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House Energy & Environment to pilot paperless amendment delivery, OLS explains process
Summary
Committee chair announced a paperless amendment pilot for the House Energy & Environment Committee; Jennifer Berman of the Office of Legislative Legal Services outlined how amendments will be delivered electronically and asked members to provide feedback.
Chair Valdez told the committee that the House Energy & Environment Committee will participate in a pilot program to receive committee amendments electronically rather than in printed packets. Jennifer Berman of the Office of Legislative Legal Services described the pilot and what committee members should expect.
"This Committee will be participating in a pilot program this session to test the efficacy of paperless committee amendments," Jennifer Berman told members, explaining that amendment packets would be delivered electronically via Box and on "I legislate" and that members should bring and pair laptops or tablets to access materials.
Berman explained several reasons for the pilot: it can speed delivery of ASAP (as soon as possible) committee amendments, better maintain confidentiality compared with physically carrying amendment packets, reduce staff time spent copying and distributing amendments, and reduce paper and related costs. She asked committee members to provide feedback during the pilot and to report technical issues to her or to Legislative Information Services.
Chair Valdez and members confirmed access to the Box platform and raised no technical questions during the meeting. The committee also reviewed some housekeeping rules for testimony length and remote testimony: the chair said that with 20 or more witnesses each speaker will get 2 minutes; with fewer than 20, speakers will be allotted 3 minutes, and members should avoid leading questions of witnesses.
Why it mattered
The pilot is an operational change for committee workflow with the stated goals of speeding amendment delivery, increasing confidentiality for late-filed amendments, saving staff time and reducing paper use. OLS and LIS will monitor effectiveness and asked members for feedback during the trial.
Ending note
Staff asked members to pair their devices with committee systems, to report technical problems to OLS or LIS, and to expect amendment packets to appear in Box and on committee platforms during future meetings.
