees
8All committees shall be appointed by the speaker,
9unless otherwise especially directed by the house.
10Minority party members of a committee shall be
11appointed by the speaker upon recommendation of the
12minority leader.
13Rule 47
14Reserved
15Rule 48
16Study Bills
17A study bill is any matter which a chairperson of
18a standing committee wishes to have considered by the
19standing committee of which the member is the chair,
20other than appropriations, without being introduced
21in the house by a first reading. A study bill shall
22be prepared in proper form by the legislative services
23agency prior to submission.
24Upon taking possession of a study bill, the
25committee chair shall notify the speaker and then
26submit four copies of the bill to the legal counsel’s
27office for numbering.
28A study bill shall bear the name of the committee
29chair. A study bill submitted by a state agency or
30board for consideration shall bear the name of the
-25-1state agency or board.
2Rule 49
3Committee Meetings
4No committee, except a conference committee or the
5administrative rules review committee, shall meet
6while the house is in session without special leave.
7Committees with overlapping memberships shall not meet
8at the same time without special leave.
9Rule 50
10Smoking Prohibited
11Smoking shall not be permitted in the house or in
12any area of the capitol building.
13Rule 51
14Assignments to Subcommittee
15The chair of the committee shall report to the house
16the bill number of each bill assigned to subcommittee
17and the names of the subcommittee members. The report
18shall be printed in the journal.
19All bills, prior to consideration by the committee,
20shall be referred by the chair to a subcommittee,
21unless acted upon by a committee of the whole.
22The chair may assign bills to subcommittees without
23a meeting of the committee, but the membership of the
24subcommittee so appointed shall be reported to the
25committee by the chair.
26Rule 52
27Open Meetings
28Standing committee meetings shall be open, and
29voting by secret ballot is prohibited. The committee
30on administration and rules may close its meetings to
-26-1evaluate the professional competency of an individual.
2Rule 53
3Quorum and Vote Requirements
4The committee roll shall be taken at the convening
5of each meeting to determine the presence of a quorum.
6A majority of the committee membership shall constitute
7a quorum.
8An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee
9membership is required to report a bill out of
10committee or to suspend a committee rule.
11A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
12committee member who voted on the prevailing side of
13the question sought to be reconsidered. A motion to
14reconsider may only be made prior to the adjournment of
15the committee meeting at which the bill was reported
16out.
17If a member, who is in the committee room when a
18question to report a bill out of committee is put, has
19not asked to be excused prior to commencing to take
20the vote on the question, the member shall vote aye
21or nay unless the committee has excused the member for
22special reasons. However, a member may pass on the
23first taking of the roll call on the question but shall
24vote aye or nay when the member’s name is called for a
25second time.
26Rule 54
27Committee Attendance Record and Report of Committee
28Form
291. A committee attendance record shall be filed
30with the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two
-27-1hours after the house convenes, whichever is later,
2of the legislative day immediately following the day
3of the committee meeting. The committee attendance
4record is a public record and may be published in the
5journal. The committee attendance record shall include
6the following information:
7a. The time the meeting convened.
8b. The members present at the meeting.
9c. The time the meeting adjourned.
10d. A list of bills receiving final committee
11disposition.
122. A report of committee form shall be filed with
13the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two hours
14after the house convenes, whichever is later, of the
15legislative day immediately following the day of the
16committee meeting for each study bill, numbered bill
17or resolution receiving final committee disposition.
18The report of committee form is a public record and
19a report of committee action shall be printed in the
20journal. The report of committee form shall include
21the following information:
22a. The committee action taken.
23b. The committee amendment number, if any.
24c. The roll call vote of the committee on final
25disposition.
26d. The minority recommendation, if any.
273. Upon final adjournment of the first session
28and final adjournment of the second session of the
29general assembly, the chair of each committee shall
30have placed the committee’s book of record containing
-28-1minutes, record roll calls on final disposition, record
2roll call votes on any amendments considered, rules,
3etc., with the chief clerk for access of any interested
4person.
5Rule 55
6Minority Recommendation
7The minority of the members of a committee may
8present its recommendations on the final disposition
9of a bill to the house by attaching its recommendation
10to the committee report. The minority recommendation
11shall be noted in the journal along with the committee
12report.
13Rule 56
14Committee Amendment
15Whenever a committee amendment is proposed which
16would amend another committee amendment, the amendment
17shall be drafted in the form of a substitute amendment
18and shall be considered as such.
19Rule 57
20Committee Notice and Agenda
21Each committee shall prepare and publish a notice
22and agenda of each committee meeting at least one
23legislative day prior to the meeting. The notice and
24agenda may be placed on the desks of or transmitted
25electronically to committee members.
