Veterans committee chair sets fast schedule, warns members about bill deadlines

Representative Mike Thompson, chair of the Committee on Veterans and Military, opened the committee’s first meeting of the session and warned members the panel will operate on a compressed schedule that requires attention to several early deadlines.

Thompson told members the two dates they must track immediately are Jan. 27 and Jan. 30. "On January 27th, this is the last day a member of the legislature can request a bill from the reviser’s office that the member will sponsor themselves," Thompson said. He explained that Jan. 30 is the committee’s internal cutoff for accepting requests that the committee sponsor a bill; the formal statutory deadline for introduction is Feb. 3 but the committee’s Tuesday/Thursday schedule moves its internal calendar earlier.

The warning followed opening remarks in which Thompson asked for patience while revisers and staff process bill paperwork. "We’re going to have our meetings next Tuesday and Wednesday," he told the committee, adding that many bills had not yet been filed and the committee would publish information as it becomes available.

Nut graf: The committee’s early emphasis on deadlines and uniform committee rules reflects a compressed legislative calendar and the chair’s intention to streamline consideration of veterans-related legislation this session.

Thompson asked members to review a circulated set of "house rules" and said leadership is working to standardize rules across committees. He also asked members to keep cellular devices off during presentations and said news media will be restricted from approaching the desk or podium during committee hearings.

Staff introductions preceded the deadline briefing. Carly Choi introduced herself as the lead reviser assigned to the committee; Natalie Nelson and Mike Ditch introduced themselves from legislative research. Thompson asked members to provide contact numbers to staff member Betty (last name not stated) so the office can reach members if urgent changes arise.

Committee business scheduling: Thompson confirmed the committee’s next meeting is Jan. 21 and said the panel will call for bill-introduction requests at the start of each meeting. He also noted that if there is no business to discuss the committee will not meet.

Ending: Thompson closed by asking members to submit prospective bill topics when they introduce themselves later in the meeting and reiterated the request to consult staff with procedural questions.