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House Resolution 5 - Introduced
An Act 1relating to permanent rules of the House
2of Representatives for the Eighty-seventh General
3Assembly.
4BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That
5the permanent rules of the House for the Eighty-sixth
6 Eighty-seventh General Assembly be as follows:
7DIVISION I — GENERAL RULES
8Rule 1
9Call to Order and Order of Business
10The speaker shall take the chair at the hour to
11which the house has adjourned, and shall immediately
12call the house to order, correct the journal of the
13previous day’s proceedings, and proceed to other
14business, including, but not limited to, introduction
15of bills, reports, messages, communications, business
16pending at adjournment, announcements, resolutions
17and bills on their passage, and points of personal
18privilege.
19Rule 2
20Quorum Call and Time of Convening
21The house shall convene each Monday at 1:00 p.m.
22and at 8:30 a.m.on all other legislative days, unless
23otherwise ordered. The time of convening shall be
24recorded in the journal. The house shall not convene
25on Sunday during a regular or special session.
26The speaker or a member may request a roll call to
27determine if a quorum is present.
-1-1Rule 3
2Absences from the House
3No member shall be absent without leave while the
4house is in session unless excused for good cause.
5Rule 4
6Preservation of Order
7The speaker shall preserve order and decorum and
8speak to points of order. Subject to an appeal to the
9house by any member, the speaker shall decide questions
10of order which shall not be debated.
11While recognized to speak in debate, a member
12shall not use any visual aids to explain to others the
13member’s points in the debate without leave of the
14speaker.
15The speaker may have the chamber of the house
16cleared in case of any disturbance or disorderly
17conduct.
18Only past legislators, state officials, persons
19whose presence is deemed by the speaker to be of
20special significance to the house, and school classes
21accompanied by teachers and seated in the galleries
22shall be introduced in the house.
23No person other than a member of the house shall be
24allowed to speak from the floor of the house without
25prior permission of the speaker.
26The public may take photographs from the galleries
27at any time. However, the use of flash bulbs or any
28other artificial lighting is prohibited.
29Members of the press may photograph from the press
30box, but shall not use artificial lighting without
-2-1prior permission from the chief clerk of the house.
2Photographs shall not be taken on the house floor when
3the members are voting on a question put before the
4house. Photographs or video recordings of the voting
5boards shall not be taken while a nonrecord roll call
6vote is displayed. Photographs may be taken on the
7house floor at other times with the consent of the
8subject or subjects of the photography.
9Rule 4A
10Use of Electronic Devices and Video Streaming in
11Chamber
121. A person present in the house chamber while the
13house is in order shall mute any cell phone, computer,
14or other electronic device under the person’s control.
15The speaker may remove from the chamber any person
16acting in violation of this rule.
172. A member shall not use a cell phone or other
18electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
19communications while recognized by the presiding
20officer to speak in debate.
213. The speaker shall control the time, place,
22and manner of use of the house’s internet video
23streaming system on the floor of the house and in the
24visitors’ galleries. However, the speaker shall not
25edit, censor, or shut off the house’s internet video
26streaming system during debate on the floor of the
27house.
28Rule 5
29Rules of Parliamentary Practice
30The rules of parliamentary practice in Mason’s
-3-1Manual of Legislative Procedure shall govern the house
2in all cases where they are not inconsistent with the
3standing rules of the house, joint rules of the house
4and senate, or customary practice of the house.
5Rule 5A
6House Budget
7The speaker of the house shall annually prepare a
8proposed budget for the house of representatives for
9the payment of expenses, salaries, per diems, and other
10items. The proposed budget shall be submitted on the
11fourteenth day of each legislative session to the house
12administration and rules committee, which shall approve
13a proposed budget in house resolution form. The house
14shall adopt a budget prior to adjournment.
15Rule 6
16The Speaker Pro Tempore
17The house shall, at its pleasure, elect a speaker
18pro tempore. When the speaker shall for any cause be
19absent, the speaker pro tempore shall preside, except
20when the chair is filled by appointment by either
21the speaker or the speaker pro tempore. If a vacancy
22occurs in the office of speaker, the speaker pro
23tempore shall assume the duties and responsibilities
24of the speaker until such time as the house shall elect
25a new speaker. The speaker or the speaker pro tempore
26shall have the right to name any member to perform the
27duties of speaker, but such substitution shall not
28extend beyond the adjournment. The acts of the speaker
29pro tempore shall have the same validity as those of
30the speaker. In the absence of both the speaker and
-4-1the speaker pro tempore, the house shall name a speaker
2who shall preside over it and perform all the duties of
3the speaker with the exception of signing bills, until
4such time as the speaker or speaker pro tempore shall
5be present, and the person’s acts shall have the same
6force and validity as those of the regularly elected
7speaker.
8Rule 7
9Amendment of Rules
10A motion to change or rescind a standing rule or
11order of the house requires one day’s notice.
12Rule 8
13Violation of House Rules
14The speaker shall, or any member may, call to order
15a member who violates the rules of the house. With
16leave of the house, the member called to order may be
17permitted to explain. If the case requires it, the
18member shall be subject to censure of the house.
19Rule 9
20Referral of Rule Violations
21The speaker shall, upon complaint of a member,
22or upon the speaker’s own motion, refer any alleged
23violation of house or joint rules by house members,
24employees or staff to the house ethics committee upon
25an initial finding that an investigation is warranted.
26The ethics committee shall investigate such
27allegations and report them back to the house with a
28recommendation.
29Rule 10
30Recognition and Decorum in Debate
-5- 1A member who wishes to speak in debate shall be
2appropriately attired, with male members wearing coat
3or tie. After recognition by the chair, a member
4shall respectfully address the presiding officer
5by saying “Mr.or Madam Speaker”. A member shall
6confine all remarks to the question under debate,
7shall be respectful of other members, and shall avoid
8referencing or questioning the motives of another
9member.
10Rule 11
11Limit on Debate
12No member shall speak more than once on the same
13question without leave of the speaker, nor more than
14twice until every member choosing to speak has spoken,
15except as provided in Rule 81. A member shall be
16limited to ten minutes debate on bills, resolutions,
17and amendments, but may be granted an extension of time
18by consent of the house. However, the floor manager
19of a bill or resolution and the lead sponsor of an
20amendment may exceed the ten-minute limit on opening
21and closing remarks.
22Rule 12
23Decorum During Debate
24No member shall leave the house while the speaker
25is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
26speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
27have been recognized by the speaker.
28Rule 13
29Stating the Question
30When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the
-6-1speaker. A motion made in writing shall be passed to
2the speaker’s station before it is debated.
3Rule 14
4Putting the Question
5Questions shall be distinctly put in this form:
6“All those in favor of (the question) shall say ‘aye’;”
7and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “All
8those opposed to (the question) shall say ‘no’.”
9 If the speaker is in doubt or a member of the house
10requests, a nonrecord roll call vote shall be taken.
11DIVISION II — EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
12Rule 15
13Chief Clerk of the House
14The chief clerk of the house shall serve as
15parliamentarian and chief administrative officer of the
16house under the direction of the speaker of the house.
17The chief clerk shall supervise the chief clerk’s
18office; be responsible for the custody and safekeeping
19of all bills, resolutions, and amendments filed,
20except when they are in the custody of a committee;
21have charge of the daily journal; have control of all
22rooms assigned for the use of the house; attest to the
23accuracy and correctness of text and action on bills
24and resolutions; process the handling of amendments
25when filed and during the floor consideration of bills;
26insert adopted amendments into bills before transmittal
27to the senate and prior to final enrollment; supervise
28legislative printing and the distribution of printed
29material; and perform all other duties pertaining to
30the office of the chief clerk.
-7-1Rule 16
2Legislative and Session Days
3For purposes of these rules, a legislative day is a
4day when the house is called to order. A legislative
5day that runs past midnight is not considered a new
6legislative day. A session day is any calendar day
7beginning with the convening of the annual regular
8session and ending with adjournment sine die.
9Rule 17
10Sergeant-At-Arms
11The sergeant-at-arms shall execute all orders of
12the house and the presiding officer; perform all
13assigned duties related to the policing and good order
14of the house; supervise the entrance and exit of all
15persons to and from the chamber; promptly execute all
16messages, etc.; provide that the chamber is properly
17ventilated and open for the use of the members; and
18perform all other services pertaining to the office of
19sergeant-at-arms.
20Rule 18
21Secretaries
22Each member may hire a secretary for the legislative
23session who shall be under the general direction of the
24member and the chief clerk. Secretaries shall be on
25duty at the house from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.Monday
26through Thursday and on other legislative days when
27required by the chief clerk, except when excused by the
28member for whom the secretary works. Secretaries shall
29perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
30member or the chief clerk.
-8-1Rule 19
2Extra Compensation of Employees
3No employee shall receive any extra compensation,
4except as provided by the house, or tips for services
5performed while on duty. Any violation of this rule
6shall be grounds for removal.
7DIVISION III — VISITORS AND LOBBYISTS
8Rule 20
9Admission to the House; Lobbying
10The chamber of the house shall include the
11vestibule, restrooms, bill room, lounge, visitors’
12galleries, and floor of the house.
13The floor of the house shall consist of the
14area between the north and south walls, including
15the representatives’ desks, the press box, and the
16speaker’s station, but excluding the visitors’
17galleries.
18During a legislative day while the house is in
19order, no member of the general assembly or legislative
20employee or intern shall be admitted to the floor of
21the house if attired in jeans of any color without
22leave of the speaker.
23During a legislative day while the house is in
24order, and one-half hour before the house convenes and
25one-half hour after the house recesses or adjourns,
26no person shall be admitted to the floor of the house
27except:
281. Members of the general assembly and authorized
29legislative employees in the performance of their
30duties.
-9- 12. Former members of the general assembly who are
2not registered lobbyists.
33. A general assembly member’s family.
44. Representatives of the press, radio, and
5television who shall go directly to and from the press
6box.
75. Legislative interns registered with the chief
8clerk who shall go directly to and from the seat of
9their assigned representative or to be seated in the
10perimeter seating area.
116. Designated representatives of a political party
12having members serving in the house.
137. Members of the state executive council, the
14lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
15governor’s executive assistants and administrative
16assistants, and the administrative rules coordinator,
17all of whom shall be confined to the perimeter area.
18The current status of former members of the general
19assembly shall govern their access to the floor under
20these rules.
21No other persons shall be allowed on the house floor
22while the house is in order without permission of the
23presiding officer of the house. When the house is not
24in order, guests of a member of the general assembly
25escorted by that member shall be allowed on the house
26floor.
27No person admitted to the floor of the house while
28the house is in order, except members of the general
29assembly, shall lobby or attempt to exercise any
30influence with any member for or against any matter
-10-1then pending or that may thereafter be considered by
2the house.
3A registered lobbyist shall not be admitted to
4the floor of the house on any legislative day except
5for ceremonial purposes or for attendance at public
6hearings.
