Rules committee recommends modernizing distribution and adds harassment policy to ethics rules

Chairman Watson presented a report from the Senate Rules Committee on Jan. 16 outlining seven recommended modifications to the rules of order that would govern the 114th General Assembly.

The committee recommended modernizing procedures for electronically distributing calendars and amendments, while preserving members' ability to request paper copies from the clerk. The committee noted that the significant change added to the ethics rules is the inclusion of a harassment policy. The rules are also to be adjusted to require a member of the ethics committee who is the subject of a complaint to step aside and for the speaker to appoint a same-party replacement to preserve the committee's composition.

Chairman Watson said the recommendations were unanimously approved by the rules committee and are intended to be taken up again when the Senate convenes in the regular session. He asked members to review the proposals and contact the rules committee with questions before the formal rule adoption process at the start of the regular session.

The report accompanied materials spread on senators' desks and an updated set of rule changes will be distributed later to correct a clerical omission, the chairman said.