Bill would let a bill’s chief sponsor sit as nonvoting member of rulemaking advisory committees

Lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 3569, which would require agencies that appoint a Rules Advisory Committee to invite the bill’s chief sponsor to participate as a nonvoting member when the RAC is convened to implement the sponsor’s legislation.

The bill’s sponsor described the change as a narrow, technical amendment with broader practical effects. The sponsor said allowing the chief sponsor to sit at the RAC table helps preserve legislative intent during the rulemaking stage. "What this bill proposes is very simple. It's that the chief sponsor of a bill be given the opportunity to sit on any RAC of any rule making process that stems from their bill," the sponsor told the committee.

The sponsor acknowledged there may be edge cases to address in drafting, such as bills with co‑chiefs or committee bills, and offered to prepare technical amendments to accommodate co‑chiefs and committee designees. Committee members raised procedural questions about whether a former legislator should still be allowed to participate and whether the sponsor’s presence could affect RAC dynamics. The sponsor said the bill text does not specify that the chief sponsor must be a sitting legislator and that the sponsor’s role would be advisory and nonvoting by default to avoid undue influence.

Committee members noted that simply attending public meetings is not the same as being part of a RAC. One member observed that being permitted to attend does not guarantee the sponsor a place at the table to speak; the bill would make participation in the RAC formal and advisory.

No committee vote was recorded on the bill during the meeting. The sponsor said he would consider drafting a quick amendment to address co‑chiefs and committee bills before the measure moves forward.