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Montana House Rules Committee debates HR 1 decorum amendment, delays action
Summary
The House Rules Committee discussed HR 1, a package of proposed changes to floor decorum and intern workplace rules, including a contested graduated discipline system and a request to limit retroactive complaints; the committee postponed executive action until tomorrow at noon to revise language.
The Montana House Rules Committee debated HR 1, a proposed update to House floor decorum and related rules, and postponed action until it reconvenes tomorrow at noon so sponsors can revise amendment language.
The measure under discussion, presented by Representative Steve Fitzpatrick (R., House District 24), would add a written code of conduct to House rules and create a graduated discipline process for breaches of decorum. Fitzpatrick said the amendment seeks to “establish... things that would not be... in decorum,” including imputing motives, using profane language, or threatening injury to a member.
Why it matters: The proposal would codify specific sanctions for out-of-order conduct — a warning for a first offense, loss of recognition for up to three days for a second offense, and expulsion from the floor for up to six days for third and subsequent offenses — and it would give the presiding officer and, ultimately, the House the power to impose penalties. Lawmakers on both sides said those enforcement measures raise questions about due process, the scope of the speaker’s discretion, and potential impacts on…
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