7A lobbyist who represents the position of a state
8government agency, in which the person serves or is
9employed as the designated representative for purposes
10of encouraging the passage or defeat of legislation,
11shall file with the chief clerk of the house a
12statement of the general subjects of legislation in
13which the lobbyist is or may be interested, but shall
14not lobby for or against a bill, resolution, or study
15bill unless the lobbyist does so with the written
16authorization and on behalf of a statewide elected
17or retained official. The official’s writing may
18authorize the lobbyist to register and lobby for or
19against any or all bills in which the lobbyist is
20or may be interested or may restrict the lobbyist
21to register and lobby for or against only some bills
22in which the lobbyist is or may be interested. The
23written authorizations shall be filed with the chief
24clerk, according to a procedure established by the
25clerk for the filing of the authorizations and for
26making them available to the public, by the following
27statewide elected or retained official for the
28following offices, departments, agencies, and branch:
29By the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary
30of state, and treasurer of state, for their respective
-11-1offices.
2By the secretary of agriculture, for the department
3of agriculture and land stewardship.
4By the chairperson of the ethics and campaign
5disclosure board, for the executive director, legal
6counsel, and other employees of the board.
7By the governor, for all other executive branch
8offices and departments.
9By the chief justice of the supreme court, for the
10judicial branch.
11Each member, employee of the house, and registered
12lobbyist may report violations of this rule immediately
13to the sergeant-at-arms or the chief clerk.
14Any person for cause may be summarily dismissed
15from the chamber of the house, by action of the house,
16and may forfeit that person’s right to admission
17thereafter.
18Rule 20A
19Legislative Interns
20A member may appoint one or more interns who shall
21register with the chief clerk. Only one legislative
22intern per member of the house is allowed on the floor
23of the house at any one time.
24Rule 21
25Distribution of Literature and Other Items
26No person except a member or employee of the house
27of representatives shall distribute or cause to be
28distributed any pamphlets, material, or other printed
29literature, or any other items to the members’ desks
30in the house without authorization. An employee
-12-1of the house shall generally distribute or cause
2to be distributed such literature or items only on
3behalf of the employee’s office or staff. Items which
4are permissible gifts under chapter 68B of the Code
5may be distributed to the members’ desks with the
6authorization of the chief clerk.
7All copies of pamphlets, material, or printed
8literature distributed by a member or employee of the
9house of representatives shall bear the name of the
10member or employee’s office or staff.
11Other distributions of pamphlets, material, or
12other printed literature shall bear their source of
13origin and be distributed through the legislative
14post office or to the members’ desks by completing
15a form containing a member’s or the chief clerk’s
16authorization, with the authorization form filed with
17the chief clerk. The authorization form shall be
18retained for a reasonable time period by the chief
19clerk.
20Rule 22
21Distribution of Materials Printed by the State
22A member of the house shall not distribute maps,
23books, and pamphlets which have been printed by the
24state of Iowa and upon which the name of the member
25of the house has been affixed unless the member has
26purchased the materials or unless the member has
27affixed the words “Paid for by the citizens of Iowa and
28distributed by representative (member’s name).”
29DIVISION IV — FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR BILLS AND OTHER
30DOCUMENTS
-13-1Rule 23
2Documents Signed by the Speaker
3All acts and joint resolutions shall be signed by
4the speaker, and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas
5issued by order of the house, shall be signed by the
6speaker and attested by the chief clerk. The speaker
7shall cause certificates of recognition or condolence
8to be issued by the house which shall be signed by
9the speaker and the chief clerk. The chief clerk
10shall maintain a list of certificates issued including
11the name of the requesting member of the house, the
12name of the recipient, the reason for recognition or
13condolence, and the date of issuance.
14Rule 24
15Presentation of Petitions
16All petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed
17to the house shall be signed by the member and filed
18with the chief clerk. The receipt of petitions shall
19be noted in the journal and such petitions shall be
20available in the office of the chief clerk. At the
21conclusion of each general assembly, the chief clerk
22may dispose of petitions received during that general
23assembly.
24Rule 25
25Consideration of Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
26Action on a simple or concurrent resolution, except
27a memorial resolution, shall not be taken until one day
28after the resolution has been placed on the members’
29desks. After the resolution is adopted, the chief
30clerk shall have the resolution printed in the compiled
-14-1journal and shall transmit certified copies of the
2resolution as directed.
3Rule 26
4Unanimous Consent Calendar
5The speaker may, upon the request of three members,
6place on a unanimous consent calendar any house
7resolution or concurrent resolution which does not
8contain an appropriation and which has been laid over
9under Rule 25.
10If such resolution is placed on the unanimous
11consent calendar, it may be removed only upon a written
12request submitted to the speaker by a member of the
13house.
14If not removed after five legislative days, the
15chief clerk shall call up the resolution and without
16debate the speaker shall pronounce that it has passed
17by unanimous consent.
18If the resolution is removed from the unanimous
19consent calendar, the speaker may again lay the
20resolution over under Rule 25, place it on a different
21calendar, or refer the resolution to any of the
22standing committees of the house.
23Rule 26A
24Senate Bills and Resolutions
25A senate bill or resolution may be referred to a
26standing committee or passed on file.
27Rule 27
28Forms of Bills and Joint Resolutions
29Every house bill shall be introduced by one or more
30members or by any standing or specially authorized
-15-1committee of the house or the administrative rules
2review committee. All bills and joint resolutions
3introduced shall be prepared by the legislative
4services agency with title, enacting clause, text
5and explanation as directed by the chief clerk of the
6house. One copy of each bill shall be presented in a
7bill cover with the number of copies of the bill and
8the title as directed by the chief clerk.
9Rule 28
10Joint and Nullification Resolutions
11Joint resolutions shall be framed and treated as
12bills.
13A “nullification resolution” is a joint resolution
14which nullifies all of an administrative rule, or
15a severable item of an administrative rule adopted
16pursuant to chapter 17A of the Code. A nullification
17resolution shall not amend an administrative rule by
18adding language or by inserting new language in lieu of
19existing language.
20A nullification resolution may be introduced by an
21individual, a standing committee or the administrative
22rules review committee, and may be referred to a
23standing committee. A nullification resolution is
24debatable, but cannot be amended on the floor of the
25house.
26Rule 29
27Time of Introduction of Bills
28No bill or joint resolution under individual
29sponsorship, other than a nullification resolution,
30shall be read for the first time after 4:30 p.m.on
-16-1Friday of the fifth week of the first regular session
2of the general assembly unless a formal request for
3drafting the bill has been filed with the legislative
4services agency before that time.
5After adjournment of the first regular session,
6bills may be prefiled at any time before the convening
7of the second regular session. No bill or joint
8resolution under individual sponsorship, other than a
9nullification resolution, shall be read for the first
10time after 4:30 p.m.on Friday of the second week of
11the second regular session of the general assembly
12unless a formal request for drafting the bill has been
13filed with the legislative services agency before that
14time.
15However, bills or joint resolutions sponsored
16by standing committees or the administrative rules
17review committee, co-sponsored by the majority and
18minority floor leaders, or companion bills sponsored
19by the house majority leader and the senate majority
20leader may be drafted and introduced at any time
21permissible under Joint Rule 20. House, concurrent,
22and nullification resolutions may be introduced at any
23time.
24Rule 30
25Introduction and Reading of Bills
26All bills and resolutions to be introduced in the
27house shall be prepared in proper form and filed
28with the chief clerk no later than 4:30 p.m.on the
29legislative day preceding its introduction.
30Every bill shall receive two readings but no bill
-17-1shall receive its first and last readings on the same
2day.
3A “reading of a bill” as required by these rules
4shall consist of a reading of the title and enacting
5clause.
6Rule 31
7First Reading, Commitment, and Amendment
81. A bill is introduced into the house by an
9initial or “first reading of the bill”.
102. When the house is in session the first reading
11shall consist of a “reading” as provided in Rule 30.
123. Upon a first reading of the bill, the speaker
13shall state that it is ready for commitment or
14amendment; and the speaker shall commit it to the
15standing or select committee, or to a committee of the
16whole house. If to a committee of the whole house, the
17house shall determine on what day.
184. On a nonlegislative day the speaker may cause a
19statement, which shall consist of the title, enacting
20clause, bill number and committee to which the bill
21is referred, to be published in the house journal.
22This publication shall constitute a first reading and
23commitment and shall contain the notation “read and
24committed under Rule 31”.
255. All amendments offered to bills and resolutions
26shall be accompanied by such copies as the chief clerk
27shall direct.
286. Such amendments shall give the number of
29the bill sought to amend and the chief clerk shall
30designate each such amendment thus: Amendment to
-18-1House File _________, or Senate File ________, by
2___________.
37. A bill reported out by committee shall go to the
4speaker who shall direct that the bill be placed on the
5regular calendar unless it covers subject matter more
6properly within the jurisdiction of some other standing
7committee, in which case the speaker shall may refer
8the bill to the proper standing committee. In order to
9expedite important business and set a definite time for
10the bill’s consideration, the speaker may direct the
11bill to be placed on the special order calendar.
128. No amendment to the rules of the house, to any
13resolution or bill, except technical amendments and
14amendments to bills substituted for by senate files
15containing substantially identical title, language,
16subject matter, purpose and intrasectional arrangement,
17shall be considered by the membership of the house
18without a copy of the amendment having been filed with
19the chief clerk by 4:00 p.m.or within one-half hour of
20adjournment, whichever is later, on the day preceding
21floor debate on the amendment. If the house adjourns
22prior to 2:00 p.m.on Friday, the final deadline is two
23hours after adjournment. However, committee amendments
24filed pursuant to the submission of the committee
25report may be accepted after this deadline. This
26provision shall not apply to any proposal debated on
27the floor of the house after the thirteenth week of
28the first session and the twelfth week of the second
29session. No amendment or amendment to an amendment
30to a bill, rule of the house, or resolution shall be
-19-1considered by the membership of the house without
2a copy of the amendment being on the desks of the
3entire membership of the house prior to consideration.
4However, the membership of the house may consider an
5amendment or an amendment to an amendment to a bill,
6rule of the house, or resolution without a copy of the
7amendment being on the desks of the entire membership
8of the house prior to consideration if a copy of the
9amendment is made available to the entire membership of
10the house electronically.
11Rule 32
12Commitment of Appropriation and Revenue Bills
13All bills to appropriate money shall be referred to
14the appropriations committee, and all bills pertaining
15to the levy, assessment, or collection of taxes or fees
16shall be referred to the committee on ways and means.
17Rule 33
18Regular Calendar
19Bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
20resolutions reported out for passage, amendment and
21passage, or without recommendation by a committee,
22or passed on file shall be arranged on a regular
23calendar by the chief clerk each day and electronically
24distributed to the members at the opening of each
25legislative day. The regular calendar shall include
26a list of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
27resolutions which have been special ordered, including
28the date upon which debate is scheduled to begin
29on each of them, which shall be no sooner than five
30session days from the first date of publication on the
-20-1regular calendar.
2Rule 34
3Daily Debate Calendar
4The majority floor leadership shall cause to
5be prepared and distributed to the members at the
6opening of each legislative day when floor action is
7scheduled, a daily debate calendar consisting of bills,
8nullification resolutions, and joint resolutions from
9the regular calendar setting forth the number and
10title of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
11resolutions for the next legislative day that floor
12action is scheduled.
