House Criminal Justice Subcommittee adopts procedural rules, runs mock electronic vote that ties 4-4

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee met in an organizational session Wednesday, during which members introduced themselves, the chairman reviewed committee procedures for filing bills and amendments, and the committee conducted a mock electronic vote that the clerk recorded as a 4-4 tie.

Chairman Clay Doggett, Representative, opened the meeting and reviewed administrative rules for the committee, saying bills must be placed on notice through the house portal by 3:30 p.m. the Wednesday before the next scheduled meeting and that paper notices are not accepted. He told members that committee amendments must be submitted by 10 a.m. Tuesday before a meeting, that amendments are accepted only by email from a member or that member’s assistant, and that verbal or late-filed amendments “shall not be considered.”

The rules for witness testimony and meeting materials were also explained. Doggett said witness cards should be submitted to the chairman’s office at least 24 hours before a scheduled meeting or may be filled out in person before the meeting; submission of a card does not guarantee a chance to speak and testimony is subject to time and other limits. He instructed that handouts will not be distributed in paper form to members and must be provided electronically in advance so staff can disseminate them or add them to the committee’s dashboard.

On voting procedures, the chairman said final action votes will be recorded as roll-call votes on the electronic board. Amendments or procedural motions may be decided by voice vote, but if three members object to a voice vote, the matter will be recorded on the board. During the mock vote to test the electronic system, the clerk announced, “you have 4 ayes and 4 nays. The bill fails.” The mock vote was described in the meeting as a system test and not a legislative action.

Members who introduced themselves included Representative Gabby Salinas (District 96, Shelby County); Representative Fred Ashley (12th District, Sevier County); Representative Rick Scarborough (33rd District, Anderson County); Representative Lowell Russell (1st/21st—as introduced); Representative Andrew Farmer (17th District); Representative William Lambert (Sumner County); Representative Mary Littleton (representing Cheatham and Dickson counties as stated); and Chairman Clay Doggett (70th District). A clerk’s office staff member administered the sample vote and reported the tally.

Committee members asked procedural questions during the meeting. One member asked whether roll-call votes require a request; Doggett responded that final actions are roll-call votes and that an amendment or previous-question vote could be decided by voice vote unless three members object and send it to the board. Doggett also said a written copy of the instructions would be emailed to members during the week.

Doggett said that if the committee does not complete its calendar in a meeting, items roll to the next week’s calendar and sponsors are not penalized. He indicated the committee will meet next week with a calendar of bills and that, depending on volume, the committee may hear presentations after business concludes. The chairman noted that several regular departmental presenters were not present at this session and that the committee would pass on those introductions for today.

The organizational meeting lasted about 10 minutes and was used to confirm procedures ahead of the committee’s next substantive calendar.