Representative Alex Riley, the sponsor and a state representative from the 130 Fourth District, presented a package of proposed changes to House rules and a House Committee Substitute for HR 7 during the Committee on Consent and House Procedure on Jan. 8.

Riley said the changes are intended to let committees and members “hit the ground running,” and described several substantive edits: removing committee bill slot limits and the 20‑bill filing cap; requiring distribution of amendments to the amendment before a member may be inquired of or speak on the bill or underlying amendment; requiring that amendments to an amendment be germane to the underlying amendment; and cutting third‑reading speaking time on House bills from 10 minutes to five minutes. He also said the committee substitute alters standing committee organization, reducing the total number of standing committees and adding a Commerce Committee.

The nut graf: The committee approved the substitute by roll call after extended discussion, 7 ayes to 2 nos. Supporters said the package will let more bills proceed and reduce end‑of‑session omnibus practices; opponents and some members of both parties raised concerns about possible limits on members’ ability to offer cleanup amendments and the shortened third‑reading time for closing remarks.

Committee discussion and concerns

Several committee members praised the broad goals while flagging specific concerns. Representative Prouty said she agreed with the intent of Rule 49’s distribution requirement for amendments to the amendment but warned it may interact poorly with Rule 39’s filing deadline and the practical need to fix drafting errors on the floor. Riley responded that the existing practice—stalling debate briefly while staff at the amendment bar prepare a cleanup amendment—would remain possible so long as the cleanup amendment is filed and distributed before the member is called. He said he would re‑examine the language to ensure the rule does not unintentionally bar members from offering legitimate cleanup amendments.

Representative Woods asked whether the germane requirement for amendments to the amendment (Rule 72) might be redundant when the amendment is already germane to the bill; Riley said the change is intended to prevent bills from “exploding” with unrelated material and to force more advanced preparation. Representative Hovis and others echoed concerns about overly broad omnibus bills and cited recent state Supreme Court decisions challenging such practices.

Representative Anderson said he supported most rule changes but stated, “I cannot vote for it,” citing the time limit cut in Rule 87 and concern that minority members rely on longer third‑reading time as a floor tool. Representative Woods likewise said she would not support the package for the same reason. Representative Prouty, Representative Burns, Representative Faulkner, Representative Cabralow, Representative Matheson, Vice Chair Hovis and Chair Poushey voted in favor.

Committee substitute details and committee structure changes

Riley and members described the specific committee‑structure edits in the substitute. The substitute removes several standing committees that existed in the prior General Assembly and consolidates or renames others: the Healthcare Reform Committee, Rules Regulatory Oversight Committee, World Community Development Committee and Transportation Infrastructure Committee were removed; workforce and infrastructure development responsibilities were folded into Higher Education, which becomes Higher Education and Workforce Development; and a new Commerce Committee was added. Riley said the standing committees are reduced from 36 to 32 in the substitute; special committees remain at speaker discretion.

Formal action

The committee adopted the House Committee Substitute for HR 7 and then voted the substitute “do pass” on a roll call vote. The roll call named seven aye votes and two no votes; the motion carried. The committee chair announced the vote tally as 7 ayes and 2 nos and adjourned.

Why it matters

If adopted by the full House, the package would alter how many bills members may file and how floor debate and amendment procedures operate. Supporters say the changes let more bills proceed, reduce late‑session omnibus additions, and provide more opportunities for members to speak on third reading by shortening individual time. Opponents worry the changes could curtail members’ tactical tools on the floor and could unintentionally block needed technical or cleanup amendments unless the rules’ language is clarified.

What happens next

Riley said he would review the language of Rule 49 after committee members raised the concern that its wording could prevent members who have spoken from later offering amendments to an amendment; he indicated cleanup language could be circulated before the floor debate next week. The substitute moves to the next stage in the House process per committee action.