13This rule does not apply to bills which have passed
14both houses in different forms, reconsiderations, or
15veto reconsiderations.
16Rule 35
17Substitution of Bills
18A senate bill or resolution may be substituted
19for an identical house bill or resolution which has
20been called up for debate. An amendment to a senate
21bill or resolution which has been substituted for an
22identical house bill or resolution is out of order if
23an identical amendment to the house bill or resolution
24was considered.
25Rule 36
26Consideration of Committee Amendments
27After a bill has been referred and reported back,
28it shall be considered on its first reading after the
29amendments of the committee have been read.
30Rule 37
-21-1Amendments to Special Order Bills
2All amendments to bills which have been special
3ordered shall be filed at least three session days
4prior to the date set for debate. Amendments to an
5amendment shall be filed at least two session days
6prior to the date set for debate. However, corrective
7amendments and amendments sponsored by either the
8majority floor leader or the minority floor leader may
9be filed at any time. Rule 31, subsection 8, shall not
10apply to these amendments.
11A corrective amendment is an amendment which does
12not substantively change the amendment or the bill.
13Rule 38
14Germane Amendments
15An amendment must be germane to the subject matter
16of the bill it seeks to amend. An amendment to an
17amendment must be germane to both the amendment and the
18bill it seeks to amend. When a member objects to an
19amendment on grounds that the amendment is not germane,
20the speaker may invite members, who shall include the
21majority and minority leaders, to the speaker’s station
22to discuss the objection.
23Rule 39
24Consideration of Bills
25Bills, including committee bills, joint resolutions,
26and nullification resolutions, reported out for
27passage, for amendment and passage, or without
28recommendation by the committee, are first eligible to
29be acted upon beginning the third legislative day they
30appear on the regular calendar.
-22- 1Committee reports shall be printed in the journal
2immediately after they are filed with the chief clerk.
3Reports recommending bills, joint resolutions, and
4nullification resolutions for passage, for amendment
5and passage, or without recommendation shall stand
6approved unless written objections are filed during
7the first legislative day following their printing in
8the journal. If objections are filed, they shall be
9disposed of as soon as possible.
10Rule 40
11Consideration of Bills Upon Last Reading
12No amendment, unless by way of correcting an error
13or omission, shall be received to any bill on its last
14reading, and no debate shall be allowed on it.
15Rule 41
16Printing of Bills and Joint Resolutions
17Bills and joint resolutions shall be printed in form
18as provided by law and by rule. Each house may direct
19the printing of an additional number of its own bills.
20Legalizing bills of a local or private nature shall
21be printed in bill form and placed in the files of the
22members, the same as other bills, in the order of their
23introduction. The cost of printing shall be deposited
24with the treasurer of state in advance at a rate to be
25fixed, and the newspaper publication of the bill shall
26be without cost to the state. No legalizing act may
27be introduced until all provisions of law have been
28complied with.
29Rule 42
30Certification and Engrossment of Bills
-23- 1The chief clerk shall certify the passage of each
2bill and note the date of its passage.
3In engrossing a bill, the chief clerk shall
4correct all obvious typographical, spelling, or other
5clerical errors and change section subunit numbers
6and letters and internal references as required to
7conform the original bill to any amendments which have
8been adopted. The chief clerk shall report all such
9corrections or changes in the journal. The engrossed
10bill shall be placed in the bill file with the original
11bill and amendments.
12Rule 43
13Rereferral
14A bill may be rereferred by the speaker or, upon
15motion, by the house at any time before its passage and
16after the report of its referral to committee.
17Rule 44
18Effect of Indefinite Postponement
19When a question is indefinitely postponed, it shall
20not be acted upon again during that session.
21Rule 45
22Status of Bills Following First Regular Session
23Except for those bills which have been adopted by
24both houses in different forms, all bills which have
25not been withdrawn, defeated or indefinitely postponed,
26shall be rereferred to committee upon adjournment of
27the first regular session. Within seven days after
28the first committee meeting following convening of
29the second regular session, the committee chair shall
30submit the bill to the full committee for action or the
-24-1chair shall reassign the bill to a subcommittee.
2DIVISION V — COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
3Rule 46
4Appointment of Committees
5All committees shall be appointed by the speaker,
6unless otherwise especially directed by the house.
7Minority party members of a committee shall be
8appointed by the speaker upon recommendation of the
9minority leader.
10Rule 47
11Reserved
12Rule 48
13Study Bills
14A study bill is any matter which a member of
15the house wishes to have considered by a standing
16committee, other than appropriations, without being
17introduced in the house by a first reading. A
18study bill shall be prepared in proper form by the
19legislative services agency prior to submission.
20Upon taking possession of a study bill, the
21committee chair shall notify the speaker and then
22submit four copies of the bill to the legal counsel’s
23office for numbering.
24A study bill shall bear the name of the member who
25wishes to have the bill considered. A study bill
26submitted by a state agency or board for consideration
27shall bear the name of the state agency or board. A
28committee chair may submit a study bill in the name of
29that committee.
30Final committee action on a study bill shall not be
-25-1taken until one day following the notation of the study
2bill assignment in the house journal.
3Rule 49
4Committee Meetings
5No committee, except a conference committee or the
6administrative rules review committee, shall meet
7while the house is in session without special leave.
8Committees with overlapping memberships shall not meet
9at the same time without special leave.
10Rule 50
11Smoking Prohibited
12Smoking shall not be permitted in the house or in
13any area of the capitol building.
14Rule 51
15Assignments to Subcommittee
16The chair of the committee shall report to the house
17the bill number of each bill assigned to subcommittee
18and the names of the subcommittee members. The report
19shall be printed in the journal.
20All bills, prior to consideration by the committee,
21shall be referred by the chair to a subcommittee,
22unless acted upon by a committee of the whole.
23The chair may assign bills to subcommittees without
24a meeting of the committee, but the membership of the
25subcommittee so appointed shall be reported at the next
26meeting of the committee.
27Rule 52
28Open Meetings
29Standing committee meetings shall be open, and
30voting by secret ballot is prohibited. The committee
-26-1on administration and rules may close its meetings to
2evaluate the professional competency of an individual.
3Rule 53
4Quorum and Vote Requirements
5The committee roll shall be taken at the convening
6of each meeting to determine the presence of a quorum.
7A majority of the committee membership shall constitute
8a quorum.
9An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee
10membership is required to report a bill out of
11committee or to suspend a committee rule.
12A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
13committee member who voted on the prevailing side of
14the question sought to be reconsidered. A motion to
15reconsider may only be made prior to the adjournment of
16the committee meeting at which the bill was reported
17out.
18If a member, who is in the committee room when a
19question to report a bill out of committee is put, has
20not asked to be excused prior to commencing to take
21the vote on the question, the member shall vote aye
22or nay unless the committee has excused the member for
23special reasons. However, a member may pass on the
24first taking of the roll call on the question but shall
25vote aye or nay when the member’s name is called for a
26second time.
27Rule 54
28Committee Attendance Record and Report of Committee
29Form
301. A committee attendance record shall be filed
-27-1with the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two
2hours after the house convenes, whichever is later,
3of the legislative day immediately following the day
4of the committee meeting. The committee attendance
5record is a public record and may be published in the
6journal. The committee attendance record shall include
7the following information:
8a. The time the meeting convened.
9b. The members present at the meeting.
10c. The time the meeting adjourned.
11d. A list of bills receiving final committee
12disposition.
132. A report of committee form shall be filed with
14the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two hours
15after the house convenes, whichever is later, of the
16legislative day immediately following the day of the
17committee meeting for each study bill, numbered bill
18or resolution receiving final committee disposition.
19The report of committee form is a public record and
20a report of committee action shall be printed in the
21journal. The report of committee form shall include
22the following information:
23a. The committee action taken.
24b. The committee amendment number, if any.
25c. The roll call vote of the committee on final
26disposition.
27d. The minority recommendation, if any.
283. Upon final adjournment of the first session
29and final adjournment of the second session of the
30general assembly, the chair of each committee shall
-28-1have placed the committee’s book of record containing
2minutes, record roll calls on final disposition, record
3roll call votes on any amendments considered, rules,
4etc., with the chief clerk for access of any interested
5person.
6Rule 55
7Minority Recommendation
8The minority of the members of a committee may
9present its recommendations on the final disposition
10of a bill to the house by attaching its recommendation
11to the committee report. The minority recommendation
12shall be noted in the journal along with the committee
13report.
14Rule 56
15Committee Amendment
16Whenever a committee amendment is proposed which
17would amend another committee amendment, the amendment
18shall be drafted in the form of a substitute amendment
19and shall be considered as such.
20Rule 57
21Committee Notice and Agenda
22Each committee shall prepare and publish a notice
23and agenda of each committee meeting at least one
24legislative day prior to the meeting. The notice and
25agenda may be placed on the desks of or transmitted
26electronically to committee members.
27The notice shall contain the committee name, the
28date, time, and location of the meeting.
29The agenda shall contain the matters to be
30discussed, including a list of bills, joint
-29-1resolutions, nullification resolutions, and study
2bills by number. The agenda should contain the names
3of individuals who are scheduled to appear before the
4committee and the organization which they represent.
5A bill, joint resolution, nullification resolution,
6or study bill shall not be reported out of committee if
7the bill was not included in the published notice and
8agenda unless this rule is suspended by a majority of
9the total membership of the committee.
10A committee chair may call a meeting without
11providing the required notice and agenda upon leave
12of the house if a notice is either electronically
13transmitted to committee members or placed on the desks
14of committee members.
15Rule 58
16Clearing of Committee Room
17The chair of a committee may clear the committee
18room in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct.
19Rule 58A
20Use of Telephonic or Electronic Devices in Committee
21Rooms Restricted
221. In any committee room while a standing committee
23is in session:
24a. A person shall mute any cell phone, computer, or
25other electronic device under the person’s control.
26b. A person shall not use a cell phone or other
27electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
28communications.
292. The chair or acting chair of a standing
30committee may clear the committee room of any person
-30-1acting in violation of this rule.
2Rule 59
3Committee Amendments
4All amendments to a bill or resolution adopted in
5committee shall be incorporated in a single committee
6amendment or incorporated in a new committee bill.
7Rule 60
8Withdrawal of Bills, Joint Resolutions, or
9Nullification Resolutions From Committee
10A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
11resolution which has been in committee for eighteen
12legislative days following notation of such referral
13in the journal may be withdrawn from the committee and
14placed on the calendar by an affirmative vote of not
15less than fifty-one members of the house.
16Rule 61
17Committee Public Hearings
18The chair of a committee may call a public hearing
19for the purpose of receiving public comment on any
20matter within the purview of the committee.
21The chair shall call a public hearing upon the
22written request of committee members according to
23committee rules, but no more than one-third of the
24committee members shall be required.
25A public hearing shall not be called or requested
26after final action on the bill, joint resolution,
27or nullification resolution has been taken by the
28committee. However, a public hearing called or
29requested before final action has been taken by the
30committee may be held after final action on the bill,
-31-1joint resolution, or nullification resolution has been
2taken by the committee.
