Committee amends and forwards tribal-land study resolution to management for possible interim study

Chairman Hedlund opened consideration of House Bill 1563, a study resolution relating to tribal land. Representative Olson proposed an amendment to change the bill's language from a mandatory study to permissive language: to make it a "may study" rather than a "shall study." Olson explained his concern about tying Legislative Management to a mandatory study and said he would prefer the Legislature retain flexibility to prioritize other studies.

Representative Olson formally moved to amend House Bill 1563; the motion was seconded. Representative Vista said he intended to support the amendment and recommended that, should Legislative Management choose the study, it would be a natural fit to assign it to the Tribal-State Relations interim committee because that committee "doesn't have that many assigned studies typically." Representative Doctor also supported the amended approach, describing the subject as complex and endorsing assignment to the interim committee if selected by Legislative Management.

The committee adopted Olson's amendment by voice vote. Olson then moved that the committee recommend a "do pass as amended" on House Bill 1563; the motion was seconded. The clerk read the roll for the do-pass-as-amended recommendation; the record shows affirmative votes from the committee and the motion carried. Representative Olson was asked to carry the bill to the next step.

The amendment replaces mandatory study language with permissive language, allowing Legislative Management discretion to select and assign the study to an appropriate interim committee.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 1563 — Amended to change mandatory study language to a permissive "may study"; committee recommendation: Do pass as amended; mover: Representative Olson; second: (recorded second during discussion).