Ways and Means Committee opens 2025 session, sets testimony and staffing rules

At its first 2025 organizational meeting, the Ways and Means Committee laid out rules for testimony, introduced new staff and reviewed committee logistics, the committee chair said.

The chair emphasized process changes that affect members, bill sponsors and public witnesses, including a new microphone and closed-captioning system in every committee room, limits and deadlines for oral and written testimony and guidance on amendments, voting packets and subcommittee responsibilities.

The committee’s meeting packet includes staff contact information, an updated snack fee and other housekeeping details that members must return to committee staff, the chair said. The committee also announced a March 20 committee dinner with a $120 per-member charge and said staff attendance at that event will be paid from committee funds.

Closed captioning and audio: The chair told…