The Legislative Process Committee devoted extended discussion to whether interim and process-committee chairs should have independent authority to open committee bill files between meetings and what limits, if any, the committee should impose.

The issue centers on a tension staff described: allowing chairs to open bill files between meetings can speed drafting when committees do not meet frequently, but it also can be used to prioritize drafting for requests that were not considered or approved by the full committee. Representative Jared Dunnigan explained the original intent was to allow chairs to address delays when committees did not meet for months; several members said the policy has sometimes been used to get draft language into the queue in ways committee members view as “jumping the line.”

Senator Filmore and others described staff constraints: drafting and post-numbering changes require additional work and introduce risk for the clerks’ systems, which is why staff proposed a limit on sponsor changes after a bill is numbered. Representative Wilcox and Representative Berucci recommended clearer notice and reporting: a 48-hour staff notice to committee members before a chair opens a bill file, routine reporting at the next meeting (already in rule), and limits on subject matter or the number of files a chair may open were discussed as possible mitigations. Senator Escamilla and others argued any limit should be carefully targeted to avoid impairing legitimate chair duties, especially late in the interim when drafting capacity is constrained.

No formal rule change or motion on this issue was adopted; members asked staff to study options and bring proposed language back. Representative Wilcox suggested the committee meet once or twice in the interim to review drafts; several chairs expressed support for an additional interim meeting to reduce pressure to open files between sessions.

Ending: After extended floor debate among members and staff, the committee left the question open and asked staff to return with draft rule language and options for committee consideration during the interim.