26The notice shall contain the committee name, the
27date, time, and location of the meeting.
28The agenda shall contain the matters to be
29discussed, including a list of bills, joint
30resolutions, nullification resolutions, and study
-29-1bills by number. The agenda should contain the names
2of individuals who are scheduled to appear before the
3committee and the organization which they represent.
4A bill, joint resolution, nullification resolution,
5or study bill shall not be reported out of committee if
6the bill was not included in the published notice and
7agenda unless this rule is suspended by a majority of
8the total membership of the committee.
9A committee chair may call a meeting without
10providing the required notice and agenda upon leave
11of the house if a notice is either electronically
12transmitted to committee members or placed on the desks
13of committee members.
14Rule 58
15Clearing of Committee Room
16The chair of a committee may clear the committee
17room in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct.
18Rule 58A
19Use of Telephonic or Electronic Devices in Committee
20Rooms Restricted
211. In any committee room while a standing committee
22is in session:
23a. A person shall mute any cell phone, computer, or
24other electronic device under the person’s control.
25b. A person shall not use a cell phone or other
26electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
27communications.
282. The chair or acting chair of a standing
29committee may clear the committee room of any person
30acting in violation of this rule.
-30-1Rule 59
2Committee Amendments
3All amendments to a bill or resolution adopted in
4committee shall be incorporated in a single committee
5amendment or incorporated in a new committee bill.
6Rule 60
7Withdrawal of Bills, Joint Resolutions, or
8Nullification Resolutions From Committee
9A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
10resolution which has been in committee for eighteen
11legislative days following notation of such referral
12in the journal may be withdrawn from the committee and
13placed on the calendar by an affirmative vote of not
14less than fifty-one members of the house.
15Rule 61
16Committee Public Hearings
17The chair of a committee may call a public hearing
18for the purpose of receiving public comment on any
19matter within the purview of the committee.
20The chair shall call a public hearing upon the
21written request of committee members according to
22committee rules, but no more than one-third of the
23committee members shall be required.
24A public hearing shall not be called or requested
25after final action on the bill, joint resolution,
26or nullification resolution has been taken by the
27committee. However, a public hearing called or
28requested before final action has been taken by the
29committee may be held after final action on the bill,
30joint resolution, or nullification resolution has been
-31-1taken by the committee.
2The chair shall designate the day for a public
3hearing and provide public notice at least four days
4prior to a public hearing. A public hearing shall take
5place in room 103 of the capitol building and shall
6begin at 5:00 p.m. A speaker shall not speak for more
7than two minutes. As is possible, speakers shall be
8alternated between speakers speaking in favor of the
9matter and speakers opposed to the matter.
10A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
11resolution for which a public hearing has been called
12can be voted to the calendar but cannot be debated
13until after the public hearing has been held. If a
14bill, joint resolution, or nullification resolution
15for which a public hearing has been called is not
16debated by the house during the session in which it
17is introduced, the request for the public hearing is
18deemed to have lapsed upon adjournment sine die of that
19session.
20However, public hearings which have been requested
21during or after the 9th week of the first session and
22during or after the 7th week of the second session must
23be held within four legislative days of the date of the
24request.
25Rule 62
26Limitation on Filing of Claims
27All claims shall be referred to the appropriations
28committee. A claim referred to the appropriations
29committee in a prior session of the general assembly
30shall not be considered by the appropriations
-32-1committee or by the house unless it has been
2specifically referred to this session by a vote of the
3appropriations committee. The appropriations committee
4is authorized to set a definite date each session after
5which it will not receive claims or claim bills for
6consideration.
7DIVISION VI — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
8Rule 63
9Organization of Committee of the Whole
10In forming the committee of the whole house, the
11speaker shall appoint a member to preside in committee
12and then leave the chair.
13Rule 64
14Rules in Committee of the Whole
15The rules of the house shall be observed in
16committee of the whole house, so far as they are
17applicable.
18Rule 65
19Bills in Committee of the Whole
20Bills committed to the committee of the whole house
21shall first be debated by section. After the report
22of the committee of the whole, the bill shall again be
23subject to debate and amendment before a vote is had on
24its last reading and passage.
25Rule 66
26Amendments by Committee of the Whole
27All amendments made to a report committed to a
28committee of the whole house shall be noted and
29reported as in the case of bills.
