Committee staff outline drafting, amendment timelines and bill schedule; chair lists three bills for Thursday

Committee staff briefed members on their roles, how bill drafts and amendments will be handled, and provided printed handouts that include the 2025 session calendar and quorum guidance.

Maxwell Parson, research analyst with the Legislative Services Division, told the committee he drafts bills and amendments and asked members to provide 24 hours’ notice for amendments before executive action when possible. Parson said he will still draft amendments on short notice if needed, but warned that the committee may have to reconsider motions later if issues are found during the full review process.

Katie (committee clerk) said she schedules bill hearings and records committee proceedings. She told members she will circulate contact information and that committee members can ask her for copies of materials.

Parson distributed a packet of documents that included: a staff functions summary, a decision points checklist, a motions-in-committee brochure, an "effective committee member" guide, the 2025 session calendar, and a quorum-laws handout. He said the packet is intended to help members plan hearings and draft amendments.

Chair Jedidiah Hinkle told members the committee will focus executive actions on Thursdays and said he selected what he expected to be less controversial bills for the upcoming Thursday hearing. He listed the bills scheduled for Thursday as House Bill 57, House Bill 95 and House Bill 98. Hinkle also signaled an expectation from leadership to move bills to the floor promptly.

Members discussed logistics: Hinkle said he might impose time limits on testimony for contentious issues and balance time between proponents and opponents. The committee also discussed the snack fund; the chair read a suggested amount of $25 per member as guidance for funding committee snacks.