3The chair shall designate a time and place for a
4public hearing and provide public notice at least five
5days prior to a public hearing.
6A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
7resolution for which a public hearing has been called
8can be voted to the calendar but cannot be debated
9until after the public hearing has been held. If a
10bill, joint resolution, or nullification resolution
11for which a public hearing has been called is not
12debated by the house during the session in which it
13is introduced, the request for the public hearing is
14deemed to have lapsed upon adjournment sine die of that
15session.
16However, public hearings which have been requested
17during or after the 9th week of the first session and
18during or after the 7th week of the second session must
19be held within four legislative days of the date of the
20request.
21Rule 62
22Limitation on Filing of Claims
23All claims shall be referred to the appropriations
24committee. A claim referred to the appropriations
25committee in a prior session of the general assembly
26shall not be considered by the appropriations
27committee or by the house unless it has been
28specifically referred to this session by a vote of the
29appropriations committee. The appropriations committee
30is authorized to set a definite date each session after
-32-1which it will not receive claims or claim bills for
2consideration.
3DIVISION VI — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
4Rule 63
5Organization of Committee of the Whole
6In forming the committee of the whole house, the
7speaker shall appoint a member to preside in committee
8and then leave the chair.
9Rule 64
10Rules in Committee of the Whole
11The rules of the house shall be observed in
12committee of the whole house, so far as they are
13applicable.
14Rule 65
15Bills in Committee of the Whole
16Bills committed to the committee of the whole house
17shall first be debated by section. After the report
18of the committee of the whole, the bill shall again be
19subject to debate and amendment before a vote is had on
20its last reading and passage.
21Rule 66
22Amendments by Committee of the Whole
23All amendments made to a report committed to a
24committee of the whole house shall be noted and
25reported as in the case of bills.
26DIVISION VII — MOTIONS
27Rule 67
28Order and Precedence of Motions
29The following order of motions, listed in order
30of precedence, shall govern when a question is under
-33-1debate:
21. Adjourn.
32. Recess.
43. Questions of privilege.
54. Lay on the table.
65. Previous question.
76. Limit debate.
87. Postpone definitely or to a certain time.
98. Refer or rerefer.
109. Defer.
1110. Amend an amendment.
1211. Amend.
1312. Postpone indefinitely.
14A motion to postpone definitely or to a certain
15time, to refer or commit, or to postpone indefinitely a
16particular question shall not be considered more than
17once on the same day.
18Adoption of a motion to strike the enacting words is
19equivalent to rejection of the question.
20Rule 68
21Order of Consideration of Amendments
22Amendments shall be considered by earliest position
23in the bill. Amendments to the same place in the bill
24shall be considered by the lowest amendment number. An
25amendment which inserts language after a line and an
26amendment which inserts language before the succeeding
27line shall be considered amendments to the same place
28in the bill.
29However, an amendment to strike the enacting clause
30shall always be considered first. An amendment filed
-34-1by a committee shall have the next highest order of
2priority, followed by an amendment to strike everything
3after the enacting clause and insert new language. An
4amendment to strike language or to strike and insert
5new language, except an amendment to strike everything
6after the enacting clause and insert new language,
7shall not be considered before amendments to perfect
8all or part of the same portion of the bill.
9Rule 69
10Motions Not Debatable
11The following motions are not debatable:
121. Adjourn.
132. Adjourn to a certain time.
143. Suspend house rules.
154. Previous question.
165. Close debate at a certain time.
176. Recess.
187. Defer.
198. Refer or rerefer.
209. Lay on the table.
2110. Take from the table.
2211. Call of the house.
2312. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
2413. Appeal a decision of the chair.
2514. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
26Rule 69A
27Constitutional Majority
281. The following motions require a constitutional
29majority for approval:
30a. Final passage of a bill, joint resolution, or
-35-1nullification resolution.
2b. Lay on the table.
3c. Take from the table.
4d. Suspend house rules.
5e. Previous question.
6f. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
7g. Reconsider a bill, joint resolution, or
8nullification resolution.
9h. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
102. A division must be taken on any motion which
11requires a constitutional majority.
12Rule 70
13Motion to Adjourn
14A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except
15when a member is speaking or the house is voting.
16Rule 71
17Withdrawal of Motions
18After a motion is stated by the speaker or read by
19the chief clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession
20of the house, but may be withdrawn by leave of the
21house.
22Rule 72
23Unanimous Consent
24Unanimous consent of the members may be asked for
25suspension of any rule of the house. If there is no
26objection to the request, the rule shall be considered
27suspended.
28Rule 73
29Reconsideration
301. A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
-36-1member who voted on the prevailing side of the question
2sought to be reconsidered.
32. A motion to reconsider may be made not later
4than adjournment on the legislative day following
5the legislative day of the action sought to be
6reconsidered. Where the floor manager voted on
7the prevailing side, the floor manager has the
8prior right to make the motion, until adjournment
9on the legislative day of the action sought to be
10reconsidered. A motion to reconsider a nullification
11resolution shall be acted upon not later than
12adjournment on the legislative day following
13the legislative day of the action sought to be
14reconsidered.
153. A motion to reconsider made beginning the
16fifteenth week of the first regular session, or the
17thirteenth week of the second regular session, may be
18taken up when made. A motion made at any other time
19may be taken up prior to the third legislative day
20succeeding the legislative day of the action sought
21to be reconsidered only if called up by the mover,
22and after the second legislative day succeeding the
23legislative day of the action sought to be reconsidered
24if called up by any member.
254. The making of a motion to reconsider takes
26precedence over all other questions.
275. When passage, adoption, or failure of any bill,
28joint resolution, or nullification resolution is
29reconsidered, questions on amendments may also be
30reconsidered and shall be disposed of immediately.
-37- 16. In the event that a motion to reconsider
2is pending at the end of the first session or any
3extraordinary session of any general assembly, or the
4general assembly adjourns sine die, and the motion to
5reconsider has not been voted upon by the house, the
6motion shall be determined to have failed.
7DIVISION VIII — VOTING
8Rule 74
9Manner of Voting
10Members present may cast their votes, either by
11operating the voting mechanism located at their
12assigned desk or by signaling the speaker from the
13floor of the house or from the south visitors’ gallery
14if they are unable to vote at their assigned desk.
15Only a member may operate the voting mechanism at that
16member’s assigned desk. The speaker shall announce the
17votes of members signaling their votes. Upon direction
18of the speaker only those members at their desks and
19voting shall be counted. Members who are not present
20shall not cast their votes except:
211. Members who have not voted may record their
22votes on any record roll call vote except quorum
23calls within ten minutes after the outcome of the
24vote has been announced. Members shall initial their
25recorded votes on a copy of the record roll call at the
26speaker’s station. However, if the aggregate of votes
27cast under this rule would change the outcome of the
28vote on a question, then none of the votes cast on the
29question under this rule shall be recorded. A member
30may request announcement of the names of members so
-38-1recorded after the ten-minute period.
22. Members meeting in a conference committee
3or in administrative rules review committee at the
4time a vote is taken on a question may have their
5vote recorded within thirty minutes or adjournment,
6whichever is first, of that same legislative day,
7provided the aggregate of votes cast does not change
8the outcome of the vote on a question.
9Rule 75
10Voting in the House and Duty of Voting
11Voting on a question put to members on the floor of
12the house shall not occur between midnight and 8 a.m.
13on any legislative day except for voting on a motion to
14recess, defer, or adjourn. Except as limited in Rule
1576, every member who is in the house when a question is
16put shall vote unless the house has excused that member
17from voting for special reasons; however, such member
18must have asked to be excused from voting prior to the
19time the speaker puts the question.
20Rule 76
21Limitation on Right to Vote
22No member shall vote on any question in which
23the member or the member’s immediate family member,
24as defined in chapter 68B of the Code, has a direct
25financial interest different from other similarly
26situated persons or classes of persons of the general
27public.
28Rule 77
29Call of the House
30Upon written request of five members, the presiding
-39-1officer shall compel attendance of absent and unexcused
2members for the consideration of specified bills,
3resolutions, or amendments.
4A call of the house shall specify the propositions
5to which it is to apply and must be put into effect
6before roll call is taken on the proposition. The
7request may be filed with the chief clerk at any time
8before final action upon the propositions, who shall
9notify the house immediately.
10Rule 78
11Method of Calling the House
12Upon a call of the house, the names of the members
13shall be called by the chief clerk and the absentees
14noted, after which the names of the absentees shall
15again be called. The sergeant-at-arms shall be
16directed by the speaker to compel the attendance of
17absent members, unless they are previously excused.
18Any member occupying the member’s seat during a call
19of the house shall be counted by the speaker and that
20person’s name entered in the journal as being present
21for the purpose of making a quorum.
22Rule 79
23Method of Calling the Roll
24The electrical voting machine shall be used for a
25call of the house, a quorum call or a roll call vote
26on any question. If the electrical voting machine is
27not in operating order when it is necessary to take
28a record roll call vote, the presiding officer shall
29order the vote to be taken by calling the roll in
30alphabetical order, except the name of the presiding
-40-1officer shall be called last.
2During the casting of the vote with the voting
3machine, the individual votes and the vote totals shall
4be shown on the display boards. Before the voting
5machine is closed, the presiding officer shall inquire
6of the house, “Have you all voted?”
7Rule 80
8Quorum and Record Roll Call Votes
9A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
10A record roll call vote shall be ordered upon
11request of any two members. The names of the members
12requesting the record roll call shall be entered in the
13journal.
14Rule 81
15Previous Question
16When a member moves for the previous question, the
17member shall state whether the motion will apply to the
18main question, to all the amendments, or to particular
19amendments. The motion requires an affirmative vote of
20at least a constitutional majority of the members. If
21the motion for a previous question is not adopted, the
22house shall proceed in the same manner as before the
23motion was made.
24If the motion is adopted, all debate must end and
25the house will vote upon the question except:
261. If the motion applies to the main question, the
27member in charge of the measure will have ten minutes
28to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
29the vote on the measure is taken.
302. If the motion applies to an amendment, the
-41-1member proposing the amendment will have five minutes
2to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
3the vote on the amendment is taken.
43. If a member has filed a written request with
5the chief clerk of the house indicating the member’s
6desire to speak on a particular question. The request
7must be filed before the motion is made by the movant.
8The request allows a member to speak on a particular
9question before the closing discussion by the member
10who is in charge of the measure or who is proposing the
11amendment.
12Rule 82
13Division of the Question
14Any member may call for a division of the question,
15which shall be divided if it comprehends questions so
16distinct that one being taken away, the remainder may
17stand separately for discussion by the house. Upon
18request to divide an amendment, the chief clerk shall
19restate the division and note the divided amendment in
20the house journal. An amendment to strike out being
21lost shall not preclude an amendment to strike out and
22insert. An amendment to strike out and insert shall be
23deemed indivisible.
-42-rj/nh
An Act 1relating to permanent rules of the House
2of Representatives for the Eighty-seventh General
3Assembly.
4BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That
5the permanent rules of the House for the Eighty-sixth
6 Eighty-seventh General Assembly be as follows:
7DIVISION I — GENERAL RULES
8Rule 1
9Call to Order and Order of Business
10The speaker shall take the chair at the hour to
11which the house has adjourned, and shall immediately
12call the house to order, correct the journal of the
13previous day’s proceedings, and proceed to other
14business, including, but not limited to, introduction
15of bills, reports, messages, communications, business
16pending at adjournment, announcements, resolutions
17and bills on their passage, and points of personal
18privilege.
19Rule 2
20Quorum Call and Time of Convening
21The house shall convene each Monday at 1:00 p.m.
22and at 8:30 a.m.on all other legislative days, unless
23otherwise ordered. The time of convening shall be
24recorded in the journal. The house shall not convene
25on Sunday during a regular or special session.
26The speaker or a member may request a roll call to
27determine if a quorum is present.
-1-1Rule 3
2Absences from the House
3No member shall be absent without leave while the
4house is in session unless excused for good cause.
5Rule 4
6Preservation of Order
7The speaker shall preserve order and decorum and
8speak to points of order. Subject to an appeal to the
9house by any member, the speaker shall decide questions
10of order which shall not be debated.
11While recognized to speak in debate, a member
12shall not use any visual aids to explain to others the
13member’s points in the debate without leave of the
14speaker.
15The speaker may have the chamber of the house
16cleared in case of any disturbance or disorderly
17conduct.
18Only past legislators, state officials, persons
19whose presence is deemed by the speaker to be of
20special significance to the house, and school classes
21accompanied by teachers and seated in the galleries
22shall be introduced in the house.
23No person other than a member of the house shall be
24allowed to speak from the floor of the house without
25prior permission of the speaker.
26The public may take photographs from the galleries
27at any time. However, the use of flash bulbs or any
28other artificial lighting is prohibited.
29Members of the press may photograph from the press
30box, but shall not use artificial lighting without
-2-1prior permission from the chief clerk of the house.
2Photographs shall not be taken on the house floor when
3the members are voting on a question put before the
4house. Photographs or video recordings of the voting
5boards shall not be taken while a nonrecord roll call
6vote is displayed. Photographs may be taken on the
7house floor at other times with the consent of the
8subject or subjects of the photography.
9Rule 4A
10Use of Electronic Devices and Video Streaming in
11Chamber
121. A person present in the house chamber while the
13house is in order shall mute any cell phone, computer,
14or other electronic device under the person’s control.
15The speaker may remove from the chamber any person
16acting in violation of this rule.
172. A member shall not use a cell phone or other
18electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
19communications while recognized by the presiding
20officer to speak in debate.
213. The speaker shall control the time, place,
22and manner of use of the house’s internet video
23streaming system on the floor of the house and in the
24visitors’ galleries. However, the speaker shall not
25edit, censor, or shut off the house’s internet video
26streaming system during debate on the floor of the
27house.
28Rule 5
29Rules of Parliamentary Practice
30The rules of parliamentary practice in Mason’s
-3-1Manual of Legislative Procedure shall govern the house
2in all cases where they are not inconsistent with the
3standing rules of the house, joint rules of the house
4and senate, or customary practice of the house.
5Rule 5A
6House Budget
7The speaker of the house shall annually prepare a
8proposed budget for the house of representatives for
9the payment of expenses, salaries, per diems, and other
10items. The proposed budget shall be submitted on the
11fourteenth day of each legislative session to the house
12administration and rules committee, which shall approve
13a proposed budget in house resolution form. The house
14shall adopt a budget prior to adjournment.
15Rule 6
16The Speaker Pro Tempore
17The house shall, at its pleasure, elect a speaker
18pro tempore. When the speaker shall for any cause be
19absent, the speaker pro tempore shall preside, except
20when the chair is filled by appointment by either
21the speaker or the speaker pro tempore. If a vacancy
22occurs in the office of speaker, the speaker pro
23tempore shall assume the duties and responsibilities
24of the speaker until such time as the house shall elect
25a new speaker. The speaker or the speaker pro tempore
26shall have the right to name any member to perform the
27duties of speaker, but such substitution shall not
28extend beyond the adjournment. The acts of the speaker
29pro tempore shall have the same validity as those of
30the speaker. In the absence of both the speaker and
-4-1the speaker pro tempore, the house shall name a speaker
2who shall preside over it and perform all the duties of
3the speaker with the exception of signing bills, until
4such time as the speaker or speaker pro tempore shall
5be present, and the person’s acts shall have the same
6force and validity as those of the regularly elected
7speaker.
8Rule 7
9Amendment of Rules
10A motion to change or rescind a standing rule or
11order of the house requires one day’s notice.
12Rule 8
13Violation of House Rules
14The speaker shall, or any member may, call to order
15a member who violates the rules of the house. With
16leave of the house, the member called to order may be
17permitted to explain. If the case requires it, the
18member shall be subject to censure of the house.
19Rule 9
20Referral of Rule Violations
21The speaker shall, upon complaint of a member,
22or upon the speaker’s own motion, refer any alleged
23violation of house or joint rules by house members,
24employees or staff to the house ethics committee upon
25an initial finding that an investigation is warranted.
26The ethics committee shall investigate such
27allegations and report them back to the house with a
28recommendation.
29Rule 10
30Recognition and Decorum in Debate
-5- 1A member who wishes to speak in debate shall be
2appropriately attired, with male members wearing coat
3or tie. After recognition by the chair, a member
4shall respectfully address the presiding officer
5by saying “Mr.or Madam Speaker”. A member shall
6confine all remarks to the question under debate,
7shall be respectful of other members, and shall avoid
8referencing or questioning the motives of another
9member.
10Rule 11
11Limit on Debate
12No member shall speak more than once on the same
13question without leave of the speaker, nor more than
14twice until every member choosing to speak has spoken,
15except as provided in Rule 81. A member shall be
16limited to ten minutes debate on bills, resolutions,
17and amendments, but may be granted an extension of time
18by consent of the house. However, the floor manager
19of a bill or resolution and the lead sponsor of an
20amendment may exceed the ten-minute limit on opening
21and closing remarks.
22Rule 12
23Decorum During Debate
24No member shall leave the house while the speaker
25is putting a question. No one shall pass between the
26speaker and a member who is speaking or two members who
27have been recognized by the speaker.
28Rule 13
29Stating the Question
30When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the
-6-1speaker. A motion made in writing shall be passed to
2the speaker’s station before it is debated.
3Rule 14
4Putting the Question
5Questions shall be distinctly put in this form:
6“All those in favor of (the question) shall say ‘aye’;”
7and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “All
8those opposed to (the question) shall say ‘no’.”
9 If the speaker is in doubt or a member of the house
10requests, a nonrecord roll call vote shall be taken.
11DIVISION II — EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
12Rule 15
13Chief Clerk of the House
14The chief clerk of the house shall serve as
15parliamentarian and chief administrative officer of the
16house under the direction of the speaker of the house.
17The chief clerk shall supervise the chief clerk’s
18office; be responsible for the custody and safekeeping
19of all bills, resolutions, and amendments filed,
20except when they are in the custody of a committee;
21have charge of the daily journal; have control of all
22rooms assigned for the use of the house; attest to the
23accuracy and correctness of text and action on bills
24and resolutions; process the handling of amendments
25when filed and during the floor consideration of bills;
26insert adopted amendments into bills before transmittal
27to the senate and prior to final enrollment; supervise
28legislative printing and the distribution of printed
29material; and perform all other duties pertaining to
30the office of the chief clerk.
-7-1Rule 16
2Legislative and Session Days
3For purposes of these rules, a legislative day is a
4day when the house is called to order. A legislative
5day that runs past midnight is not considered a new
6legislative day. A session day is any calendar day
7beginning with the convening of the annual regular
8session and ending with adjournment sine die.
9Rule 17
10Sergeant-At-Arms
11The sergeant-at-arms shall execute all orders of
12the house and the presiding officer; perform all
13assigned duties related to the policing and good order
14of the house; supervise the entrance and exit of all
15persons to and from the chamber; promptly execute all
16messages, etc.; provide that the chamber is properly
17ventilated and open for the use of the members; and
18perform all other services pertaining to the office of
19sergeant-at-arms.
20Rule 18
21Secretaries
22Each member may hire a secretary for the legislative
23session who shall be under the general direction of the
24member and the chief clerk. Secretaries shall be on
25duty at the house from 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.Monday
26through Thursday and on other legislative days when
27required by the chief clerk, except when excused by the
28member for whom the secretary works. Secretaries shall
29perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
30member or the chief clerk.
-8-1Rule 19
2Extra Compensation of Employees
3No employee shall receive any extra compensation,
4except as provided by the house, or tips for services
5performed while on duty. Any violation of this rule
6shall be grounds for removal.
7DIVISION III — VISITORS AND LOBBYISTS
8Rule 20
9Admission to the House; Lobbying
10The chamber of the house shall include the
11vestibule, restrooms, bill room, lounge, visitors’
12galleries, and floor of the house.
13The floor of the house shall consist of the
14area between the north and south walls, including
15the representatives’ desks, the press box, and the
16speaker’s station, but excluding the visitors’
17galleries.
18During a legislative day while the house is in
19order, no member of the general assembly or legislative
20employee or intern shall be admitted to the floor of
21the house if attired in jeans of any color without
22leave of the speaker.
23During a legislative day while the house is in
24order, and one-half hour before the house convenes and
25one-half hour after the house recesses or adjourns,
26no person shall be admitted to the floor of the house
27except:
281. Members of the general assembly and authorized
29legislative employees in the performance of their
30duties.
-9- 12. Former members of the general assembly who are
2not registered lobbyists.
33. A general assembly member’s family.
44. Representatives of the press, radio, and
5television who shall go directly to and from the press
6box.
75. Legislative interns registered with the chief
8clerk who shall go directly to and from the seat of
9their assigned representative or to be seated in the
10perimeter seating area.
116. Designated representatives of a political party
12having members serving in the house.
137. Members of the state executive council, the
14lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
15governor’s executive assistants and administrative
16assistants, and the administrative rules coordinator,
17all of whom shall be confined to the perimeter area.
18The current status of former members of the general
19assembly shall govern their access to the floor under
20these rules.
21No other persons shall be allowed on the house floor
22while the house is in order without permission of the
23presiding officer of the house. When the house is not
24in order, guests of a member of the general assembly
25escorted by that member shall be allowed on the house
26floor.
27No person admitted to the floor of the house while
28the house is in order, except members of the general
29assembly, shall lobby or attempt to exercise any
30influence with any member for or against any matter
-10-1then pending or that may thereafter be considered by
2the house.
3A registered lobbyist shall not be admitted to
4the floor of the house on any legislative day except
5for ceremonial purposes or for attendance at public
6hearings.
