House Rules Committee approves HR 1 amendments setting decorum rules, bars interns from lobbying and moves measure to the floor

The Montana House Rules Committee on Oct. 12 debated and approved amendments to HR 1 that define decorum, set a staged penalty process for violations and add a prohibition on interns lobbying, then voted to move HR 1 as amended to the House floor.

The committee considered an amendment labeled HR001.001 that defines decorum to include refraining from profanity, impugning motives and violating privileges or recognition procedures. The amendment preserves a two-step disciplinary framework of (1) a warning and (2) up to three consecutive legislative days in which a member may not be recognized on the floor; language providing for automatic expulsion at a third offense was removed in committee drafting. The amendment also includes a requirement that alleged decorum breaches be raised within one legislative day.

Representative Carlin introduced HR001.001 and explained the changes, saying the goal was a “tight and enforceable” definition of decorum and to remove automatic expulsion from the rules. Carlin also said the amendment gives the Speaker discretion to continue not recognizing a member or to…