30DIVISION VII — MOTIONS
-33-1Rule 67
2Order and Precedence of Motions
3The following order of motions, listed in order
4of precedence, shall govern when a question is under
5debate:
61. Adjourn.
72. Recess.
83. Questions of privilege.
94. Lay on the table.
105. Previous question.
116. Limit debate.
127. Postpone definitely or to a certain time.
138. Refer or rerefer.
149. Defer.
1510. Amend an amendment.
1611. Amend.
1712. Postpone indefinitely.
18A motion to postpone definitely or to a certain
19time, to refer or commit, or to postpone indefinitely a
20particular question shall not be considered more than
21once on the same day.
22Adoption of a motion to strike the enacting words is
23equivalent to rejection of the question.
24Rule 68
25Order of Consideration of Amendments
26Amendments shall be considered by earliest position
27in the bill. Amendments to the same place in the bill
28shall be considered by the lowest amendment number. An
29amendment which inserts language after a line and an
30amendment which inserts language before the succeeding
-34-1line shall be considered amendments to the same place
2in the bill.
3However, an amendment to strike the enacting clause
4shall always be considered first. An amendment filed
5by a committee shall have the next highest order of
6priority, followed by an amendment to strike everything
7after the enacting clause and insert new language. An
8amendment to strike language or to strike and insert
9new language, except an amendment to strike everything
10after the enacting clause and insert new language,
11shall not be considered before amendments to perfect
12all or part of the same portion of the bill.
13Rule 69
14Motions Not Debatable
15The following motions are not debatable:
161. Adjourn.
172. Adjourn to a certain time.
183. Suspend house rules.
194. Previous question.
205. Close debate at a certain time.
216. Recess.
227. Defer.
238. Refer or rerefer.
249. Lay on the table.
2510. Take from the table.
2611. Call of the house.
2712. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
2813. Appeal a decision of the chair.
2914. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
30Rule 69A
-35-1Constitutional Majority
21. The following motions require a constitutional
3majority for approval:
4a. Final passage of a bill, joint resolution, or
5nullification resolution.
6b. Lay on the table.
7c. Take from the table.
8d. Suspend house rules.
9e. Previous question.
10f. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
11g. Reconsider a bill, joint resolution, or
12nullification resolution.
13h. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
142. A division must be taken on any motion which
15requires a constitutional majority.
16Rule 70
17Motion to Adjourn
18A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except
19when a member is speaking or the house is voting.
20Rule 71
21Withdrawal of Motions
22After a motion is stated by the speaker or read by
23the chief clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession
24of the house, but may be withdrawn by leave of the
25house.
26Rule 72
27Unanimous Consent
28Unanimous consent of the members may be asked for
29suspension of any rule of the house. If there is no
30objection to the request, the rule shall be considered
-36-1suspended.
2Rule 73
3Reconsideration
41. A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
5member who voted on the prevailing side of the question
6sought to be reconsidered.
72. A motion to reconsider may be made not later
8than adjournment on the legislative day following
9the legislative day of the action sought to be
10reconsidered. Where the floor manager voted on
11the prevailing side, the floor manager has the
12prior right to make the motion, until adjournment
13on the legislative day of the action sought to be
14reconsidered. A motion to reconsider a nullification
15resolution shall be acted upon not later than
16adjournment on the legislative day following
17the legislative day of the action sought to be
18reconsidered.
193. A motion to reconsider made beginning the
20fifteenth week of the first regular session, or the
21thirteenth week of the second regular session, may be
22taken up when made. A motion made at any other time
23may be taken up prior to the third legislative day
24succeeding the legislative day of the action sought
25to be reconsidered only if called up by the mover,
26and after the second legislative day succeeding the
27legislative day of the action sought to be reconsidered
28if called up by any member.
294. The making of a motion to reconsider takes
30precedence over all other questions.
-37- 15. When passage, adoption, or failure of any bill,
2joint resolution, or nullification resolution is
3reconsidered, questions on amendments may also be
4reconsidered and shall be disposed of immediately.
56. In the event that a motion to reconsider
6is pending at the end of the first session or any
7extraordinary session of any general assembly, or the
8general assembly adjourns sine die, and the motion to
9reconsider has not been voted upon by the house, the
10motion shall be determined to have failed.
11DIVISION VIII — VOTING
12Rule 74
13Manner of Voting
14Members present may cast their votes, either by
15operating the voting mechanism located at their
16assigned desk or by signaling the speaker from the
17floor of the house or from the south visitors’ gallery
18if they are unable to vote at their assigned desk.