7A lobbyist who represents the position of a state
8government agency, in which the person serves or is
9employed as the designated representative for purposes
10of encouraging the passage or defeat of legislation,
11shall file with the chief clerk of the house a
12statement of the general subjects of legislation in
13which the lobbyist is or may be interested, but shall
14not lobby for or against a bill, resolution, or study
15bill unless the lobbyist does so with the written
16authorization and on behalf of a statewide elected
17or retained official. The official’s writing may
18authorize the lobbyist to register and lobby for or
19against any or all bills in which the lobbyist is
20or may be interested or may restrict the lobbyist
21to register and lobby for or against only some bills
22in which the lobbyist is or may be interested. The
23written authorizations shall be filed with the chief
24clerk, according to a procedure established by the
25clerk for the filing of the authorizations and for
26making them available to the public, by the following
27statewide elected or retained official for the
28following offices, departments, agencies, and branch:
29By the attorney general, auditor of state, secretary
30of state, and treasurer of state, for their respective
-11-1offices.
2By the secretary of agriculture, for the department
3of agriculture and land stewardship.
4By the chairperson of the ethics and campaign
5disclosure board, for the executive director, legal
6counsel, and other employees of the board.
7By the governor, for all other executive branch
8offices and departments.
9By the chief justice of the supreme court, for the
10judicial branch.
11Each member, employee of the house, and registered
12lobbyist may report violations of this rule immediately
13to the sergeant-at-arms or the chief clerk.
14Any person for cause may be summarily dismissed
15from the chamber of the house, by action of the house,
16and may forfeit that person’s right to admission
17thereafter.
18Rule 20A
19Legislative Interns
20A member may appoint one or more interns who shall
21register with the chief clerk. Only one legislative
22intern per member of the house is allowed on the floor
23of the house at any one time.
24Rule 21
25Distribution of Literature and Other Items
26No person except a member or employee of the house
27of representatives shall distribute or cause to be
28distributed any pamphlets, material, or other printed
29literature, or any other items to the members’ desks
30in the house without authorization. An employee
-12-1of the house shall generally distribute or cause
2to be distributed such literature or items only on
3behalf of the employee’s office or staff. Items which
4are permissible gifts under chapter 68B of the Code
5may be distributed to the members’ desks with the
6authorization of the chief clerk.
7All copies of pamphlets, material, or printed
8literature distributed by a member or employee of the
9house of representatives shall bear the name of the
10member or employee’s office or staff.
11Other distributions of pamphlets, material, or
12other printed literature shall bear their source of
13origin and be distributed through the legislative
14post office or to the members’ desks by completing
15a form containing a member’s or the chief clerk’s
16authorization, with the authorization form filed with
17the chief clerk. The authorization form shall be
18retained for a reasonable time period by the chief
19clerk.
20Rule 22
21Distribution of Materials Printed by the State
22A member of the house shall not distribute maps,
23books, and pamphlets which have been printed by the
24state of Iowa and upon which the name of the member
25of the house has been affixed unless the member has
26purchased the materials or unless the member has
27affixed the words “Paid for by the citizens of Iowa and
28distributed by representative (member’s name).”
29DIVISION IV — FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR BILLS AND OTHER
30DOCUMENTS
-13-1Rule 23
2Documents Signed by the Speaker
3All acts and joint resolutions shall be signed by
4the speaker, and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas
5issued by order of the house, shall be signed by the
6speaker and attested by the chief clerk. The speaker
7shall cause certificates of recognition or condolence
8to be issued by the house which shall be signed by
9the speaker and the chief clerk. The chief clerk
10shall maintain a list of certificates issued including
11the name of the requesting member of the house, the
12name of the recipient, the reason for recognition or
13condolence, and the date of issuance.
14Rule 24
15Presentation of Petitions
16All petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed
17to the house shall be signed by the member and filed
18with the chief clerk. The receipt of petitions shall
19be noted in the journal and such petitions shall be
20available in the office of the chief clerk. At the
21conclusion of each general assembly, the chief clerk
22may dispose of petitions received during that general
23assembly.
24Rule 25
25Consideration of Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
26Action on a simple or concurrent resolution, except
27a memorial resolution, shall not be taken until one day
28after the resolution has been placed on the members’
29desks. After the resolution is adopted, the chief
30clerk shall have the resolution printed in the compiled
-14-1journal and shall transmit certified copies of the
2resolution as directed.
3Rule 26
4Unanimous Consent Calendar
5The speaker may, upon the request of three members,
6place on a unanimous consent calendar any house
7resolution or concurrent resolution which does not
8contain an appropriation and which has been laid over
9under Rule 25.
10If such resolution is placed on the unanimous
11consent calendar, it may be removed only upon a written
12request submitted to the speaker by a member of the
13house.
14If not removed after five legislative days, the
15chief clerk shall call up the resolution and without
16debate the speaker shall pronounce that it has passed
17by unanimous consent.
18If the resolution is removed from the unanimous
19consent calendar, the speaker may again lay the
20resolution over under Rule 25, place it on a different
21calendar, or refer the resolution to any of the
22standing committees of the house.
23Rule 26A
24Senate Bills and Resolutions
25A senate bill or resolution may be referred to a
26standing committee or passed on file.
27Rule 27
28Forms of Bills and Joint Resolutions
29Every house bill shall be introduced by one or more
30members or by any standing or specially authorized
-15-1committee of the house or the administrative rules
2review committee. All bills and joint resolutions
3introduced shall be prepared by the legislative
4services agency with title, enacting clause, text
5and explanation as directed by the chief clerk of the
6house. One copy of each bill shall be presented in a
7bill cover with the number of copies of the bill and
8the title as directed by the chief clerk.
9Rule 28
10Joint and Nullification Resolutions
11Joint resolutions shall be framed and treated as
12bills.
13A “nullification resolution” is a joint resolution
14which nullifies all of an administrative rule, or
15a severable item of an administrative rule adopted
16pursuant to chapter 17A of the Code. A nullification
17resolution shall not amend an administrative rule by
18adding language or by inserting new language in lieu of
19existing language.
20A nullification resolution may be introduced by an
21individual, a standing committee or the administrative
22rules review committee, and may be referred to a
23standing committee. A nullification resolution is
24debatable, but cannot be amended on the floor of the
25house.
26Rule 29
27Time of Introduction of Bills
28No bill or joint resolution under individual
29sponsorship, other than a nullification resolution,
30shall be read for the first time after 4:30 p.m.on
-16-1Friday of the fifth week of the first regular session
2of the general assembly unless a formal request for
3drafting the bill has been filed with the legislative
4services agency before that time.
5After adjournment of the first regular session,
6bills may be prefiled at any time before the convening
7of the second regular session. No bill or joint
8resolution under individual sponsorship, other than a
9nullification resolution, shall be read for the first
10time after 4:30 p.m.on Friday of the second week of
11the second regular session of the general assembly
12unless a formal request for drafting the bill has been
13filed with the legislative services agency before that
14time.
15However, bills or joint resolutions sponsored
16by standing committees or the administrative rules
17review committee, co-sponsored by the majority and
18minority floor leaders, or companion bills sponsored
19by the house majority leader and the senate majority
20leader may be drafted and introduced at any time
21permissible under Joint Rule 20. House, concurrent,
22and nullification resolutions may be introduced at any
23time.
24Rule 30
25Introduction and Reading of Bills
26All bills and resolutions to be introduced in the
27house shall be prepared in proper form and filed
28with the chief clerk no later than 4:30 p.m.on the
29legislative day preceding its introduction.
30Every bill shall receive two readings but no bill
-17-1shall receive its first and last readings on the same
2day.
3A “reading of a bill” as required by these rules
4shall consist of a reading of the title and enacting
5clause.
6Rule 31
7First Reading, Commitment, and Amendment
81. A bill is introduced into the house by an
9initial or “first reading of the bill”.
102. When the house is in session the first reading
11shall consist of a “reading” as provided in Rule 30.
123. Upon a first reading of the bill, the speaker
13shall state that it is ready for commitment or
14amendment; and the speaker shall commit it to the
15standing or select committee, or to a committee of the
16whole house. If to a committee of the whole house, the
17house shall determine on what day.
184. On a nonlegislative day the speaker may cause a
19statement, which shall consist of the title, enacting
20clause, bill number and committee to which the bill
21is referred, to be published in the house journal.
22This publication shall constitute a first reading and
23commitment and shall contain the notation “read and
24committed under Rule 31”.
255. All amendments offered to bills and resolutions
26shall be accompanied by such copies as the chief clerk
27shall direct.
286. Such amendments shall give the number of
29the bill sought to amend and the chief clerk shall
30designate each such amendment thus: Amendment to
-18-1House File _________, or Senate File ________, by
2___________.
37. A bill reported out by committee shall go to the
4speaker who shall direct that the bill be placed on the
5regular calendar unless it covers subject matter more
6properly within the jurisdiction of some other standing
7committee, in which case the speaker shall may refer
8the bill to the proper standing committee. In order to
9expedite important business and set a definite time for
10the bill’s consideration, the speaker may direct the
11bill to be placed on the special order calendar.
128. No amendment to the rules of the house, to any
13resolution or bill, except technical amendments and
14amendments to bills substituted for by senate files
15containing substantially identical title, language,
16subject matter, purpose and intrasectional arrangement,
17shall be considered by the membership of the house
18without a copy of the amendment having been filed with
19the chief clerk by 4:00 p.m.or within one-half hour of
20adjournment, whichever is later, on the day preceding
21floor debate on the amendment. If the house adjourns
22prior to 2:00 p.m.on Friday, the final deadline is two
23hours after adjournment. However, committee amendments
24filed pursuant to the submission of the committee
25report may be accepted after this deadline. This
26provision shall not apply to any proposal debated on
27the floor of the house after the thirteenth week of
28the first session and the twelfth week of the second
29session. No amendment or amendment to an amendment
30to a bill, rule of the house, or resolution shall be
-19-1considered by the membership of the house without
2a copy of the amendment being on the desks of the
3entire membership of the house prior to consideration.
4However, the membership of the house may consider an
5amendment or an amendment to an amendment to a bill,
6rule of the house, or resolution without a copy of the
7amendment being on the desks of the entire membership
8of the house prior to consideration if a copy of the
9amendment is made available to the entire membership of
10the house electronically.
11Rule 32
12Commitment of Appropriation and Revenue Bills
13All bills to appropriate money shall be referred to
14the appropriations committee, and all bills pertaining
15to the levy, assessment, or collection of taxes or fees
16shall be referred to the committee on ways and means.
17Rule 33
18Regular Calendar
19Bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
20resolutions reported out for passage, amendment and
21passage, or without recommendation by a committee,
22or passed on file shall be arranged on a regular
23calendar by the chief clerk each day and electronically
24distributed to the members at the opening of each
25legislative day. The regular calendar shall include
26a list of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
27resolutions which have been special ordered, including
28the date upon which debate is scheduled to begin
29on each of them, which shall be no sooner than five
30session days from the first date of publication on the
-20-1regular calendar.
2Rule 34
3Daily Debate Calendar
4The majority floor leadership shall cause to
5be prepared and distributed to the members at the
6opening of each legislative day when floor action is
7scheduled, a daily debate calendar consisting of bills,
8nullification resolutions, and joint resolutions from
9the regular calendar setting forth the number and
10title of bills, nullification resolutions, and joint
11resolutions for the next legislative day that floor
12action is scheduled.
