Interim joint committee changes quorum rule to require majority of each chamber for sponsoring legislation

The Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Interim Committee voted on June 20 to adopt an amended interim‑committee rule clarifying quorum and sponsorship thresholds for joint committee bills. Co‑Chair Heiner presided over the vote after members debated an alternate quorum formulation intended to increase the chance that committee‑sponsored measures would have support in both chambers.

The amendment replaces an existing subsection with language modeled on a recent change the Joint Judiciary Committee adopted: the quorum necessary to transact business remains a majority of the committee, but “to sponsor legislation” the committee requires “a majority vote of the quorum of members of each house then present.” Supporters said the change will reduce the number of committee bills that fail during later chamber consideration; opponents said interim committee work should blur chamber lines and use a simple majority. Representative Daniel Campbell argued the change would reduce the committee carrying bills forward that lack bicameral support; another member urged preserving the traditional joint‑committee approach.

The committee first used a voice vote; members then called for division and a hand count. After checking individual members, the chair recorded the outcome as 8 in favor and 6 opposed and announced the rules as adopted. The committee moved on to its scheduled briefings.

Ending: Committee staff will publish the amended interim rules and proceed under the new standard for committee sponsorship of legislation during the interim.