19Only a member may operate the voting mechanism at that
20member’s assigned desk. The speaker shall announce the
21votes of members signaling their votes. Upon direction
22of the speaker only those members at their desks and
23voting shall be counted. Members who are not present
24shall not cast their votes except:
251. Members who have not voted may record their
26votes on any record roll call vote except quorum calls
27within twenty ten minutes after the outcome of the
28vote has been announced during the first session of the
29eighty-ninth general assembly and within ten minutes
30after the outcome of the vote has been announced
-38-1during the second session of the eighty-ninth general
2assembly. Members shall initial their recorded votes
3on a copy of the record roll call at the speaker’s
4station. However, if the aggregate of votes cast
5under this rule would change the outcome of the vote
6on a question, then none of the votes cast on the
7question under this rule shall be recorded. A member
8may request announcement of the names of members so
9recorded after the twenty-minute period or ten-minute
10period, as applicable.
112. Members meeting in a conference committee
12or in administrative rules review committee at the
13time a vote is taken on a question may have their
14vote recorded within thirty minutes or adjournment,
15whichever is first, of that same legislative day,
16provided the aggregate of votes cast does not change
17the outcome of the vote on a question.
18Rule 75
19Voting in the House and Duty of Voting
20Voting on a question put to members on the floor of
21the house shall not occur between midnight and 8 a.m.
22on any legislative day except for voting on a motion to
23recess, defer, or adjourn. Except as limited in Rule
2476, every member who is in the house when a question is
25put shall vote unless the house has excused that member
26from voting for special reasons; however, such member
27must have asked to be excused from voting prior to the
28time the speaker puts the question.
29Rule 76
30Limitation on Right to Vote
-39- 1No member shall vote on any question in which
2the member or the member’s immediate family member,
3as defined in chapter 68B of the Code, has a direct
4financial interest different from other similarly
5situated persons or classes of persons of the general
6public.
7Rule 77
8Call of the House
9Upon written request of five members, the presiding
10officer shall compel attendance of absent and unexcused
11members for the consideration of specified bills,
12resolutions, or amendments.
13A call of the house shall specify the propositions
14to which it is to apply and must be put into effect
15before roll call is taken on the proposition. The
16request may be filed with the chief clerk at any time
17before final action upon the propositions, who shall
18notify the house immediately.
19Rule 78
20Method of Calling the House
21Upon a call of the house, the names of the members
22shall be called by the chief clerk and the absentees
23noted, after which the names of the absentees shall
24again be called. The sergeant-at-arms shall be
25directed by the speaker to compel the attendance of
26absent members, unless they are previously excused.
27Any member occupying the member’s seat during a call
28of the house shall be counted by the speaker and that
29person’s name entered in the journal as being present
30for the purpose of making a quorum.
-40-1Rule 79
2Method of Calling the Roll
3The electrical voting machine shall be used for a
4call of the house, a quorum call or a roll call vote
5on any question. If the electrical voting machine is
6not in operating order when it is necessary to take
7a record roll call vote, the presiding officer shall
8order the vote to be taken by calling the roll in
9alphabetical order, except the name of the presiding
10officer shall be called last.
11During the casting of the vote with the voting
12machine, the individual votes and the vote totals shall
13be shown on the display boards. Before the voting
14machine is closed, the presiding officer shall inquire
15of the house, “Have you all voted?”
16Rule 80
17Quorum and Record Roll Call Votes
18A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
19A record roll call vote shall be ordered upon
20request of any two members. The names of the members
21requesting the record roll call shall be entered in the
22journal.
23Rule 81
24Previous Question
25When a member moves for the previous question, the
26member shall state whether the motion will apply to the
27main question, to all the amendments, or to particular
28amendments. The motion requires an affirmative vote of
29at least a constitutional majority of the members. If
30the motion for a previous question is not adopted, the
-41-1house shall proceed in the same manner as before the
2motion was made.
3If the motion is adopted, all debate must end and
4the house will vote upon the question except:
51. If the motion applies to the main question, the
6member in charge of the measure will have ten minutes
7to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
8the vote on the measure is taken.
92. If the motion applies to an amendment, the
10member proposing the amendment will have five minutes
11to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
12the vote on the amendment is taken.
133. If a member has filed a written request with
14the chief clerk of the house indicating the member’s
15desire to speak on a particular question. The request
16must be filed before the motion is made by the movant.
17The request allows a member to speak on a particular
18question before the closing discussion by the member
19who is in charge of the measure or who is proposing the
20amendment.
21Rule 82
22Division of the Question
23Any member may call for a division of the question,
24which shall be divided if it comprehends questions so
25distinct that one being taken away, the remainder may
26stand separately for discussion by the house. Upon
27request to divide an amendment, the chief clerk shall
28restate the division and note the divided amendment in
29the house journal. An amendment to strike out being
30lost shall not preclude an amendment to strike out and
-42-1insert. An amendment to strike out and insert shall be
2deemed indivisible.
-43-tm/jh