13This rule does not apply to bills which have passed
14both houses in different forms, reconsiderations, or
15veto reconsiderations.
16Rule 35
17Substitution of Bills
18A senate bill or resolution may be substituted
19for an identical house bill or resolution which has
20been called up for debate. An amendment to a senate
21bill or resolution which has been substituted for an
22identical house bill or resolution is out of order if
23an identical amendment to the house bill or resolution
24was considered.
25Rule 36
26Consideration of Committee Amendments
27After a bill has been referred and reported back,
28it shall be considered on its first reading after the
29amendments of the committee have been read.
30Rule 37
-21-1Amendments to Special Order Bills
2All amendments to bills which have been special
3ordered shall be filed at least three session days
4prior to the date set for debate. Amendments to an
5amendment shall be filed at least two session days
6prior to the date set for debate. However, corrective
7amendments and amendments sponsored by either the
8majority floor leader or the minority floor leader may
9be filed at any time. Rule 31, subsection 8, shall not
10apply to these amendments.
11A corrective amendment is an amendment which does
12not substantively change the amendment or the bill.
13Rule 38
14Germane Amendments
15An amendment must be germane to the subject matter
16of the bill it seeks to amend. An amendment to an
17amendment must be germane to both the amendment and the
18bill it seeks to amend. When a member objects to an
19amendment on grounds that the amendment is not germane,
20the speaker may invite members, who shall include the
21majority and minority leaders, to the speaker’s station
22to discuss the objection.
23Rule 39
24Consideration of Bills
25Bills, including committee bills, joint resolutions,
26and nullification resolutions, reported out for
27passage, for amendment and passage, or without
28recommendation by the committee, are first eligible to
29be acted upon beginning the third legislative day they
30appear on the regular calendar.
-22- 1Committee reports shall be printed in the journal
2immediately after they are filed with the chief clerk.
3Reports recommending bills, joint resolutions, and
4nullification resolutions for passage, for amendment
5and passage, or without recommendation shall stand
6approved unless written objections are filed during
7the first legislative day following their printing in
8the journal. If objections are filed, they shall be
9disposed of as soon as possible.
10Rule 40
11Consideration of Bills Upon Last Reading
12No amendment, unless by way of correcting an error
13or omission, shall be received to any bill on its last
14reading, and no debate shall be allowed on it.
15Rule 41
16Printing of Bills and Joint Resolutions
17Bills and joint resolutions shall be printed in form
18as provided by law and by rule. Each house may direct
19the printing of an additional number of its own bills.
20Legalizing bills of a local or private nature shall
21be printed in bill form and placed in the files of the
22members, the same as other bills, in the order of their
23introduction. The cost of printing shall be deposited
24with the treasurer of state in advance at a rate to be
25fixed, and the newspaper publication of the bill shall
26be without cost to the state. No legalizing act may
27be introduced until all provisions of law have been
28complied with.
29Rule 42
30Certification and Engrossment of Bills
-23- 1The chief clerk shall certify the passage of each
2bill and note the date of its passage.
3In engrossing a bill, the chief clerk shall
4correct all obvious typographical, spelling, or other
5clerical errors and change section subunit numbers
6and letters and internal references as required to
7conform the original bill to any amendments which have
8been adopted. The chief clerk shall report all such
9corrections or changes in the journal. The engrossed
10bill shall be placed in the bill file with the original
11bill and amendments.
12Rule 43
13Rereferral
14A bill may be rereferred by the speaker or, upon
15motion, by the house at any time before its passage and
16after the report of its referral to committee.
17Rule 44
18Effect of Indefinite Postponement
19When a question is indefinitely postponed, it shall
20not be acted upon again during that session.
21Rule 45
22Status of Bills Following First Regular Session
23Except for those bills which have been adopted by
24both houses in different forms, all bills which have
25not been withdrawn, defeated or indefinitely postponed,
26shall be rereferred to committee upon adjournment of
27the first regular session. Within seven days after
28the first committee meeting following convening of
29the second regular session, the committee chair shall
30submit the bill to the full committee for action or the
-24-1chair shall reassign the bill to a subcommittee.
2DIVISION V — COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
3Rule 46
4Appointment of Committees
5All committees shall be appointed by the speaker,
6unless otherwise especially directed by the house.
7Minority party members of a committee shall be
8appointed by the speaker upon recommendation of the
9minority leader.
10Rule 47
11Reserved
12Rule 48
13Study Bills
14A study bill is any matter which a member of
15the house wishes to have considered by a standing
16committee, other than appropriations, without being
17introduced in the house by a first reading. A
18study bill shall be prepared in proper form by the
19legislative services agency prior to submission.
20Upon taking possession of a study bill, the
21committee chair shall notify the speaker and then
22submit four copies of the bill to the legal counsel’s
23office for numbering.
24A study bill shall bear the name of the member who
25wishes to have the bill considered. A study bill
26submitted by a state agency or board for consideration
27shall bear the name of the state agency or board. A
28committee chair may submit a study bill in the name of
29that committee.
30Final committee action on a study bill shall not be
-25-1taken until one day following the notation of the study
2bill assignment in the house journal.
3Rule 49
4Committee Meetings
5No committee, except a conference committee or the
6administrative rules review committee, shall meet
7while the house is in session without special leave.
8Committees with overlapping memberships shall not meet
9at the same time without special leave.
10Rule 50
11Smoking Prohibited
12Smoking shall not be permitted in the house or in
13any area of the capitol building.
14Rule 51
15Assignments to Subcommittee
16The chair of the committee shall report to the house
17the bill number of each bill assigned to subcommittee
18and the names of the subcommittee members. The report
19shall be printed in the journal.
20All bills, prior to consideration by the committee,
21shall be referred by the chair to a subcommittee,
22unless acted upon by a committee of the whole.
23The chair may assign bills to subcommittees without
24a meeting of the committee, but the membership of the
25subcommittee so appointed shall be reported at the next
26meeting of the committee.
27Rule 52
28Open Meetings
29Standing committee meetings shall be open, and
30voting by secret ballot is prohibited. The committee
-26-1on administration and rules may close its meetings to
2evaluate the professional competency of an individual.
3Rule 53
4Quorum and Vote Requirements
5The committee roll shall be taken at the convening
6of each meeting to determine the presence of a quorum.
7A majority of the committee membership shall constitute
8a quorum.
9An affirmative vote of a majority of the committee
10membership is required to report a bill out of
11committee or to suspend a committee rule.
12A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
13committee member who voted on the prevailing side of
14the question sought to be reconsidered. A motion to
15reconsider may only be made prior to the adjournment of
16the committee meeting at which the bill was reported
17out.
18If a member, who is in the committee room when a
19question to report a bill out of committee is put, has
20not asked to be excused prior to commencing to take
21the vote on the question, the member shall vote aye
22or nay unless the committee has excused the member for
23special reasons. However, a member may pass on the
24first taking of the roll call on the question but shall
25vote aye or nay when the member’s name is called for a
26second time.
27Rule 54
28Committee Attendance Record and Report of Committee
29Form
301. A committee attendance record shall be filed
-27-1with the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two
2hours after the house convenes, whichever is later,
3of the legislative day immediately following the day
4of the committee meeting. The committee attendance
5record is a public record and may be published in the
6journal. The committee attendance record shall include
7the following information:
8a. The time the meeting convened.
9b. The members present at the meeting.
10c. The time the meeting adjourned.
11d. A list of bills receiving final committee
12disposition.
132. A report of committee form shall be filed with
14the chief clerk no later than 10:00 a.m.or two hours
15after the house convenes, whichever is later, of the
16legislative day immediately following the day of the
17committee meeting for each study bill, numbered bill
18or resolution receiving final committee disposition.
19The report of committee form is a public record and
20a report of committee action shall be printed in the
21journal. The report of committee form shall include
22the following information:
23a. The committee action taken.
24b. The committee amendment number, if any.
25c. The roll call vote of the committee on final
26disposition.
27d. The minority recommendation, if any.
283. Upon final adjournment of the first session
29and final adjournment of the second session of the
30general assembly, the chair of each committee shall
-28-1have placed the committee’s book of record containing
2minutes, record roll calls on final disposition, record
3roll call votes on any amendments considered, rules,
4etc., with the chief clerk for access of any interested
5person.
6Rule 55
7Minority Recommendation
8The minority of the members of a committee may
9present its recommendations on the final disposition
10of a bill to the house by attaching its recommendation
11to the committee report. The minority recommendation
12shall be noted in the journal along with the committee
13report.
14Rule 56
15Committee Amendment
16Whenever a committee amendment is proposed which
17would amend another committee amendment, the amendment
18shall be drafted in the form of a substitute amendment
19and shall be considered as such.
20Rule 57
21Committee Notice and Agenda
22Each committee shall prepare and publish a notice
23and agenda of each committee meeting at least one
24legislative day prior to the meeting. The notice and
25agenda may be placed on the desks of or transmitted
26electronically to committee members.
27The notice shall contain the committee name, the
28date, time, and location of the meeting.
29The agenda shall contain the matters to be
30discussed, including a list of bills, joint
-29-1resolutions, nullification resolutions, and study
2bills by number. The agenda should contain the names
3of individuals who are scheduled to appear before the
4committee and the organization which they represent.
5A bill, joint resolution, nullification resolution,
6or study bill shall not be reported out of committee if
7the bill was not included in the published notice and
8agenda unless this rule is suspended by a majority of
9the total membership of the committee.
10A committee chair may call a meeting without
11providing the required notice and agenda upon leave
12of the house if a notice is either electronically
13transmitted to committee members or placed on the desks
14of committee members.
15Rule 58
16Clearing of Committee Room
17The chair of a committee may clear the committee
18room in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct.
19Rule 58A
20Use of Telephonic or Electronic Devices in Committee
21Rooms Restricted
221. In any committee room while a standing committee
23is in session:
24a. A person shall mute any cell phone, computer, or
25other electronic device under the person’s control.
26b. A person shall not use a cell phone or other
27electronic device to audibly transmit or receive
28communications.
292. The chair or acting chair of a standing
30committee may clear the committee room of any person
-30-1acting in violation of this rule.
2Rule 59
3Committee Amendments
4All amendments to a bill or resolution adopted in
5committee shall be incorporated in a single committee
6amendment or incorporated in a new committee bill.
7Rule 60
8Withdrawal of Bills, Joint Resolutions, or
9Nullification Resolutions From Committee
10A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
11resolution which has been in committee for eighteen
12legislative days following notation of such referral
13in the journal may be withdrawn from the committee and
14placed on the calendar by an affirmative vote of not
15less than fifty-one members of the house.
16Rule 61
17Committee Public Hearings
18The chair of a committee may call a public hearing
19for the purpose of receiving public comment on any
20matter within the purview of the committee.
21The chair shall call a public hearing upon the
22written request of committee members according to
23committee rules, but no more than one-third of the
24committee members shall be required.
25A public hearing shall not be called or requested
26after final action on the bill, joint resolution,
27or nullification resolution has been taken by the
28committee. However, a public hearing called or
29requested before final action has been taken by the
30committee may be held after final action on the bill,
-31-1joint resolution, or nullification resolution has been
2taken by the committee.
