Committee on Legal Services sends Senate Bill 125 to Committee of the Whole after 7-1 vote

The Committee on Legal Services voted 7–1 with two members excused on Wednesday, April 16, to send Senate Bill 125, the annual Rule Review bill, to the Committee of the Whole.

The vote moves the bill out of the committee for consideration by the full House Committee of the Whole. The measure is part of the committee's annual review of agency rulemaking and whether administrative rules conform to statutory authority.

Chair Weisman convened the meeting and confirmed a quorum. Jake Baus of the Office of Legislative Legal Services offered to answer questions but declined to add remarks beyond providing availability for questions. Vice Chair Soper moved, “I move Senate Bill 125 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation,” and Representative Mabry seconded the motion. Representative Luck spoke against the motion on the record, saying, “I vote against giving rulemaking authority on most bills, because I don't believe the legislature should be giving over a lot of the authority that we do to the executive branch,” and adding, “I won't be able to support this either today.”

The committee took a roll-call vote. Voting yes were Representative Camacho, Senator Carson, Senator Gonzales, Representative Joseph, Representative Mabry, Vice Chair Soper and Chair Weisman. Representative Luck voted no. Senators Frizzell and Roberts were recorded as excused. The chair announced the motion passed 7–1 with 2 excused and that Senate Bill 125 will proceed to the Committee of the Whole.

After the vote, Director DiCecco asked if there was any other business; staff reported no further action. The committee adjourned after brief administrative remarks.

The immediate next step is committee consideration by the Committee of the Whole; no additional dates or scheduling were specified at the Committee on Legal Services meeting.