Committee of the Whole adopts updated rules, removes paragraph on limiting witnesses

The Committee of the Whole of the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously approved the committee's Rules of Organizational Procedure for Council Period 26 on Jan. 21, 2025, after agreeing to strike a paragraph that would have given the chair authority to limit oral testimony from organizations.

The change came after a series of questions from council members about whether the proposed language would prevent individuals who registered separately from testifying. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, chair of the Council and chair of the Committee of the Whole, said the provision was intended to reduce repetitive testimony: "We're trying to create a bit more order for some of our hearings," Mendelson said. He gave an example of past hearings in which groups produced large numbers of witnesses the chair deemed repetitive.

Council member Allen raised concerns that the language could be read to bar individuals who registered from testifying. "If I'm reading it the way that I think perhaps... you're allowed to testify as part of ABC Organization, you're allowed to testify as part of the organization, but 20 more people you could say, you're not gonna all still testify with a full 5 minutes," Allen said, asking whether the intent was to limit only organizational spokespeople or to restrict individuals who had registered.

Mendelson responded that the paragraph as written could be broad and said he would remove it. "If you want, I'll strike the paragraph," Mendelson said; council members including Council member George and Council member McDuffie indicated agreement, and the committee adopted the rules with that change.

Members also discussed rule 507, which addresses swearing or affirming witnesses. Council member Parker asked whether the rule's language covers government witnesses, saying committees have been inconsistent in swearing in officials. "Is there anywhere in the rules where it says that government witnesses before the committee of the whole will be sworn in?" Parker asked. Mendelson said the language on swearing is longstanding but acknowledged the need for consistent practice across committees.

The committee took a formal roll-call vote recorded as unanimous in favor of the amended rules. The chair said the rules will be circulated with the agenda and published in the Council register.

The meeting record shows the committee began with routine procedural motions (waivers of reading of the secretary's report and log of introductions) that were approved by voice vote before the rules discussion.