3The chair shall designate a time and place for a
4public hearing and provide public notice at least five
5days prior to a public hearing.
6A bill, joint resolution, or nullification
7resolution for which a public hearing has been called
8can be voted to the calendar but cannot be debated
9until after the public hearing has been held. If a
10bill, joint resolution, or nullification resolution
11for which a public hearing has been called is not
12debated by the house during the session in which it
13is introduced, the request for the public hearing is
14deemed to have lapsed upon adjournment sine die of that
15session.
16However, public hearings which have been requested
17during or after the 9th week of the first session and
18during or after the 7th week of the second session must
19be held within four legislative days of the date of the
20request.
21Rule 62
22Limitation on Filing of Claims
23All claims shall be referred to the appropriations
24committee. A claim referred to the appropriations
25committee in a prior session of the general assembly
26shall not be considered by the appropriations
27committee or by the house unless it has been
28specifically referred to this session by a vote of the
29appropriations committee. The appropriations committee
30is authorized to set a definite date each session after
-32-1which it will not receive claims or claim bills for
2consideration.
3DIVISION VI — COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
4Rule 63
5Organization of Committee of the Whole
6In forming the committee of the whole house, the
7speaker shall appoint a member to preside in committee
8and then leave the chair.
9Rule 64
10Rules in Committee of the Whole
11The rules of the house shall be observed in
12committee of the whole house, so far as they are
13applicable.
14Rule 65
15Bills in Committee of the Whole
16Bills committed to the committee of the whole house
17shall first be debated by section. After the report
18of the committee of the whole, the bill shall again be
19subject to debate and amendment before a vote is had on
20its last reading and passage.
21Rule 66
22Amendments by Committee of the Whole
23All amendments made to a report committed to a
24committee of the whole house shall be noted and
25reported as in the case of bills.
26DIVISION VII — MOTIONS
27Rule 67
28Order and Precedence of Motions
29The following order of motions, listed in order
30of precedence, shall govern when a question is under
-33-1debate:
21. Adjourn.
32. Recess.
43. Questions of privilege.
54. Lay on the table.
65. Previous question.
76. Limit debate.
87. Postpone definitely or to a certain time.
98. Refer or rerefer.
109. Defer.
1110. Amend an amendment.
1211. Amend.
1312. Postpone indefinitely.
14A motion to postpone definitely or to a certain
15time, to refer or commit, or to postpone indefinitely a
16particular question shall not be considered more than
17once on the same day.
18Adoption of a motion to strike the enacting words is
19equivalent to rejection of the question.
20Rule 68
21Order of Consideration of Amendments
22Amendments shall be considered by earliest position
23in the bill. Amendments to the same place in the bill
24shall be considered by the lowest amendment number. An
25amendment which inserts language after a line and an
26amendment which inserts language before the succeeding
27line shall be considered amendments to the same place
28in the bill.
29However, an amendment to strike the enacting clause
30shall always be considered first. An amendment filed
-34-1by a committee shall have the next highest order of
2priority, followed by an amendment to strike everything
3after the enacting clause and insert new language. An
4amendment to strike language or to strike and insert
5new language, except an amendment to strike everything
6after the enacting clause and insert new language,
7shall not be considered before amendments to perfect
8all or part of the same portion of the bill.
9Rule 69
10Motions Not Debatable
11The following motions are not debatable:
121. Adjourn.
132. Adjourn to a certain time.
143. Suspend house rules.
154. Previous question.
165. Close debate at a certain time.
176. Recess.
187. Defer.
198. Refer or rerefer.
209. Lay on the table.
2110. Take from the table.
2211. Call of the house.
2312. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
2413. Appeal a decision of the chair.
2514. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
26Rule 69A
27Constitutional Majority
281. The following motions require a constitutional
29majority for approval:
30a. Final passage of a bill, joint resolution, or
-35-1nullification resolution.
2b. Lay on the table.
3c. Take from the table.
4d. Suspend house rules.
5e. Previous question.
6f. Withdraw a bill or resolution from committee.
7g. Reconsider a bill, joint resolution, or
8nullification resolution.
9h. Immediately message a bill or resolution.
102. A division must be taken on any motion which
11requires a constitutional majority.
12Rule 70
13Motion to Adjourn
14A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except
15when a member is speaking or the house is voting.
16Rule 71
17Withdrawal of Motions
18After a motion is stated by the speaker or read by
19the chief clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession
20of the house, but may be withdrawn by leave of the
21house.
22Rule 72
23Unanimous Consent
24Unanimous consent of the members may be asked for
25suspension of any rule of the house. If there is no
26objection to the request, the rule shall be considered
27suspended.
28Rule 73
29Reconsideration
301. A motion to reconsider may be made only by a
-36-1member who voted on the prevailing side of the question
2sought to be reconsidered.
32. A motion to reconsider may be made not later
4than adjournment on the legislative day following
5the legislative day of the action sought to be
6reconsidered. Where the floor manager voted on
7the prevailing side, the floor manager has the
8prior right to make the motion, until adjournment
9on the legislative day of the action sought to be
10reconsidered. A motion to reconsider a nullification
11resolution shall be acted upon not later than
12adjournment on the legislative day following
13the legislative day of the action sought to be
14reconsidered.
153. A motion to reconsider made beginning the
16fifteenth week of the first regular session, or the
17thirteenth week of the second regular session, may be
18taken up when made. A motion made at any other time
19may be taken up prior to the third legislative day
20succeeding the legislative day of the action sought
21to be reconsidered only if called up by the mover,
22and after the second legislative day succeeding the
23legislative day of the action sought to be reconsidered
24if called up by any member.
254. The making of a motion to reconsider takes
26precedence over all other questions.
275. When passage, adoption, or failure of any bill,
28joint resolution, or nullification resolution is
29reconsidered, questions on amendments may also be
30reconsidered and shall be disposed of immediately.
-37- 16. In the event that a motion to reconsider
2is pending at the end of the first session or any
3extraordinary session of any general assembly, or the
4general assembly adjourns sine die, and the motion to
5reconsider has not been voted upon by the house, the
6motion shall be determined to have failed.
7DIVISION VIII — VOTING
8Rule 74
9Manner of Voting
10Members present may cast their votes, either by
11operating the voting mechanism located at their
12assigned desk or by signaling the speaker from the
13floor of the house or from the south visitors’ gallery
14if they are unable to vote at their assigned desk.
15Only a member may operate the voting mechanism at that
16member’s assigned desk. The speaker shall announce the
17votes of members signaling their votes. Upon direction
18of the speaker only those members at their desks and
19voting shall be counted. Members who are not present
20shall not cast their votes except:
211. Members who have not voted may record their
22votes on any record roll call vote except quorum
23calls within ten minutes after the outcome of the
24vote has been announced. Members shall initial their
25recorded votes on a copy of the record roll call at the
26speaker’s station. However, if the aggregate of votes
27cast under this rule would change the outcome of the
28vote on a question, then none of the votes cast on the
29question under this rule shall be recorded. A member
30may request announcement of the names of members so
-38-1recorded after the ten-minute period.
22. Members meeting in a conference committee
3or in administrative rules review committee at the
4time a vote is taken on a question may have their
5vote recorded within thirty minutes or adjournment,
6whichever is first, of that same legislative day,
7provided the aggregate of votes cast does not change
8the outcome of the vote on a question.
9Rule 75
10Voting in the House and Duty of Voting
11Voting on a question put to members on the floor of
12the house shall not occur between midnight and 8 a.m.
13on any legislative day except for voting on a motion to
14recess, defer, or adjourn. Except as limited in Rule
1576, every member who is in the house when a question is
16put shall vote unless the house has excused that member
17from voting for special reasons; however, such member
18must have asked to be excused from voting prior to the
19time the speaker puts the question.
20Rule 76
21Limitation on Right to Vote
22No member shall vote on any question in which
23the member or the member’s immediate family member,
24as defined in chapter 68B of the Code, has a direct
25financial interest different from other similarly
26situated persons or classes of persons of the general
27public.
28Rule 77
29Call of the House
30Upon written request of five members, the presiding
-39-1officer shall compel attendance of absent and unexcused
2members for the consideration of specified bills,
3resolutions, or amendments.
4A call of the house shall specify the propositions
5to which it is to apply and must be put into effect
6before roll call is taken on the proposition. The
7request may be filed with the chief clerk at any time
8before final action upon the propositions, who shall
9notify the house immediately.
10Rule 78
11Method of Calling the House
12Upon a call of the house, the names of the members
13shall be called by the chief clerk and the absentees
14noted, after which the names of the absentees shall
15again be called. The sergeant-at-arms shall be
16directed by the speaker to compel the attendance of
17absent members, unless they are previously excused.
18Any member occupying the member’s seat during a call
19of the house shall be counted by the speaker and that
20person’s name entered in the journal as being present
21for the purpose of making a quorum.
22Rule 79
23Method of Calling the Roll
24The electrical voting machine shall be used for a
25call of the house, a quorum call or a roll call vote
26on any question. If the electrical voting machine is
27not in operating order when it is necessary to take
28a record roll call vote, the presiding officer shall
29order the vote to be taken by calling the roll in
30alphabetical order, except the name of the presiding
-40-1officer shall be called last.
2During the casting of the vote with the voting
3machine, the individual votes and the vote totals shall
4be shown on the display boards. Before the voting
5machine is closed, the presiding officer shall inquire
6of the house, “Have you all voted?”
7Rule 80
8Quorum and Record Roll Call Votes
9A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
10A record roll call vote shall be ordered upon
11request of any two members. The names of the members
12requesting the record roll call shall be entered in the
13journal.
14Rule 81
15Previous Question
16When a member moves for the previous question, the
17member shall state whether the motion will apply to the
18main question, to all the amendments, or to particular
19amendments. The motion requires an affirmative vote of
20at least a constitutional majority of the members. If
21the motion for a previous question is not adopted, the
22house shall proceed in the same manner as before the
23motion was made.
24If the motion is adopted, all debate must end and
25the house will vote upon the question except:
261. If the motion applies to the main question, the
27member in charge of the measure will have ten minutes
28to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
29the vote on the measure is taken.
302. If the motion applies to an amendment, the
-41-1member proposing the amendment will have five minutes
2to speak for the purpose of closing discussion before
3the vote on the amendment is taken.
43. If a member has filed a written request with
5the chief clerk of the house indicating the member’s
6desire to speak on a particular question. The request
7must be filed before the motion is made by the movant.
8The request allows a member to speak on a particular
9question before the closing discussion by the member
10who is in charge of the measure or who is proposing the
11amendment.
12Rule 82
13Division of the Question
14Any member may call for a division of the question,
15which shall be divided if it comprehends questions so
16distinct that one being taken away, the remainder may
17stand separately for discussion by the house. Upon
18request to divide an amendment, the chief clerk shall
19restate the division and note the divided amendment in
20the house journal. An amendment to strike out being
21lost shall not preclude an amendment to strike out and
22insert. An amendment to strike out and insert shall be
23deemed indivisible.
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