Committee considers allowing public experts on legislative subcommittees; concerns about voting and staffing raised

Representative Thurston presented a draft joint rules resolution that would allow legislative subcommittees to include non‑legislators (members of the public) so committees could draw outside expertise without creating separate task forces. “Extending the ability for a subcommittee to allow for members of the public to sit on that subcommittee, would open up the ability for us to get those same … input that we had from experts,” Thurston said, describing the Blockchain Digital Innovation Task Force as an example of successful outside engagement. Members voiced two main concerns: whether non‑legislators should have voting rights and the additional staff/time cost. Representative Dunigan said he opposed non‑legislator voting: “They should be able to vote on ideas and contribute, but they shouldn't be able to vote on legislation.” Senator Bridal and others said working groups can accomplish similar work with less staff burden. Representative Thurston described guardrails in the draft: any standing or interim committee that establishes such a subcommittee must specify the assignment, the number of non‑legislator members, duration, and anticipated meetings; the Legislative Management Committee would approve creation and any extension. Several members suggested alternatives such as an advisory or formal participating role (without vote) and stronger oversight to prevent subcommittees from effectively superseding standing committees. Representative Wilcox noted the benefit of an official forum to attract sustained expert participation: “There is something to have them sit around the table.” No motion was taken; chairs were instructed to refine language that preserves expert participation while preventing unelected members from exercising legislative voting authority.